Do you sin as much as you know how to sin? This question grew our of a study of the excellent book, "The Mind of Christ" by Dr. T. W. Hunt.
In the context of an intentional pursuit of Christ-likeness, this counter-question came to mind. Do you sin as much as you know how to sin? If not, why not?
Why do you NOT choose to sin?
God is working is us both to will (to desire) and to do (to carry out) his good pleasure. Philippians 2:13.
With care in Christ,
Taylor
prof wrote:
Do you sin as much as you know how to sin? If not, why not?
As I have thought about this question, I have seen two things: there is the aspect of choice (in some cases I choose to not sin) and the aspect of new life which dispells sin.
I remember an illustration about trees that I think applies. Some trees lose their leaves in the fall, others hang on all winter. For them, it takes the new life of spring and the new leaves it brings to force out the old.
Paris Reidhead once stated that temptation is an appeal to the intellect to fulfill a good desire in a bad way. We all have natural desires. We have a desire to eat and sleep. This is natural. We have a desire to rule as God gave Adam dominion over the earth. This is natural. We have a desire to learn, to know and to experience. This is natural. We have a desire for procreation, to replenish the earth. This is natural. These and many others are all good and natural desires.
When we talk about sin we are talking about two things:
1) sin(s) the fruit (acts of omission and commission)
2) Sin the 'root'. (the consequence of the fall and man's inherited sinful nature) By one man [u]S
When a believer is born again and baptized into Jesus Christ we gain a new history. We are no longer 'in' Adam we are 'in' Christ. And Christ's nature was to do the will of the Father. This, for the born again, is their NEW nature. The nature of God manifest through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. This is just for starters...
But still yet we are temptable. Why? We still have natural desires. We have 'desire' (lust) and when this lust is met with a sinful means of fulfilling itself then the result is sin and the end is death. This is why we have to be on guard. Our natural desires do not discriminate between what is good and what is evil- this is why our senses have to be exercised. We know what is good and what is evil based upon the commandments of God. This enables us to pick what is good and discard what is evil. It becomes a matter of decision.
The benefit of being born again is that we are FREE from the law of Sin. No longer are we gratified by sinning itself. We may be 'gratified' by sin in the sense that we fulfill a natural desire, but we do NOT have this nature to sin as our 'old father' the devil. Out 'meat' (gratification and sustenance) is to do the will of the Father. A sinner is gratified and fulfilled by the rebellion of sin. That's what drives them.
So a true Christian does not desire to sin. They may desire to fulfill their natural needs and desires and may be tempted to do that in a wrong and sinful way, but they do not desire to sin for the rebellion it provides. Their new nature has [u]no
Superb post, Robert, all the way through.
That is why John can say in the same epistle;
1 John 1:1-10 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;) That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ. And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
And;
1 John 5:3-14 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God? This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit that beareth witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness in earth, the spirit, and the water, and the blood: and these three agree in one. If we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater: for this is the witness of God which he hath testified of his Son. He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son. And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
The first; "if any man commit a sin".
The Second; "God is faithful and just"
Because of the Christ in us. 1 John 2:27-29 But the anointing which ye have received of Him (Jesus sending the Holy Spirit) abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in Him. (even Jesus Christ) And now, little children, abide in Him; (Jesus Christ) that, when He shall appear, we may have confidence, and not be ashamed before Him at His (Jesus Christ) coming. If ye know that He is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of Him.
His Seed remaineth in you and His Seed cannot sin.
1 John 3:9-10 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
In Christ: Phillip
Superb post, Robert, all the way through.
I second that.
I whole heartedly do not agree that roberts post was good all the way through. I do not for one iota see from scripture where there is a root called Sin , then out of this physical root of Sin , commit sins , this is rubbish and a poor exsplaination of our natures and our relation to Sin and how we come to be sinners AFTER WE ARE BORN ,, as the bible says ... i agree with everything in the post except the root being Sin itself. the root is the outcome of sin and is not sin in regards to us being born guilty and born sinful .
I do not for one iota see from scripture where there is a root of called Sin , then out of this physical root of Sin we out of it commit sins , this is rubbish and a poor exsplaination of our natures and our relation to Sin and how we come to be sinners AFTER WE ARE BORN as the bible says ...
My initial reply was terrible , so i came back and edited my post , to better and more respectfully share my thoughts about the root , the rest of roberts post was good and true . Clint
My thanks to all who have responded to my question. Here are my thoughts, although rather lengthy.
Do you sin as much as you know how to sin? If not, why not?
No! I know, I have knowledge of, the consequences of many sins. I do not sin as much as I know how to sin.
