Does God want us to "sin less" in this life or to "stop sinning?"

[Bible Highlighter]

if the law is not the tree of knowledge of good and evil then I don't know what is. it was only a sin to eat of that tree because God asked adam to not eat of it. to take heed of any voice but Gods is sin and harlotry. returning to our first love keeps us from sinning.

"But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully;" (1 Timothy 1:8).

3 "God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit." (Romans 8:3-4).

What is the "righteousness of the Law" that might be fulfilled in us?

It is to "love your neighbor" which is the moral law.

8 "Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law.
9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself." (Romans 13:8-9).

Loving one's neighbor would also include loving the poor (See the parable of the Good Samaritan). Loving one's neighbor would also include doing unto others as you want done unto yourself. Obviously we always want salvation (Christ), so giving that gift to others is important, too.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

I'm not saying we should never think about what is right and wrong. I'm making a comment on how historically Christians tend to focus on what is wrong with our behavior more than what is right with their behavior. This has had a detrimental affect on how we treat others inside and outside our communities.

I gotcha now.

While the NT contains a few vice lists, I would argue they are examples of intention-based behaviors that stem from a lack of love for others. They were never meant to be exhaustive or complete.

I fully realize that. I have been doing a study on God's commands in the New Testament. It is very fruitful.

 

[mozo41]

if the law is not the tree of knowledge of good and evil then I don't know what is. it was only a sin to eat of that tree because God asked adam to not eat of it. to take heed of any voice but Gods is sin and harlotry. returning to our first love keeps us from sinning.

Deut 8:1-3 (YLT)
`All the command which I am commanding thee to-day ye observe to do, so that ye live, and have multiplied, and gone in, and possessed the land which Jehovah hath sworn to your fathers; and thou hast remembered all the way which Jehovah thy God hath caused thee to go these forty years in the wilderness, in order to humble thee to try thee, to know that which is in thy heart, whether thou dost keep His commands or not. `And He doth humble thee, and cause thee to hunger and doth cause thee to eat the manna (which thou hast not known, even thy fathers have not known), in order to cause thee to know that not by bread alone doth man live, but by every produce of the mouth of Jehovah man doth live.

Matt 4:1-4 (YLT)
Then Jesus was led up to the wilderness by the Spirit, to be tempted by the Devil, and having fasted forty days and forty nights, afterwards he did hunger. And the Tempter having come to him said, `If Son thou art of God--speak that these stones may become loaves.' But he answering said, `It hath been written, Not upon bread alone doth man live, but upon every word coming forth from the mouth of God.'

yes ... it is amazing how our brother kept the law by being it ... his journey going from Passover to Tabernacles and then he drank of the cup of mixed wine and entered into the wilderness whereas the rest of us come out of the wilderness and enter into the land .... in other words to keep the feast of Passover is to keep the law ...

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Proverbs chapter 10 verse 12
Love covers all wrongs.
1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8
Love covers a great many sins.

But how does one define love?
Do we love our "own way" (i.e. the Burger King way), or do we love "Yahweh's way" (i.e. Jesus's way according to what the Bible says)?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Faith is just as dead without works as works are without faith, they are simply two sides of the same coin.

Yes. This is why works are a necessary part of the salvation process because we are saved by grace THROUGH faith. Our works? No. The Lord's works done through us (When we surrender to Him).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

but I don't wanna sin

And you don't have to.

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." (1 Corinthians 10:13).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Yes we can stop doing all sin that we are aware of.
But we are not aware of even the sins we think we are aware of.
If God's word calls on us to "Pray Continuously" (it does) and we don't
do that, even after we read that, then we are sinning even though
we know it is a sin. And we are sinning when we forget as well.

1 Thessalonians 5
16 Rejoice at all times.
17 Pray without ceasing.
18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

Not all sin is the same. There are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-17). The New Testament does not mention any dire consequences in the afterlife for anyone for not praying without ceasing. However, the New Testament does say that one can be cast bodily into hellfire for looking at a woman in lust, though (See Matthew 5:28-30).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

No less different. All sin and fall short.

Right, so believers can be practicing inappropriate content stars, drug addicts, drunk drivers, ax murderers, and child abusers and still be saved? If so, then that just doesn't sound like one is a child of God at all. Have you ever read 1 John 3:10 recently?

 

[disciple1]

But how does one define love?
Do we love our "own way" (i.e. the Burger King way), or do we love "Yahweh's way" (i.e. Jesus's way according to what the Bible says)?

Luke chapter 10 verses 25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What is written in the Law? he replied. How do you read it? He answered: Love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. You have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too , a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers. The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him. Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.

1 John chapter 4 verse 20
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

@Jason0047 could you tell us, like in a paragraph, the key to not sinning at all...?

Well, there are different ways to overcome sin by God's Word and with the help of Jesus.

