Do we sin? If not what is the word for those who stumble?

NothingIsImpossible · Jun 29, 2017

So I've always been a bit confused by this. So obviously Jesus died for our sins and now we are set free from sin. However what is the word to use when a christian makes a mistake?

For example lets say a very godly person you know messes up and accidentally swears one day after someone cut him off while he was driving. Did he sin? Or do you call it something else?

On here I see some say you committed a sin. Others give it other words like stumble, mistake...etc. Its all made more confusing because of the minority who say we don't "sin" at all. Which I get what they are saying since Jesus died for our sins. But we still make mistakes. And some of those are biblically a sin. Like swearing, anger, envy, lying...etc. I am not referring to constantly doing these things. But when someone accidentally does it once.

In my case sometimes I will pray "God forgive me for sinning and doing <insert thing>". Other times I will drop the sin part and say "God forgive me for doing <insert thing>". Or is there really no right or wrong word for when we mess up?

“Paisios” · Jun 29, 2017

I think that Christians can and do sin on occasion, but are free from being controlled by sin, and we will be made perfect in God's time, and can be forgiven through Christ Jesus.

1 John 1:8-10
1 John 2:1-2

These verses are written to the church and seem to suggest to me that it is still possible that we sin and stumble.

That said, if we continue in persistent sin, it would bring into question if we are truly saved in the first place.

Matthew 7:15-23
Matthew 25:31-46

Dave-W · Jun 29, 2017

There is confusion because our english words keep changing their definitions. Better to use the definitions of original language.

The main words in both testaments translated "sin" are archery terms meaning to "miss the mark." i.e. you take aim at the bull's eye on the target but miss. That is "sin."

tdidymas · Jun 29, 2017

NothingIsImpossible said:
So I've always been a bit confused by this. So obviously Jesus died for our sins and now we are set free from sin. However what is the word to use when a christian makes a mistake?

For example lets say a very godly person you know messes up and accidentally swears one day after someone cut him off while he was driving. Did he sin? Or do you call it something else?

On here I see some say you committed a sin. Others give it other words like stumble, mistake...etc. Its all made more confusing because of the minority who say we don't "sin" at all. Which I get what they are saying since Jesus died for our sins. But we still make mistakes. And some of those are biblically a sin. Like swearing, anger, envy, lying...etc. I am not referring to constantly doing these things. But when someone accidentally does it once.

In my case sometimes I will pray "God forgive me for sinning and doing <insert thing>". Other times I will drop the sin part and say "God forgive me for doing <insert thing>". Or is there really no right or wrong word for when we mess up?

You are not alone, there are many Christians confused in this matter. The term sin means missing the mark. It is an expression from archery (missed the target). Rom. 3:23 "for all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God." In a very general sense, making an unintentional mistake is a sin.

As Christians, we say that we are sinners in the sense that no one is perfect, that is, no one except Christ Himself is sinlessly perfect. But we cannot make that as an excuse for sinning, because the Bible calls us saints, which means holy ones. Therefore, we must somehow reconcile both facts, that we do commit sins, and we are also saints and sons of God. According to 1 John 5:16, there is a difference in degrees of sin, in which "sinners" commit sins leading to death (like sexual immorality), but "saints" can commit sins not leading to death (like letting a bad word slip out).

1 John 1:8 says "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves..." so this is like saying we are not sinlessly perfect. But 1 John 3:9 says "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin..." (with the Greek tense of continuance therein). It is like saying we are no longer sinners as described in Eph. 2 "walking according to the course of this world..." Instead, we are trying to love God with all our heart and soul, in obedience to 1 John 2:15-17. The key to understanding this is that we are on a right path. The Christian life is a journey ("The Way"), headed the right direction, toward God and toward the expression of the virtues of Christ. We know that we will screw up from time to time, but we are still committed to following Christ.

With that said, there is no right or wrong words to use. Just honesty.
TD

All4Christ · Jun 29, 2017

tdidymas said:
You are not alone, there are many Christians confused in this matter. The term sin means missing the mark. It is an expression from archery (missed the target). Rom. 3:23 "for all have sinned, and fallen short of the glory of God." In a very general sense, making an unintentional mistake is a sin.

As Christians, we say that we are sinners in the sense that no one is perfect, that is, no one except Christ Himself is sinlessly perfect. But we cannot make that as an excuse for sinning, because the Bible calls us saints, which means holy ones. Therefore, we must somehow reconcile both facts, that we do commit sins, and we are also saints and sons of God. According to 1 John 5:16, there is a difference in degrees of sin, in which "sinners" commit sins leading to death (like sexual immorality), but "saints" can commit sins not leading to death (like letting a bad word slip out).

1 John 1:8 says "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves..." so this is like saying we are not sinlessly perfect. But 1 John 3:9 says "Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin..." (with the Greek tense of continuance therein). It is like saying we are no longer sinners as described in Eph. 2 "walking according to the course of this world..." Instead, we are trying to love God with all our heart and soul, in obedience to 1 John 2:15-17. The key to understanding this is that we are on a right path. The Christian life is a journey ("The Way"), headed the right direction, toward God and toward the expression of the virtues of Christ. We know that we will screw up from time to time, but we are still committed to following Christ.

