Using the Pain of Sin to Avoid Sin

The end effect of sin is death.

For God created man incorruptible, and to the image of his own likeness he made him. But by the envy of the devil, death came into the world: Wisdom 2:23-24

Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death. James 1:15

Death of body is now necessary because of sin (Ecclesiastes 3:19, Romans 8:10), but the spirit is eternal.

Sin appeals because of our concupiscence. All God made is perfect, and it is by the perversion of the sins of those with free will which can be disordered, unnatural and evil. The goodness of God's creation coupled with a fallen will results in things which are sinful being somehow attractive based on what was good. It all started with pride, which is a choice in a being with free will, even ones without sin. The appeal of sin lies in a perversion of goodness. Usually, this appeal is based in the flesh. A person wanting to avoid sin is drawn to sin by their own flesh and mind:

But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. James 1:14

This is a very frustrating experience for those wanting to live without sin, because one is unable to avoid oneself. However, one can use the appeal of such sin against itself. It appeals to be angry, lustful, gluttonous, worldly and lazy because of the immediate reward we experience (which, for those who do not care for God, is a primary reward and enjoyable for its own sake), however, for those with the will to live without sin, there is often a strong remorse and self-loathing after committing such sins. This pain of sin results in the inability to truly rest or be at ease. The pain of a penitent person is a grace from God. It allows us to recognise our sins and to seek healing. This grace can be withheld, and a person must repent solely by one's own will (which is a punishment from God, and noted in Exodus 7:3, where God states He shall harden the heart of the Egyptian, and it was then only the choice of the Egyptian to do what was right, which he could have done), but while we have this grace, we should use it. It allows us, imperfect sinners, to avoid sin with the most basic functions. If it hurts, we will not do it. Sin hurts. If we remember this, we will not sin. Frequent sins will numb us to this effect and harden our hearts. Frequent confession, even when there is no grave need, will aid us in avoiding sin.

For those who may feel no effect, the choice is still to be made, by will alone. The grace from avoiding sin or repenting sin based only on a decision to turn to God is greater. We may feel differently over time. We may feel close to God or feel nothing at all. This is given to us by God to aid us. For it when we feel nothing, that the greatest grace may be granted. Steadfastness in the work of the Lord is the goal of the faithful:

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmoveable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Corinthians 15:58

The perfection of God is what God wants for us. To overcome, we must struggle. God will aid us in avoiding sin, but we must make the choice and do what must be done.