Many sins have known consequences.
a) Some sins are an offense against our social order, like murder, stealing and incest, and are considered criminal. These sins most likely would result in my arrest, incarceration, and loss of personal freedom.
b) Some sins are an offense against my family, like adultery, deceit and dishonesty. I know these sins would greatly damage the quality of relationships that I value and want to maintain with my wife, children and extended family.
c) Some sins are an offense against my neighbors, business associates and professional colleagues, like dishonestly, chicanery and prideful behavior. I know these sins would damage my working relationships with people, would alienate many, and would erode their trust in me. The quality of my daily life would be greatly diminished if I committed those sins.
d)\tSome sins are an offense to those I highly value--my family, my church, and my Lord. Those sins, like sexual misconduct, pornography and drunkenness, would be a great source of embarrassment to those I love and treasure.
e)\tMany sins are an offense to my body, like drug abuse, unbalanced eating habits, and hatred. These sins will damage my mental and physical health and could possibly result in an untimely death.
I have indicated that I choose not to commit many sins because of their adverse affects on my well-being. One might say then that I choose not to sin because of self-interest. And that non-believers alike choose not to commit many of these sins because of their adverse consequences. Also, we recognize that the severity of the consequences of many sins is dictated by the culture in which we live.
In the process of enumerating the consequences of sins against others, it became evident that many sins are inherently offensive and they have a damaging affect on my relationships. Thus, it is reasonably conclusive that all of the sins enumerated above, and numerous others, are an offense to God and likewise affects my relationship with Him. So I choose not to sin as much as I know how to sin because I have either experienced or I know the consequences of those sins.
Where did I gain that knowledge?
a) From my parents.
b) From my siblings and extended family members.
c) From my friends and neighbors.
d) From experience.
e) From my church through Biblical preaching and teaching
f) From my personal reading of the Bible and religious writings.
I have learned from the Bible that there are serious consequences of sin. Those consequences are varied and far-reaching. The Word of God states that,
If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell. Matt 5:29
“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea. Matt 18:6
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom 6:23
Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Jas 1:15
Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. 1 Cor 6:18
But when you thus sin against the brethren, and wound their weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 1 Cor 8:12
Aside from the fear of the consequences of many sins, there are other significant reasons why I do not sin as much as I know how to sin.
1) I am a child of God. The Word tells me that as a child of His my personality has changed.
The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, Rom 8:16
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. 2 Cor 5:17 (NKJV)
Because I am a child of God, a new creation, I do not want to sin. In fact, my new nature prefers to avoid sin. I am fully aware of that new nature. My desires have changed.
2) The Holy Spirit indwells me. I know this because the Bible reveals this truth to me.
Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, … 1 Cor 6:19
That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. 2 Tim 1:14
There is a Spirit within me that finds sins repulsive, that is inconsistent with sin, and that urges, prods, and reminds me that I should not choose to commit many sins. I do not know the full extent of the influence of the Spirit on my decisions not to commit sin, nevertheless, I know and welcome the Spirit’s influence in this aspect of my thought life.
3) I have committed to live a life of obedience to God. I have not only trusted Jesus Christ to save me, but I have accepted Him as Lord of my life. I want to serve Him, learn of Him, follow in His ways, and be obedient to His commands.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. Rom 6:12
Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. 1 Cor 15:34
Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins;
Let them not have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
And I shall be innocent of great transgression. Ps 19:13
If I am serious about obedience, then I must search the Scripture to learn what my Master wants me to do. Therein, I have found that there are many sins that I commit that have no observable consequences, yet they are offensive to God. Sins like, anger with my brother, an unforgiving spirit, and failing to do good when I know I should. The list goes on. I would not have known these actions and attitudes were sins against God had I not learned it from God’s Word. The implication of this is that if I am to be obedient to my Lord, I must search the Scripture to know the extent of my offenses against God.
Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 1 Tim 5:24
True, I do not sin as much as I know how to sin. But I still sin! God, be merciful to me a sinner!!
For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. Gal 5:17
I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 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. 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. 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. Rom 7:15-20 (see 7:21-25 also)
Food for thought, Prof
Every man sins when he is drawn away through [ of ] his own lust, when he is tempted. No sin ever happens without lusting for something , No one sins without being tempted for something God says is not allowable to partake of .Every sin comes by way of temptation . Sin does not happen any other way . Sin is not hereditary or inherited . Now the Great News is that with EVERY TEMPTATION,,, JESUS ,,, Is always our way of escape . I am so glad that ressurection life is the way of escape from all temptation . The only problem with all mankind and every Believer in Christ, that is commiting ANY sin , is that they are not believing Jesus, and abiding in Him .. ANYTHING that is not of faith is sin . Abiding in Jesus means , knowing the lust of the flesh , which is Not Sin , and mortifying it . Then when this mortification of our flesh, into Christ death , is a reality in our lives we will not be tempted as we were before this death into Christ was realized in us . When we glory in the cross of Christ , we also share in the ressurection and this ressurection gives us power aver All the works of the devil , the Devil is where All temptation comes from , and in this new and living way , that is in abiding in Jesus . In abiding in Him we see the way Jesus leads us out of EVERY TEMPTATION and we follow Him, that is the life of faith in God . That is a SINLESS , purified ,perfected life , this is what God would have us all be , sinless and perfect in Him through Jesus Christ .
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