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Why can't I stop sinning?
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Asked July 01 2013
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Anonymous (via GotQuestions)
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S. Michael Houdmann
Supporter
Every believer has, at one time or another, lamented his or her inability to stop sinning. While we tend to think the problem stems from weakness in ourselves, the inability to stop sinning usually...
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Glenn Harrell
Supporter
Why can't I stop sinning? Answer: Because I keep breathing! When God makes us a new creation in Christ, he removes the obligation we have to sin, not the potential. He removes the penalty of sin, not our propensity. True children don't disobey their parents simply because they can. They do so because it is a potential right before them--a potential that is realized when desire overcomes determination. So these children disobey and commit actions and harbor attitudes that are contrary to their parents. This makes them no less members of the family. They are merely demonstrating that looking and acting like the family they belong to is a lifelong process. At some point in their lives, being a proper representative of the family will be almost effortless--habitual if you will. But this will take time and cooperative drive, consistent with the cause. Much of why we sin is habitual. I have known many folks through the years who developed patterns of dirty speech long before they became a Christian. God's Spirit inside of them tells them that their tongue is a problem and they hear that voice. Yet time is needed for habits to break as a new speech--one seasoned with grace--is forming within this soul. Much of why we continue to sin is cultural. We live in a fallen, sinful world--a world that is most often unashamed of sin. These people of the world actually make sin look fun, healthy and normal. For them it is because they are yet dead to God. They have no ambition to "act" like something they are not--namely Christian. So PLEASE, PLEASE Christians; Stop insisting that non-believers clean up their act and behave themselves. Doing so will not save them or make them acceptable to God (Romans 4:4) We are not their judge--God is, and he will take care of them. He is long-suffering towards them--as we should be because we belong to Him. A true sign that we belong to God is that we love what he loves, care how he cares and that we live out our faith in love. Remember, "you have to catch the fish before you clean it." We continue to sin in ignorance. We fail to realize that we are dead to sin and alive to God. (the exact opposite of a non-believer) It takes time for the believer to mature to the place where he or she not only hears God within but also acts on His promptings. We continue in sin because we feed the wrong desires. "Don't blame God when you are tempted!. God cannot be tempted by evil, and he doesn't use evil to tempt others. We are tempted by our own desires that drag us off and trap us. Our desires make us sin, and when sin is finished with us, it leaves us dead." (James 1:13-15) When believers sin, we are hypocritical because we are not acting like who we really are. All Christians are hypocritical throughout their lives. Not so much because of what we do, but who we are not becoming. God says that we are "SAINTS". He has reckoned us HOLY. He means to make us more like JESUS; Sooner than later. Are you worried that you can't "do it"? Good! Just go ahead and settle it in your heart and soul. YOU CAN'T. But the good news is that God can and he will. "God is working in you to make you willing and able to obey him." (Philippians 2:13) Quitting sin is about starting: 1-Start exercising your faith in prayer and dependence upon God. 2-Start reading the bible as an act of worship 3-Start doing your faith. Deeds of good works, not to become or remain a Christian--rather because you ARE a Christian. 4-Start agreeing with God about who you are. You are his child with all its benefits. (I Peter CHAPTER 2) 5-Start running the race before you. "I have not yet reached my goal, and I am not perfect. But Christ has take hold of me. So I keep running and struggling to take hold of the prize. (Philippians 3:12-15) 6-Start separating yourselves from this world. "Since the people of this world did not know who Christ is, they don't know who we are." (I John 3:1; 2:15-17) 7-Start sharing your faith. "As you go, make disciples"
Colin Wong
Supporter
Do we stop sinning after accepting Christ? The context to this question is - despite our knowledge of right and wrong, we still do the things we should not do, and we do not do the things we should do (Romans 7:15). We do not want to sin but despite our resolve, we simply are still incapable of following through. Why? Sanctification After we accept Jesus Christ and we offer repentance to the Lord and we live by faith through grace, we become a "new" man. Our "dead" spirit is made alive through the Holy Spirit. But while the spirit is made anew, the mind is not. Romans 12:2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will. The Holy Spirit sanctifies us daily in the renewing of our mind, and we depend on the Holy Spirit to change. That fallen nature of ours decreases daily, as the Holy Spirit increases in us. It is a process. It does not happen over-night. This is the reason why we live in grace. Because we cannot do it on our own, and no amount of "works" we do can be perfect. We are simply incapable on our own. Romans 8:5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. Therefor focus on the Holy Spirit. Focus on God. Submission Simply put, we do not have the ability to stop sinning on our own. But it is the Holy Spirit in us that sanctifies us daily, that affords us the ability to get there. And the more we give in to Him, the closer we get to Him. On our own, it is not possible. We should take care not to give new believers the incorrect assumption that overnight, they become perfect. We all live in grace. We acknowledge that we are fallen and imperfect - that despite the best of our abilities, it is still like "filthy rags" unto the Lord. It is not about will-power. It is about submission to God. The more you submit, the less you will sin.