With that said, there is no right or wrong words to use. Just honesty.
TD

In regards to the degrees of sinning, it is important to remember that even if you (generic you) do commit one of the sins of the passions, God is still ready and waiting to receive you and forgive you when asked. It isn't too late for any of us to turn towards God.

tdidymas · Jun 29, 2017

All4Christ said:
In regards to the degrees of sinning, it is important to remember that even if you (generic you) do commit one of the sins of the passions, God is still ready and waiting to receive you and forgive you when asked. It isn't too late for any of us to turn towards God.

What you say is true, but I don't recommend to anyone to let yourself go there, because sin is deceitful.
TD

Godlovesmetwo · Jun 29, 2017

I often stumble. I rarely sin!

All4Christ · Jun 29, 2017

tdidymas said:
What you say is true, but I don't recommend to anyone to let yourself go there, because sin is deceitful.
TD

Oh I agree. I just don't want people to despair if they have done that in thinking that it is too late. It is certainly no excuse to go ahead and do the though

Albion · Jun 29, 2017

NothingIsImpossible said:
So I've always been a bit confused by this. So obviously Jesus died for our sins and now we are set free from sin. However what is the word to use when a christian makes a mistake?

We are set free from the eternal consequences of our sins. We still do sin, but in Christ we have a remedy.

Albion · Jun 29, 2017

bettercallpaul said:
I often stumble. I rarely sin!

Just one sin estranges the sinner from God who knows no sin--and that's the case even if we call it a "stumble" instead.

Hank77 · Jun 29, 2017

NothingIsImpossible said:
On here I see some say you committed a sin. Others give it other words like stumble, mistake...etc. Its all made more confusing because of the minority who say we don't "sin" at all. Which I get what they are saying since Jesus died for our sins. But we still make mistakes. And some of those are biblically a sin. Like swearing, anger, envy, lying...etc. I am not referring to constantly doing these things. But when someone accidentally does it once.

We literally 'miss the mark' which means we sinned, no matter what one calls it.
Swearing is not a sin, taking the Lord's name in vain, is a sin. It would be a sin to use words to incite emotional responses or to harm someone else.
I have never heard a Christian say we don't sin, or that they don't sin.
Certainly choosing to sinning is much more serious that a slip of the tongue.

Hank77 · Jun 29, 2017

Albion said:
Just one sin estranges the sinner from God who knows no sin--and that's the case even if we call it a "stumble" instead.

Not arguing your point but would you post a scripture that proves this point of 'estrangement' from God? Thanks.

Roseonathorn · Jun 29, 2017

I sin occationnally, The word for stumble is CHOCOLATE! I try to hide it in a beautiful box together with proteinpowder. It is always found by the kids. The box is made by someone in jail and has sharp edges, everytime I get a bloody leg of walking too close to it, I think of jail and suffering and sin and hell and not to swear and eternity and get reminded to stay on the narrow path.

Albion · Jun 29, 2017

Hank77 said:
Not arguing your point but would you post a scripture that proves this point of 'estrangement' from God? Thanks.

Theologians use the word routinely, it seems, and there are dozens of verses in Scripture that make the point with one wording or another, but since you asked for verses, take a look at these:

Ephesians 2:12

Colossians 1:20

Hank77 · Jun 29, 2017

Albion said:
Theologians use the word routinely, it seems, and there are dozens of verses in Scripture that make the point with one wording or another, but since you asked for verses, take a look at these:

Ephesians 2:12

Colossians 1:20

Thanks I will.

Hank77 · Jun 29, 2017

Albion said:
Theologians use the word routinely, it seems, and there are dozens of verses in Scripture that make the point with one wording or another, but since you asked for verses, take a look at these:

Ephesians 2:12

Colossians 1:20

I must have misunderstood you. I thought you were saying that when a Christian sins they are estranged from God. So that was what I was asking for scriptures for.

Albion · Jun 29, 2017

Well, I'm going to have to suggest you examine the forty or so verses that a search of "estrangement from God" or some similar entry will put you in touch with.

My feeling was that although commentators use the word estrangement, as I did, the possible shadings of meaning to be found in the relevant Bible verses are many.

Kit Sigmon · Jun 29, 2017

Hank77....Are you meaning this type of estrangement/ and or distancing?
James 4:4-10

Hank77 · Jun 29, 2017

Kit Sigmon said:
Hank77....Are you meaning this type of estrangement/ and or distancing?
James 4:4-10

I almost missed your post. Please accept some advice. When you want to post to a particular person used the 'reply' button on the lower right of their post. This way you quote them and they get a notice of your reply.
I wouldn't have wanted to miss your reply to me.

Well James is closer but James is not saying that if someone sins that they are estranged from God.
James is talking about people who choose the behaviors of world over God, they are actually enemies of God. They reject His laws and His love.
I don't believe he is saying that a believer who sins is estranged (separated from God). If that were true then the Holy Spirit would not be bringing them to repentance. We wouldn't feel the sadness and guilt that we do when we sin against God. Who is it that brings a backslider to repentance if it is not God?

Goatee · Jun 29, 2017

Sin, yes, i do............all my local priests know me well............never ending circle of which i am trying to break free from

Do we sin? If not what is the word for those who stumble?

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