Einstein famously said, “the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.”
Thinking of this in our spiritual realm, isn’t this what we do when we continue to fall into sin? We sin, feel guilt, repeat sin expecting this time it will ‘feel good’, but, we feel guilt and repeat.
History unlearned is doomed to repeat itself.
“I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree that the law is good. So then it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells within me, that is, in my flesh. I can will what is right, but I cannot do it. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I do. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I that do it, but sin which dwells within me” Romans 7:15-20
Does God allow us to continue to fall into the same sin so that we may see the insanity of our actions and with eyes finally open, choose God over the world.
No doubt. He knows the hardness of our heart and thickness of our thought. He knows that often if take many times for us to fall on our face and get back up to actually learn and choose not to fall again. The key is that no matter how bad the sin nor how many times one falls into this sin(s), never despair, get right back up and keep pressing forward. Keep asking God to remove this thorn from you but, never despair if He doesn’t. If the thorn remains, it is for a special reason, to allow bigger growth.
“a thorn was given me in the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to harass me, to keep me from being too elated. Three times I besought the Lord about this, that it should leave me; but he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.”” 2 Corinthians 12:7-9