Tom howard
Supporter
Good word there Michael. That’s the ground work for standing. But there is more. The main reason for failure is that of identity. Do we as Christians know who we are in Christ? I hear so many believers call themselves“sinners”. Are we, really? Our new identity is righteousness in Christ. And once our mind is renewed in who we are, we will live more and more like our true identity- righteous sons and daughters of God. I contend that we no longer are considered sinners, though we “once were”, Obviously. But, there is such a litany of scripture to show we are no longer sinners. Here is a small sample; all of Romans chapter 6, most prestigious of them and I peter 2:24 rounds it up. But starting with Roman 6:6, “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.” This is the theme throughout Romans chapter 6. Verse 18 tells us that, “Being then made free from sin, you became the servants of righteousness.” I like the way Paul contrasted verse 20 and verse 22.Verse20, “For when you were the servants of sin, you were free from righteousness.” Conversely verse 22, 22 “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God,.” In other words, we are no longer under its dominion, for it to be master over us! You cant have it both ways. Its either one or the other. Its freedom from sin, or freedom from righteousness! James 3:11,12, “ Does a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? Either a vine, figs? So can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.” One can not serve two masters! 1 Peter 2:24 tells us the same thing, “Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness:” Were is the title “sinner” part of any thing here. After receiving all that Christ has done for us, how can we remain in sin? Can we sin? Oh sure, but is (a) not a conscious part of our “newness of life”, Romans 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”Our new life in Christ is marked by a freedom from sin, and not a freedom to sin. Its also (b) not what is expected of us! Romans 6:13; "Neither yield you your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are 'alive' from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God." Again, 1 Peter 2:21,22 "For even hereunto were you called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" Jesus is our example! This is what Jesus suffered and died for. “…that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness.” To continue to say, I am a sinner, is contrary to what God did for us and has for us. 1 John 3:5,6. Have we sinned? Yes, Romans 3:23, "For all 'have' sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Romans 5:12, "Wherefore, as by one man(Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all 'have' sinned:" Notice, "...have sinned". This is past tense! This is the truth that we came to, then we repented and believed the gospel. But we do not stay there! We grow in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord! Paul the great apostle said in Philippians 1:1 "to all the 'saints' in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi,". He called them saints over 55 times in New Testament, not sinners! All have this fallen sin nature. We have been born with it and when we are born again we do not lose it, we put the flesh aside as the ruling power over us with Galatians 5:16. This is the fight that Paul speaks about. A fight we are more than able to win! Paul tells us how;1 Cor. 9:27 “But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection"
Singapore Moses
Supporter
Look to Jesus. The answer is in Him. He was tempted like us "in all points" but He overcame (Heb 4:15). "He is able to aid those who are tempted" (Heb 2:18). On our part we are to first surrender the organs of our body as a living sacrifice on God's altar (Rom 12:1). We are no more ours. We are bought with a price. We belong to God. Make a covenant with your eyes that you will no more look at someone lustfully (Job 31:1). Present your hands to God so it may not touch the forbidden. And your legs not to go where Christ Himself would not go. And so on (Rom 6:13). Remind yourself of this commitment each morning. The power to say no to sin is yours by the indwelling Christ. You are dead, buried, raised and seated with Christ (Rom 6:3,4; Eph 2:4-6). Meditate on this fact of identification with Christ as often as possible. To receive a fresh supply of strength to resist temptation Christ has taught us to pray. Our body of flesh and blood is weak. Our desire to overcome temptation becomes effective