1. Remove yourself from sinful environments (if possible) and or get rid of things that cause you to sin. In Genesis: Joseph had literally ran away from the temptation of sexual sin.
   
   
2. Pray to God so as not to be tempted. It is part of the Lord’s prayer for you to pray so as not to be tempted into sin. God will guide and protect you if you are serious in praying for this. In fact, fasting will help you with this, as well.
   
   
3. Obey God’s righteous ways. The more you love God and love others and obey His Word and stay in His Word and pray, the more you will not even have a chance to sin or do the wrong thing. But the more you walk in God's Word by the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of flesh.
   
   
4. When you are tempted, quote Scripture. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He quoted Scripture to defeat the devil. So when some specific sin is bothering you, find all the verses you can that are victory verses over that particular sin. A good general verse is, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” You can say these verses to yourself silently under your breath (with nobody hearing).
   
   
5. Ask for prayer from other God fearing Christians or Godly Christians to help you to overcome certain sins. The Scriptures say, bear ye one another's burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ. So seek true fellowship and ask for their help.
   
   
6. Hide God’s Word in your heart. Memorize Scripture. David said he hid God’s Word within his heart so that he may not sin against the Lord.
   
   
7. Confess of your sins. 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I would also check out Pastor Alan Ballou's videos on YouTube on how to stop sinning, too.

Alan Ballou's YouTube Page.

Is what we atypically think sin is, is not sinning really even the point?

First, sin is not what we think it is. God's Word defines what sin is. There are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-17). Death is the the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).

Second, to answer your question: Yes, "not sinning" is the point of being right with God because it was sin that caused a separation between man and God in the first place. John says that Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). This would be the works of the devil within your life (i.e. sin). 1 John 3:10 says, "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." So I would say that "not sinning" is a very important point; Especially in light of what John says here.

Is sin more or less important than some other things?

"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).
"For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23).
"He that committeth sin is of the devil;" (1 John 3:8).
"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).

...are some sins greater or less than another?

Yes. There are unforgivable sins (Mark 3:29) (Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8). There are sins that lead to death if not repented of (such as murder, hate, adultery, coveting, theft, etc.). There are sins that do not lead unto death such as confessed sins (1 John 1:9, cf. 1 John 5:16-17), and or not being baptized (1 Peter 3:21).

...can different people be predisposed to having struggles of different sins more or less than another?

You make it sound like, "Certain people have an excuse to sin because they appear to be victims of a particular sins." Is that what you are saying?

1 Corinthians 10:13 says,
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."

...and does that, or the individual circumstances, need to be considered?

What circumcistances? What circumstance makes it okay for somebody to sin?
Do you have a Scripture verse or passage in mind?

Is one thing a sin, for one person, and not for another...?

Yes. See Romans 14.

Most of us do wrong that we know we shouldn't, and the rest of us are liars, and that is the problem, and we see no way out of it...

That is why narrow is the way that leads unto life and few be there that finds it.
Also, there is a way that seems right to a man, and the end thereof is death.

It is also my opinion that when one even begins to think themselves sinless, the struggle into a whole other category of sin(s), that most are blind too... And it is that kind that Jesus/God really hates...

What Scripture verses or passages are you basing this conclusion on?

God Bless!

May the Lord's love shine upon you;
And may you have a good evening.

Sincerely,

~ Jason.

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Luke chapter 10 verses 25-37
On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher, he asked, what must I do to inherit eternal life? What is written in the Law? he replied. How do you read it? He answered: Love the lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and Love your neighbor as yourself. You have answered correctly, Jesus replied. Do this and you will live. But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, And who is my neighbor? In reply Jesus said: A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too , a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. Look after him said, and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have. Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers. The expert in the law replied, The one who had mercy on him. Jesus told him, Go and do likewise.

Yes, I just referenced the Parable of the Good Samaritan in reference to loving our neighbor a couple of posts ago within this thread (See Post #141). Yes, we are to love the poor as a part of loving our neighbor; And there are dire consequences in not doing this within this life (Matthew 25:31-46).

1 John chapter 4 verse 20
Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.

Yes. Exactly.
And loving your neighbor is the same as keeping the moral law (like do not murder, do not covet, do not steal, etc.) (See Romans 13:8-10).

For he that hates his brother does not have any eternal life abiding in them (1 John 3:15).

Is it possible for a believer to hate their brother and slip up? I would say .... Yes.
This is why they need Jesus and His grace. Not as a license to sin, but as a means to overcome sin.

 

[SkyWriting]

Right, so believers can be practicing inappropriate content stars, drug addicts, drunk drivers, ax murderers, and child abusers and still be saved? If so, then that just doesn't sound like one is a child of God at all.

Absolutely! The prodigal children are welcomed to God with open arms if they turn to God at any time. And God already has chosen them to do so if that happens. Becasue Jesus went to Hell for three days and left, it's possible that others can too. We shall all see one way or the other.

