I often tell people if they are struggling and fighting against sin, that’s a good sign of the Spirit’s work within them. Whereas the sinner is at home in his sin, the believer knows his only true home is in Christ. So ultimately what separates the Christian struggling with sin to the unbeliever in sin is that the Christian is looking to Christ to save him whereas an unbeliever relies on his own efforts. 

Recently a regular reader of Gentle Reformation wrote me asking some questions about sin in the life of the believer. In particular, he asked in so many words, “How can someone know if they are a legitimate Christian struggling with sin versus an unbeliever in sin? And what should a Christian struggling with sin do when he feels defeated?” What follows is my letter to him (slightly edited for public posting). As I have been asked these types of questions before, I share it in the hope it can be of use to others.

Dear Reader,

Regarding a Christian struggling in sin and a non-Christian in sin, I agree they can look similar in some ways. However, there is an important difference where the answer is contained within your own question. It’s the idea of struggle.

When the Holy Spirit regenerates a heart and brings faith in Christ with repentance of sin, the soul of the new believer has a new fundamental disposition not found in the unbeliever.

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