only when we "watch and pray" (Mt 26:41). When Christ was tempted He wielded the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God, against Satan (Mt 4:4,7,10; Eph 6:17). Be regular in Bible meditation. David hid God's Word in his heart that he might not sin against Him (Psa 119:11). Saturate yourself with the Scriptures. Memorize as many verses as you can. At the hour of temptation the Holy Spirit will bring to your remembrance the right text (Jn 6:14-26). Don't be a loner. You need the fellowship of God's children. "If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble" (Eccl 4:9-12). Everytime you overcome temptation the battle will only be intensified. The "roaring lion" will be after you (1 Pet 5:8). But "He who is in you is greater that he who is in the world" (1 Jn 4:4). Take refuge under the blood of Jesus. Depend on His grace. "Sin shall not have dominion over you!" (Rom 6:14).
Andy Mangus
Supporter
My short answer put forth in an 'easy to grasp format' is this: (Ref: Rom 8:34 and Rom 8:26) ***Every Child of God STILL lives inside their 'human flesh and blood physical body and so just as the Apostle Paul stated several times, "we struggle daily with the desires of the flesh" but We have Christ as our intercessor to the Father!*** First, when you receive Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, You and your heart receives His Holy Spirit to come in, cleanse your soul of all unrighteousness and take up residence IN your heart to guide you, direct your paths and be that 'still, quite small voice and comforter' that "will never leave you, nor forsake you". (Ref: Galatians 5:16)But, here is 'the kicker' that I think for many is what is forgotten or overlooked....You and each and everyone of us still live in our fleshly bodies; still living in a 'wickedly sinful world' that has Satan "roaming about like a roaring lion; seeking whom he may devour"! (1 Peter 5:8) This daily challenge is and can be demanding and a difficult struggle unless we "daily put on the whole armor of God, trusting in His Holy Spirit guidance, protection and blessings" in all that we think or do! (Ephesians 6:10,11,13,17). God tells us "He will never leave us, nor forsake us, for by seeking His righteousness by His grace we shall have a home in heaven for all eternity." This is what scripture tells us in (Hebrews 13:5). ***Praise God for the power and perseverance that God gives us through His indwelling Holy Spirit"*** --Andy--
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
Why can't we stop sinning? Because we are descendants of Adam and have as a result inherited his anti-God attitude of mind and thus follow after the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes and the pride of possessions. Notice: this is what goes on inside all of us as human being who are in the body of the anointed one Jesus: Galatians 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that you cannot do the things that you would. James 4:5 Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit [of Adams anti-God rebellion] that dwells in us lusts to envy? How can we resist and overcome the desires of the flesh and follow the leading of the Spirit of Jesus and His God and Father in us is to recognize the following and believe in completely: Realize this: Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with the anointed one: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but the anointed one lives in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the son of God, who loves me, and gave himself for me. Realize who we are now and what is expected of us! 2 Cor:6:16- 7:1: you are the temple of the living God [individually and collectively as God's Assembly]; as God has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore come out from among them, and be you separate, says YHVH, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and you shall be my sons and daughters, saith YHVH Almighty. Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. What are we to do? Rom:13:14:.... put you on the lord Jesus the anointed one, and don't make provision for the flesh, to fulfil the desires thereof. Why? Romans 8:13 For if you live after the flesh, you shall die [the second death]: but if you through the Spirit do mortify [put to death] the deeds of the body - resist and overcome the desires of the flesh, you shall live. Galatians 6:8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit [of God] shall of the Spirit [of God] reap age upon age lasting life. What are we now? Philippians 3:3 For we are the circumcision [heart circumcision], who worship God in the spirit [spirit in man], and rejoice in the anointed one Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. We will not stop sinning in this lifetime: 1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. What is the answer for us? 1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus the righteous anointed one. 1 John 3:5 And you know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Amazing grace that God has given us an advocate to approach Him on our behalf to plead our case before his God and his Father and to remind Him that his shed blood is on the mercy seat and that he is our propitiation, that because of his shed blood our sins are put aside and we are pronounce as not guilty before His throne. Jesus has promised to never leave us alone, he is always with us! We need to trust in the lord Jesus to assist us to overcome sin and our sinful nature which battles against his spirit in us, and to realize that this battle is one that is ongoing until we die or are resurrected into the soon coming Kingdom of God. We need to persevere, and hold fast to the end. 1Th 5:21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Hebrews 4:14 Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the son of God, let us hold fast our profession. Revelation 2:25 But that which you have already hold fast till I come. We have our all in the lord Jesus God's anointed one. Halil Yah
Myron Robertson
Supporter
There have been some very good answers given, and it is clear that Paul's discussions of the matter in Romans is very key to us being able to understand this correctly and fully. Unfortunately, due to mistranslation the statement Paul wrote in Romans that most directly answers your question has been mistranslated and does more to obscure our understanding than to answer your question. Paul gives a direct answer to this question in Romans 5:12 where we read in English translations that we are mortal because we have sinned. The fact that embryos and fetuses can be killed by abortion or die by miscarriage proves this is not the case. These children have not sinned yet, but very clearly are mortal. In the phrase, "... because all sinned," the Greek phrase translated because is eph ho. This phrase means on which -- "on which all have sinned." In other word, this is the cause of me sinning, not something that is caused by my sin. What is this cause? "Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people" Death came to all people because death entered through the sin of one man -- Adam. Because of Adam's sin death came upon the entire human race. This mortality that exists in all of us is the weakness that causes the rest of us to sin, and so long as we inhabit this tent (the mortal body) we will groan under its weakness (2 Corinthians 5:1-5). It is only once we receive the immortal body that we will no longer be able to sin. Paul tells us later in the book, and John confirms in his epistles that the new man of the spirit (the spirit within us) cannot sin (Romans 7 & 8, 1 John 3:9, 1 John 5:18). Yet so long as we remain in this body, which can do nothing but sin unless we will sin unless we are submitted to the spirit within us, yet because of the weakness of this body we cannot fully submit. Therefore God gives us grace to release us from the penalty of sin and the bondage it places on us. This is a long, deeply detailed passage which deals with the law of redemption. The section of this discourse covering death and why we sin extends from chapter 5 through chapter 8. You cannot understand this just by picking out one verse, or a short passage, even though Romans 5:12 definitively answers your question in a single sentence if it is properly translated. This passage is a small portion of a longer and more detailed passage dealing with how the laws of redemption free us from sin and bring us into the holiness of God. This passage begins in chapter 2 or the late verses of chapter 1 and extends through Romans 11. You cannot really understand such a subject with just a few verses and a few additional words of commentary, nor should you try. These 10 chapters of Romans are themselves only a beginning of an answer for the question you raised. As you progress through the process of sanctification you will become less likely to sin, but the mortal flesh has no power to do anything but sin, and so long as you remain in it you will sin, no matter what the good intentions of the spirit within you.
