Sin or Symptom
When the Real Problem Hides Behind the Obvious One
"Sin can be forgiven — and in forgiveness is freedom, and in freedom is Truth."
Sin is often a symptom of the problem, not the problem itself. There always exists an underlying weakness that makes one susceptible to sin. And that weakness becomes a magnet for failure — in career, in relationships, and in every other dimension of a well-lived life.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus." — Romans 3:23–24
Sinning for Salvation
The most common pattern I have observed in society today is what I call sinning for salvation. Many times we are drawn to initiate dangerous and self-destructive behaviors as a way of escaping our current situation or circumstance. In a total disregard for all things logical, we begin to seek sin to replace the pains of the present.
Present is a very interesting word — one we should never take for granted. This instant is our true gift and all that is real. When we take deliberate steps to detach ourselves from the now, we forfeit our existence and release ourselves from the Promise.
"Now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." — 2 Corinthians 6:2
The Promise is in being all that we were created to be. It is what we are supposed to do. In order to live it out, we must remain present — continually. All that we need to fulfill our destiny is available to us right now. When we take alternate routes, we sidestep our right to happiness, purpose, and abundance.
"I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." — John 10:10
Keep Your Eyes on the Ball
What we are often missing are the tools we need to continue our mission. The signs are everywhere. If we don’t keep our eyes on the ball, we will continually drop it. We need to slow down. Take the ball. Wait a moment.
It is our responsibility to be still, pay attention, and observe. This is how we access divine guidance. Most often, the things we need to continue our journey are right in front of us — but if we become distracted and look sideways, we will miss what God has placed directly in our path.
"There is a reason why God put our eyes in the front of our heads."
"Be still, and know that I am God." — Psalm 46:10
Sin is the distraction that causes us to veer off course. It pulls us away from the Source of all things and causes us to spiral downward, away from the Promise. It is the perfect trap — and it leads into a perfect storm.
"Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." — 1 Peter 5:8
Grasping at Straws
Time and again I have counseled couples who have unknowingly become victims of this debilitating pattern. In the midst of chaos, they begin grasping at straws in a futile attempt to regain control of their lives. With finances in turmoil, a deep sense of emptiness, and both partners deep in a victim stance, they take the first step toward everything they never actually wanted.
Now they are more than willing to sacrifice eighty percent of all they have for twenty percent of what they merely perceive they are missing.
"Often we turn to sin for simplicity and end up with complications and confusion."
They begin to rationalize that the people in their lives are responsible for making them happy. Guess what? They are not. Happiness comes from within. It must be rooted in spirit, heart, and soul. From the essence of all that we are comes the force that attracts all that we are worthy to receive. We are responsible for our own happiness. We will only get what we are willing to give.
"The kingdom of God is within you." — Luke 17:21
"Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." — Luke 6:38
The Biggest Distraction of All
Here is the typical scenario. Our partner is not making us happy. We become convinced that somewhere out there exists the perfect person who will satisfy our every need. So the hunt begins. The fact of the matter is: that person does not exist.
The illusion usually begins with the biggest distraction of them all — lust. This physical impulse can make us believe we have discovered the answer to all our problems — that we can now detach from everything we know and fall freely into the unknown. It is an addiction that draws us away from genuine love and commits our souls to the consequences of disordered desire.
"But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart." — Matthew 5:28
The Catechism is direct about the nature of lust and its consequences:
"Lust is disordered desire for or inordinate enjoyment of sexual pleasure. Sexual pleasure is morally disordered when sought for itself, isolated from its procreative and unitive purposes." — CCC 2351
The obsession takes hold and we rapidly move toward the end of all things present — into the possibilities of what may or may not be. We have been snagged, snatched, and hooked by sin.
Fool’s Gold
What is really going on here? There is a preexisting condition that has caused these symptoms to arise. We have not yet discovered all that we were created to be. Instead of searching for the cure, we have put a bandage on the problem. We may pluck the dandelion — but if we don’t get to the root, another will soon take its place.
Identifying the problem is crucial to formulating the path to recovery. In this scenario, the person is not yet able to exist fully as One — and therefore cannot contribute fully to All. They have failed to identify who they are and why they are here. They are searching for the soul’s recognition of God’s gift — but instead they find fool’s gold. The passion they are experiencing is not real. It is not the passion of someone living within God’s purpose.
"There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." — Proverbs 14:12
The Catechism speaks to the disorder that sin introduces into our interior life:
"Sin creates a proclivity to sin; it engenders vice by repetition of the same acts. This results in perverse inclinations which cloud conscience and corrupt the concrete judgment of good and evil." — CCC 1865
As we justify our actions, we actually ground ourselves in inaction. Instead of climbing to the top of the tree to see where we are going, we keep venturing out on various branches, hoping to catch a glimpse without putting in the work. The further we go out on the branch, the less it can support us. And that branch will only bend so far before it breaks.
Get to the Root
This is true in all things. If we fail to recognize the cause, the symptoms will continually persist. Whether it is sexual sin, addiction, or any other obsession, the principle remains the same: we cannot achieve lasting success if we refuse to admit the real problem exists. Only by addressing the true root of the issue will we be able to flourish — in career, in relationships, and in every dimension of life.
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." — James 5:16
It is very easy to blame others, cast ourselves as the victim, and construct elaborate stories about why we are the way we are. But the truth is this: we can turn our lives around on a dime. Once we identify the real problem, the solution follows. The mercy of God is never the obstacle. Our willingness to be honest is.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." — 1 John 1:9
"Sin can be forgiven — and in forgiveness is freedom, and in freedom is Truth."
The Promise was never revoked. It is still there. Waiting. Right in front of you.