Identifying our Sin Patterns for Growth in Godliness
February 20th, 2023 • by Meredith Boggs
We see the signs when our spouse is stressed: the deep sigh, the shifting, the twitching, the anxious energy. They haven’t told us they’re overwhelmed, but we’ve seen this pattern of behavior before.
If you’re a parent, you may remember the chaos of the newborn phase as you tried to figure out what your baby needed when they cried. But over the days and months you came to know your baby more, picking up on their habits, preferences, and patterns. You knew exactly what a specific cry meant by the pitch, length, and intensity.
Pattern recognition is programmed into us as human beings. Our brains are wired for simplification and categorizing like-kinds so that we can recall and respond quickly and accordingly.
Identifying our sin patterns is a way we can rely on this skill of pattern recognition to walk more faithfully as Christians. Perhaps you’ve never thought of your sin tendencies in this way, but I hope by highlighting some patterns it will help you steward this skill in a way that leads to spiritual transformation and Spirit-empowered dependence.
“Identifying our sin patterns can help us to walk more faithfully as Christians. ”
Here are a few categories of sins you might recognize:
Gluttony/Lust
It’s easy to want to check this one off the list of ‘non-issues’, as we typically associate gluttony with an overindulgence of food, alcohol, or drugs and lust as being sexual in nature. But these two pair together in the sense that they are a general too-much-ness in the way we approach life.
Gluttony can show up in the endless pursuit of more, where enough is never quite enough and we are constantly chasing the ever elusive “next thing.” It can be characterized by a continual lack of contentment with what we have.
Likewise, lust can be any unbridled desire we allow to control us, instead of being self-controlled like Scripture calls us to. While lust can obviously include sex, it could also be present in the form of consumption, entertainment, consumerism, and the conversations we choose to engage in. Philippians 3:19 speaks clearly to the downfall of allowing gluttony and lust go unbridled; “Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.” Identifying patterns of gluttony and lust in your life is the first step in surrendering those desires and finding freedom.
Resentment/Anger
It’s important to make the distinction that emotions themselves are not sinful. However, how we act out of those emotions can be sinful. Anger is not a sin, but it can cause us to stumble down a sinful pathway if we allow it to fester and build into resentment and bitterness.
Paul speaks to the importance of dealing with our anger promptly in Ephesians 4:26: “Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” While he does not literally mean we must resolve our anger before going to bed, it’s important to address it quickly so that it does not become toxic to ourselves and those around us. Picking up on your pattern of anger can help you notice where you may be slipping into resentment or harboring hatefulness towards someone. As believers, we can take the step of working to resolve the issue and forgiving the offender of any wrongdoings they may have committed against us.
Worry/Fear
In the sin pattern of worry and fear, we find again the nuance of emotions and how they can lead to sinfulness if left unchecked. Fear—one of the most primal human emotions—can actually save our lives. Fear is not bad, and it’s not a sin. But if we do not address fear when it emerges, taking it to the Lord in prayer and petition, it can become a deep-seated worry.
Worry, though natural to our human flesh, is an unproductive and unwise use of our energy and time. Allowing our minds to be consumed by worry is a subtle signal of our disbelief in the sovereignty of God. “Do not fear” is a commandment given multiple times throughout the Old and New Testaments. This commandment not only keeps us away from the sinful pattern of worry but also allows us to live with the peace that surpasses understanding found in Christ (Phil. 4:6).
“As you seek to weed out the sin in your life, lean on the strength of the Spirit to help you walk in obedience. ”
Sloth/Indolence
Sloth and indolence can often present as more subtle forms of laziness, which is repeatedly rebuked in Proverbs. This sin pattern may not be as overt as other visibly destructives ones, but the damage is just as extensive. Ecclesiastes 10:18 highlights the detrimental effects of this sin pattern; “Through sloth the roof sinks in, and through indolence the house leaks.” A small leak in the roof may not seem like a serious issue at first, but if left unattended it can cause thousands of dollars in repairs.
Sloth and indolence, when it comes to matters of spiritual importance, can have detrimental effects on our faith. Laziness in spiritual disciplines (prayer, worship, time the Word), in our field of work, or our daily household responsibilities are just a few ways this sin pattern emerges.
Pride/Martyrdom
Arrogance and pride are two terms that are commonly used interchangeably but are vastly different. Arrogance presents as overt boastfulness in one's abilities or strengths, while pride tends to be more indirect, not appearing to be self-focused. Martyrdom is a way pride quietly presents itself when we habitually sacrifice ourselves on the altar of caring for others. While serving others is biblical, doing so to excess, out of a desire to be acknowledged, or in a way that is led by pride is not. Believing that you can and should meet those needs, and doing so at your personal expense, is a way pride can present by relying on your strength and self-sufficiency instead of the all-sufficiency of Christ. This sin pattern of pride is important to pay attention to so that we can continue to be transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit into the likeness of Christ.
A Word of Encouragement
Maybe you recognize one of these sin patterns in your own life? Don’t be discouraged. Recognizing your tendencies towards certain sins is the first step in fighting sin and walking in obedience. And take heart—there is good news offered in the gospel!
Thanks be to God and his redeeming grace, the penalty for our sin was paid for once and for all by the atoning work of Christ on the cross. But the painstaking journey of transformation is one we will walk until we are home at last in Heaven. Recognizing sinful patterns in our lives that can become habitual if left unchecked is important because it helps us to quickly acknowledge and address the areas that keep us from being conformed into the likeness of Christ.
As you seek to weed out the sin in your life, lean on the strength of the Spirit to help you walk in obedience. Remember Christ’s work on your behalf. And trust that God, who began a good work in you, is faithful to bring it to completion (Phil. 1:6).
Meredith Boggs is the author of The Journey Home: A Biblical Guide to Using the Enneagram to Deepen Your Faith & Relationships. Her work has been featured by Lifeway, Relevant Magazine, Grit & Virtue, and YouVersion. She is s critical care transport nurse and a sexual assault forensic nurse examiner. Married to her high school sweetheart Justin, they live in Nashville, Tennessee with their wild and sweet boy Jack.
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