James Kraft
Supporter
God knows that we struggle with sin. He also knows that we do not have the power to overcome it but that He does. Some overcome sin by there own will and claim the glory for themselves. God wants us to confess our sin and tell Him that we are weak and only He can save us from our sin because that is the truth. If we could overcome sin using the flesh, we would not need Jesus. We could save ourselves and go to heaven by our own goodness. By confessing our weaknesses to God, which is the truth, we have opened ourselves up to His power to over come. Depending on what the sin is, only He is able to overcome it. Confess the sin that so often besets us, and thank Him for His grace that He will remove it. As we confess our weaknesses to Him, and thank Him, He will fight the battle for us. He may not take it away right away, but it will eventually be gone. Thank Him ahead of time and remind Him that it is His battle not ours. Remember to give Him all the glory for overcoming what we could not do ourselves. Jesus knows our every weakness, take it to the Lord in prayer. That old Hymn is the truth. Our sin keeps us humble and looking to Jesus the author and finisher of our faith. We are able to love others that also struggle with sin as we also do. Do not try to take away the thorn in your flesh that God has put there for His purpose. It is there to keep you humble and to keep you from self righteousness. God does hate pride. All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God. If we say we have no sin we are a liar and do not the truth. Love one another.
Vincent Mercado
Supporter
You cannot stop sinning because you CHOOSE to sin. It is possible to stop sinning if you DECIDE to. Stop making excuses (I am human so I sin, or, It's in my nature). St Paul speaks about "driving and training" his body, and you should do the same. Try this: Sit in silence and pray for 5 seconds. If you can do this, congratulations! You did not sin for 5 seconds. Now try extending those 5 seconds of sinless life longer. Persevere, don't let go of the wheel. If you sin again, "drive and train" yourself again.
Jim Tumlinson
Supporter
Rom 7 Do you not know, brothers — for I am speaking to men who know the law — that the law has authority over a man only as long as he lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage. 3 So then, if she marries another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress, even though she marries another man. 4 So, my brothers, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit to God. 5 For when we were controlled by the sinful nature, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. 7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. 13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful. 14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? 25 Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin. NIV Bottom line is we have sin in our flesh, but like Paul says thanks be to God because of Jesus we are covered
Daniel Carlson
Supporter
Sin is the cause of death. It was true in the time of Adam and Eve, and it’s still true today! Before Adam’s fall, death had no power over their lives. It was only after they disobeyed that the seed of mortality entered their physical bodies. Disobedience caused them to die in two ways: spiritually—which consists of being separated from an intimate relationship with our heavenly Father—as well as physically. After their transgression, they were thrust out of the Garden of Eden so they could not partake of the fruit of the Tree of Life: And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die” (Gen. 2:16-17). On the very day of our first parent’s disobedience, their bodies lost their undying qualities, the seed of death was planted in their beings, and they ceased to be immortal. This truth is substantiated in both the Old and New Testaments: The soul who sins shall die [physically & spiritually] (Ezek. 18:20). The wages of sin is death [physical and spiritual] (Rom. 6:23). Through one man, sin entered the world, and death through sin, and so death [physical and spiritual] spread to all men, because all have sinned (Rom. 5:12). When sin is full-grown, it brings forth death [physical and spiritual] (Jas. 1:15). We see that both physical and spiritual death, are the consequence of disobedience. But at the same time, God has made a glorious provision to take away our sins and set us free from their inevitable consequences: The sting of death is sin… But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:56-57). The Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death (Rom. 8:2). As in Adam we die, even so in Christ we shall be made alive (1 Cor. 15:22). Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law [death] (Gal. 3:13). And you who were dead in your sins, He has made alive, having forgiven all your trespasses (Col. 2:13). That’s the secret! That’s how Enoch conquered death—by overcoming sin through faith! I need to keep reminding myself, “Without faith it is impossible to please God, for He is rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” Let’s remember what Paul wrote: The last enemy that will be destroyed is death… Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 15:26; 54-57). Sin is the venom of a poisonous snake. It is breaking, ignoring and disobeying God’s life-giving laws. “The soul that sins shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). Death is the natural outgrowth of sin, but through the power of Christ, we can have victory over sin. And by having victory over the sins in our lives, even death can be swallowed up in victory. That’s the Gospel truth! I hear a clamor in the Christian world: “No one’s perfect.” “No one can live a sinless life.” “We can try our best to be good, but when it comes to making a complete break from sin, forget it!” Are these statements true? Where does it say that in the Bible? Or is this merely how most Christians think? My opinions and words aren’t worth a plug nickel. The Bible's Author is the final word for every argument involving the true teachings of Christ! Jesus emphatically commanded us: You shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect (Mt. 5:48). Be holy, for I am holy (1 Peter 1:16). How perfect do I think Heavenly Father is? Just enough to get by? Or is He totally perfect? How holy do I think Jesus is? “Holy” means “sacred, physically pure, and morally blameless.” But, how could I, a mere mortal, ever expect to be holy or perfect? And yet that’s exactly what the Lord says He expects of us.