 

[SkyWriting]

Not all sin is the same. There are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-17). The New Testament does not mention any dire consequences in the afterlife for anyone for not praying without ceasing.

The only way into Hell is to reject the Holy Spirit with full knowledge and conviction. There is only one unforgivable sin.

 

[disciple1]

Yes, I just referenced the Parable of the Good Samaritan in reference to loving our neighbor a couple of posts ago within this thread (See Post #141). Yes, we are to love the poor as a part of loving our neighbor; And there are dire consequences in not doing this within this life (Matthew 25:31-46).



Yes. Exactly.
And loving your neighbor is the same as keeping the moral law (like do not murder, do not covet, do not steal, etc.) (See Romans 13:8-10).

For he that hates his brother does not have any eternal life abiding in them (1 John 3:15).

Is it possible for a believer to hate their brother and slip up? I would say .... Yes.
This is why they need Jesus and His grace. Not as a license to sin, but as a means to overcome sin.

And loving your neighbor is the same as keeping the moral law

Wrong.
Galatians chapter 5 verse 4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Were not trying to be justified by law, but love, and we'll fail at loving our neighbor as our self, but we're following Christ, by trying to love as he did.

 

[bling]

Well, there are different ways to overcome sin by God's Word and with the help of Jesus.

1. Remove yourself from sinful environments (if possible) and or get rid of things that cause you to sin. In Genesis: Joseph had literally ran away from the temptation of sexual sin.
   
   
2. Pray to God so as not to be tempted. It is part of the Lord’s prayer for you to pray so as not to be tempted into sin. God will guide and protect you if you are serious in praying for this. In fact, fasting will help you with this, as well.
   
   
3. Obey God’s righteous ways. The more you love God and love others and obey His Word and stay in His Word and pray, the more you will not even have a chance to sin or do the wrong thing. But the more you walk in God's Word by the Spirit you will not fulfill the lusts of flesh.
   
   
4. When you are tempted, quote Scripture. When Jesus was tempted by the devil, He quoted Scripture to defeat the devil. So when some specific sin is bothering you, find all the verses you can that are victory verses over that particular sin. A good general verse is, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” You can say these verses to yourself silently under your breath (with nobody hearing).
   
   
5. Ask for prayer from other God fearing Christians or Godly Christians to help you to overcome certain sins. The Scriptures say, bear ye one another's burdens and thus fulfill the Law of Christ. So seek true fellowship and ask for their help.
   
   
6. Hide God’s Word in your heart. Memorize Scripture. David said he hid God’s Word within his heart so that he may not sin against the Lord.
   
   
7. Confess of your sins. 1 John 1:9 says if we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

I would also check out Pastor Alan Ballou's videos on YouTube on how to stop sinning, too.

Alan Ballou's YouTube Page.



First, sin is not what we think it is. God's Word defines what sin is. There are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-17). Death is the the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).

Second, to answer your question: Yes, "not sinning" is the point of being right with God because it was sin that caused a separation between man and God in the first place. John says that Jesus was manifested to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8). This would be the works of the devil within your life (i.e. sin). 1 John 3:10 says, "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." So I would say that "not sinning" is a very important point; Especially in light of what John says here.



"Whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Romans 14:23).
"For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23).
"He that committeth sin is of the devil;" (1 John 3:8).
"For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved." (John 3:20).



Yes. There are unforgivable sins (Mark 3:29) (Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8). There are sins that lead to death if not repented of (such as murder, hate, adultery, coveting, theft, etc.). There are sins that do not lead unto death such as confessed sins (1 John 1:9, cf. 1 John 5:16-17), and or not being baptized (1 Peter 3:21).



You make it sound like, "Certain people have an excuse to sin because they appear to be victims of a particular sins." Is that what you are saying?

1 Corinthians 10:13 says,
"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it."



What circumcistances? What circumstance makes it okay for somebody to sin?
Do you have a Scripture verse or passage in mind?



Yes. See Romans 14.



That is why narrow is the way that leads unto life and few be there that finds it.
Also, there is a way that seems right to a man, and the end thereof is death.



What Scripture verses or passages are you basing this conclusion on?



May the Lord's love shine upon you;
And may you have a good evening.

Sincerely,

~ Jason.

I agree God does not want us to sin at all and with the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit Christians can keep from sinning again, but I have a few questions:

1. When have you been around Christians who have gone months without sinning?
   
   
2. Is “sin” the problem or is unforgiven sins the problem?
   
   
3. Does sin have purpose for the nonbeliever and/or the believer?
   
   
4. Can you really keep from sinning by not wanting to sin or do you have to fill your life allowing the Spirit to work through you doing good stuff and just not have time and interest in doing bad stuff?
   

