Q&A Home > R > Repentance Is it still considered repentance if you are trying so hard to leave the sin, but you still fall every time you are tempted but still continue to pray and ask God for forgiveness and feeling bad after you sin? As Christians, we are taught to live a life of repentance, day-to-day, and minute-by-minute. Our Lord Jesus Christ instituted the Holy Mystery of Confession to provide us with the needed absolution for the sins we commit. Absolution deletes our former sins and empowers us to strive toward a better and more pure relationship with God and with each other, but it is not a guarantee that we will not fall into temptation again. Therefore, this amazing sacrament can be repeated as often as needed. Keep struggling against these sins that tempt you the most. Do not get discouraged and confess often.
St. John Climacus (The Ladder of Divine Ascent; Paulist Press pg. 130): "Do not be surprised if you fall every day and do not surrender. Stand your ground bravely and you may be sure that your guardian angel will respect your endurance. A fresh, warm wound is easier to heal than those that are old, neglected, and festering, and that need extensive treatment, surgery, bandaging and cauterization. Long neglect can render many of them incurable. However, all things are possible with God (cf. Mt. 19:26)."
| |