MONA FERNANDEZ
Supporter
To be precise, we humans are born in original sin, hence the Word of God says we must be born again of imperishable seed, through the living and abiding word of God. To be Born Again, we must be filled with the Spirit and the washing of the word; water. Water Baptism is a command of God for all who believe in Jesus and the finished work of the Cross. When we obey Gods commands and do what He commands, we are filled with the Holy Spirit and it is only the Holy Spirit who convicts us of all wrong doing. He is the helper, comforter and teacher given to us, remember? As a believer, we learn to depend on Jesus through His Spirit. we also must know our inheritance in Christ Jesus, and remember His Holy Spirit is now dwelling in us, we are the temple of God, no longer made by hands. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you in all your weaknesses and He will, daily wear the Armour of God (Ephesians 6:10-23.)' say psalm 91 too everyday. Say Lord " seal every weak point in me with your precious blood." The Lord loves the sinner, not their sins!
Bruce Lyon
Supporter
All sin is against God and as a result when we do sin we need to deeply repent of sinning against Him. We can only overcome our sinful nature by dying to self and committing ourselves completely to Him. As followers of the lord Jesus we are his slaves bought and paid for by his shed blood and has his slaves we are thus slaves to righteousness. Whatever God commands us to do through the words He gave to Jesus to give to us come with a promise. What is that promise? It is the promised power of His Spirit working in us and through us enabling us to do what He commands us to do. The power is available always, but we need to die to self in order to us it fully. When we realize that we have become new creations in the lord Jesus who is the beginning of God's new creation we will draw upon the power of God's Spirit to live out our lives victoriously in him. If self is holding you back from totally committing to the lord Jesus, reckon self to be dead. Don't you realize that when you walked into the waters of baptism you were walking into the death of yourself, the you died with God's anointed one Jesus and when you came up out of the water you did so in newness of life, having received God's Spirit to enable you to be renewed in you mind as a new creation to witness to other God's amazing grace. To get rid of self is to become God-centered in all you do! Jesus did just that!
Michael Morgan
Supporter
In reviewing the previous responses to this, I pray mine is unique, yet it is grounded in those given, and of course grounded in Scripture. First, our idea of "good or bad" is experienced in the only way we can, in our humanity. God, through the Scriptures, shows us the "Best" life and how we may receive it. Some my see it differently, but in it's simplest form, sin is simply rebellion to God and what/how we should live our lives. Here comes the key; God is Perfect..........and to come to Him, He requires that "WE" are perfect! Many diverge on this thought, but it is Biblical. As stated the previous responses, we are freed from the spiritual consequences of our sin/sins, by the shed blood of Christ, and our acceptance of His sacrifice and salvation. This is where we gain the eternal perfection which is necessary to live with our Father. Psalm 103:12. So though we still "sin", in our human existence, our hearts no longer accept it as ok or justifiable. This is because the Holy Spirit now dwells within us. (An earlier commentator mentioned "sanctification" which is the life-long process after being "justified by Christ".) I have stated before, and I admit I have found no Scriptural support so this is my feeling, that the Ten Commandments which are the foundations of our sense of right and wrong; are not the rules which we must adhere to, but the proof of our need for the saving work of Jesus! This is the perfection we would need to gain salvation upon our own........and we CAN NOT obtain it in and of ourselves. God knowing this, (and of course knowing ALL), in His great compassion and love for us, gave us Jesus (Himself). I will say for me, the great concept of how God loves and accepts me in my fallen and still fallible state, is infinitely beyond my human ability to love, understand and forgive; yet I know He does. Again in my own understanding, recently I believe our Father has