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Absolutely! The prodigal children are welcomed to God with open arms if they turn to God at any time. And God already has chosen them to do so if that happens. Becasue Jesus went to Hell for three days and left, it's possible that others can too. We shall all see one way or the other.

No. I meant, are they still saved while they are practicing inappropriate content stars, murderers, abusers of children while having a belief on Jesus? Or is their a change in behavior when they are saved whereby they don't do those evil things anymore?

 

[Bible Highlighter]

The only way into Hell is to reject the Holy Spirit with full knowledge and conviction. There is only one unforgivable sin.

Actually, the word "all" does not always mean "all" in the Bible.
For when you read Matthew 12:31, you cannot take it to mean that this means the only unforgivable sin.
How so?
Well, we know that there are other unforgivable sins in the Scriptures. If you commit apostasy (i.e. you later deny Jesus) after having been enlightened by the Holy Spirit, it is not forgivable (Hebrews 6:4-6).
Those who worship the beast in the future cannot be forgiven because their names are not even written in the Lamb's book of life since the foundation of the world (Revelation 13:8, Revelation 17:8). Committing suicide and staying dead is a sin you cannot repent of; and suicide is simply self murder. Murderers will have their part in the Lake of Fire (Revelation 21:8).

 

[Bible Highlighter]

Wrong.
Galatians chapter 5 verse 4
You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

Oh, good; So if you are not justified by keeping any Law then you are not justified by obeying the following law (i.e. commandment) then, right?

"And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ,..."
(1 John 3:23).

Are you also not under the Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus?

The Law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus says there is no condemnation to those who walk after the Spirit in Christ Jesus.

1 "There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death."
(Romans 8:1-2).

Were not trying to be justified by law, but love, and we'll fail at loving our neighbor as our self, but we're following Christ, by trying to love as he did.

The two greatest commandments are to love God and to love your neighbor.

But what about Paul's condemnation of the "Law"? Well, Paul is talking about the Old Covenant Written Law that was for Israel (i.e. the Law of Moses). In Romans 3:1, Paul says, "what profit is there in circumcision?" In Galatians 5:2, Paul says, "if you seek to be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." Circumcision was a part of the Old Law given to Israel and not the New Law given to us by Jesus and His followers.

In fact, what is helpful to understand about God's laws is that there are Eternal Moral Laws given to man after the Fall (Like: "Do not murder," "Do not covet," "Do not steal," etc.). They existed before the written Law. The written Law merely repeated them, but they did not go away. They continue on into the New Testament. For why do you think the world perished by a global flood? It was because of their wickedness or sin. What law could they have broke before the written Law came into existence? It would have to be God's Eternal Laws for man. So when the Old Law was done away with, it was the laws that were more exclusive to the nation of Israel. The ceremonial laws like the Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws, farming laws, etc. are no more because they were for Israel. But God's Eternal Moral Laws are unchanging. Jesus, Paul, and John all warn us about the consequences of what will happen to anyone who breaks God's Eternal Moral Laws. Jesus said one is in danger of hell fire, and Paul said one will not inherit the Kingdom of God, and John said they will have their part in the Lake of Fire.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Jason0047. God is Love, and we are all sinners. With the Love of God we can be the sons and daughters which God wants. In Matthew 22: 35-40: Jesus tells us: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy hearts, with all thy souls and thy with all thy minds. The second is like it: love thy neighbour as thyself." In verse 40 we are told: on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets. God wants us to stop sinning. In Matthew 7: verse 7-10, we are told: " Ask and you shall receive. We ask God for Love and Compassion, for kindness and always a helping hand. Love is very catching, and we only have to ask and then thank God and be the men and women which God wants us to be. Always loving and caring, always kind and considerate.
The Bible tells us: " ask and you shall receive, we ask and then we receive, then thank God and start loving and caring, always be kind and forgiving, helpful and LOVING. Why not try it Jason? God is Love and God wants loving sons and daughters, straightforward and easy to understand and follow. God wants us to give up sinning, and start loving and caring. I say this with love, and send greetings. From Emmy, your sister in Christ.

 

[InterestedApologist]

Not all sin is the same. There are sins that lead unto death and sins that do not lead unto death (1 John 5:16-17). The New Testament does not mention any dire consequences in the afterlife for anyone for not praying without ceasing. However, the New Testament does say that one can be cast bodily into hellfire for looking at a woman in lust, though (See Matthew 5:28-30).

So, committing sin that is “not unto death” is no problem then? If this sin has no power to break fellowship with Christ, why then call it sin? This does not make sense to me at all. Sin is sin and it separates us from Christ. The sin unto death would appear to be sin unto physical death, much like Ananias and his wife.

Do you ever sin, and if so why? Please bear in mind that sin is both of commission AND omission as James 4:17 indicates. Also, if you do sin, are you condemned if you have saving faith in Christ?