We had a conversation Sunday during our study of James about what to do when we have sinned, and I want to share those Bible promises that I referenced again here.

First, I mentioned a verse that I couldn’t locate right away, but the verse is Jeremiah 17:9  and it says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Jeremiah reminds us that however righteous we may think we are on the outside, inside we are still sinful humans who are easily lured to act upon temptation, we are fully capable to react with evil, and we can easily hear ourselves saying hurtful things.

So what should be our response when we sin?

Start with opening your Bible and in faith claim these three promises…

1 John 1:9 – “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

This promise assures you that you are not only forgiven, but completing restored to perfect righteousness in God’s eyes. Just for illustration sake, if your sin was to be liken to an automobile accident, God does not just bang the dent out making it smoother, He restores the vehicle to mint new condition!

Psalms 51:12 – “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.”

This promise assures you that your feeling is the dictator of your standing with your heavenly Father. Don’t wait to feel right, but in faith know that you are made “right” with God through Him. Through faith, be joyful about being restored and know that His Spirit will sustain you as you seek to stay on track with Him.

Psalm 103:12 – “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us.”

This promise assures you that God has removed that sin from you and it is now not within your reach. Don’t worry about falling for that sin again, it’s unreachable, but in case you do 1 John 2:1 reminds us “we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” and make a beaten path back to these promises!

The Christian life is a march and a battle. The war has been won, but the battle still rages in our lives and will “until this mortal shall have put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:54).

Until then, let’s “grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen” (2 Peter 3:18).