Struggling with Sin? NFL Player Has a Powerful Reminder

Published: March 6, 2026

pexels-lucasandrade-2862718 — Photo by Lucas Andrade via Pexels

By Mallory Mattingly

Do you ever feel the weight of your past sins? Atlanta Falcons running back Nathan Carter wants you to remember that Jesus is our defender, no matter what lies the enemy sends our way.

“During my first year of college, I struggled with my faith, mistakenly believing that accumulating knowledge about God was enough for a genuine relationship with Him. This led me to engage in wrong relationships and activities, convincing myself that I was beyond the reach of forgiveness or love,” Carter began a new Instagram post.

“My sins were private yet exposed to my enemy, leaving me feeling unlovable and trapped in shame,” he recalled. “A phone call from my father began to break down my walls as he showed me unconditional love and reminded me of my true identity. All accusations faded, and I finally felt free.”

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We all experience something similar, as we are all up against the same enemy: Satan.

“We all face a common accuser: Satan, who relentlessly accuses believers before God,” the running back wrote. He explained that Satan “roams the earth to gather evidence against us. To discredit God’s work and seek to destroy what He has built.”

“Satan’s accusations are personal and brutal; he aims to steal our joy and sense of identity. He whispers lies that convince us that we are unworthy, unlovable, and lacking in value. He exploits both our past and present to ultimately break our relationship with God,” Carter described.

But thankfully, we have a powerful defender.

“Jesus stands as our defender,” Carter said. “Jesus doesn’t argue our innocence because we are not; instead, He covers us with His own righteousness. Just as God upheld Moses’ standing [in Numbers 12], Christ secures ours before the Father and adopts us into God’s family. Moses was defended as God’s servant; we are defended as God’s children.”

“Jesus defends us against accusations, including those from our past sins. This is why the gospel frees us! Jesus intercedes and advocates for us at the Father’s right hand. Christ died for our sins and rose for our justification, meaning that in Him we are no longer condemned. Satan, our accuser, is defeated, so we don’t need to fear any accusations because we are free from condemnation.”

Carter referenced several Bible verses that proclaim Jesus’ finished work for us on the cross.

Romans 8:1: “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 8:34: “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”
Colossians 2:14: “Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross.”

“Christ came to suffer and die for us, ensuring we are never abandoned. We don’t need to be burdened by our past sins or by the enemy’s whispers. In Christ Jesus, we are made new, forgiven, and free from the bondage of sin and shame,” Carter concluded. “Today, walk in the freedom that Christ has secured for you!”

Though Christians will continue wrestle with Satan’s lies, we can stand in the truth that Jesus proclaims over us.

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