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Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. (Matthew 5:4)

The Greek word for “mourn” is pentheo. It represents the strongest emotion of its kind in the Greek language, as it has to do with feelings that are associated with death. Sin separates us from God, and leads to death. Therefore, holding on to sin is the same as rejecting life for death. It’s an intentional act of rejecting God.

How do you mourn over your sin? Well, as strongly as you feel about the thought of losing a loved one, you should feel the same about losing a moment of victory over temptation. For when sin is embraced, it hurts your connection with God, and temporarily takes His place in your life.

It’s a deception to believe the pleasures of sin constitute happiness. While it may make you feel good for a moment, its end is death. Those who understand this should have no desire to sin; yet, many anxiously run to its call when temptation knocks at the door.

There is hope in Christ for victory! He has the power to break the grip sin has on your life, and to remove the stain of guilt it leaves behind. The first step to receiving this power is to claim the grace God freely offers you through Jesus Christ. Then you need to acknowledge the dreadful impact sin has had on your life and surrender it to God. The comfort comes when you allow God to replace the death you have embraced with the new life He wants you to put on in Jesus Christ.

Mourning over your sin means you want your life to be rid of it. That’s when you confess it to God. When you enter that experience, the grace of God will take hold of you and set you free from the guilt that is associated with your sin. Thus, you will find comfort in Christ as you walk the narrow way which leads to life.

© Chris S. Esty