given me an understanding that "Grace" is not just or simply forgiveness for our past, present and future sins; it is His Holy understanding of us and if we receive it, it keeps us from driving ourselves crazy because of our sadness that though we know and have accepted Jesus, we continue to "sin"/ rebel. As Paul tells us in Romans 6:1, we don't sin more to receive more Grace. Find some peace in this. The fact that we find sadness and regret that we continue to sin, is the proof of our submission to Christ, the proof of the active work of the Holy Spirit; not allowing us to ignore the Truth, as some do, (even some who profess Christ). A sermon from the Rev. Billy Graham on Nov. 26, 2000 @ 3:43 p.m. is what gave me the understanding that "I" will NEVER be strong enough, that it is ONLY in Christ that I may gain any strength to fight my sin! It was through this that I came to accept God's unconditional love for me, and it was there and then that I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior. So though we shall never be at peace with our sin, do not allow satan to divert and hinder your walk, relationship, or blessed service to our Savior; by focusing too much on our human failures, and not enough on His Love. I have not read of ANY great prophet, Apostle, or servant of God, in or out of Scripture who did not have faults and weakness. I pray this helps someone out there. Though I imagine this reflects much in the previous comments; maybe it speaks clearly to one. Gods peace to all.
Ben Jones
Supporter
From our mother's womb we were sinners (Psa 51:5) and the first time we were given the opportunity to either choose sin or choose righteousness, we chose to sin because of our proclivity to sin. We are doubly sinful. When we received Christ as Lord and Savior we were crucified with Christ, Gal 2:20 (so the old man is dead) but alas sin still reigns in our flesh which is alive and well as you have discovered (haven't we all!) I have been saved for over forty five years and I have discovered that God has a timetable for everything that will happen on earth and it will happen when He says it will and not one second either before or after. Absolutely everything happens in His time and His time only. Sometimes His time and our time coincide, but most of the time it does not. "To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven" Ecc 3:1. In other words God has declared that He is in charge of everything that you experience in life. When you pray to Him He will answer at just the right time. "But when the right time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, subject to the law." Gal 4:4. Could God have sent Jesus five years earlier? Yes, but He does everything in His time not ours. There were undoubtedly Jews that were praying for the Messiah to come for a thousand years before the year AD 33 (they still are) but God sent Him at "the right time." This is even true of stopping your desire to sin. This doesn't sound right does it? Surely God wants us to stop sinning the very instant we got saved, right? Do you know of anyone who got saved and immediately stopped all habitual; sin? I don't. God can prevent us from sinning anytime He chooses according to Gen 20:6. So what are we to do? When we sin, confess it and ask Him to remove our desire to sin, and at just the right time God WILL step in and remove the desire to sin. We must acknowledge that we are powerless over sin in our own strength but by the power of the Holy Spirit and at just the right time God will do it. Persevere persevere persevere. I have experienced this miracle at least four time in my life. Smoking cigarettes, heavy drinking, using filthy language and sexual addiction and all four times God had to step in and remove my desire to do that sin. I don't know about you but when I lose all desire to do a particular sin I won't do that sin. Am I sinless? No, God is still working on me, He made the world in six days but I am taking a lot longer!
Janet Hegna
Supporter
Why can't I stop sinning? Jesus said, "Your spirit is willing but your flesh is weak." Our flesh is weak! Our spirits have to overcome our flesh in order to overcome sin. As long as we are in these fleshly bodies, I don't believe that will happen. Only when we get our immortal bodies will that be possible. Glory be the day when my Jesus comes to get us, Hallelujah!
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