God created us without a way to stop sinning?

[Albion]

But you make a humanist argument that people are just victims of circumstance and you can't possibly punish those that just follow in the vile footsteps of their parents and
surroundings.

I have no idea why you'd think something like that. As a result, I can't do much other than ask you to read my post again.

 

[BryanMaloney]

At some time, every one of us has prayed "da mihi castitatem et continentiam sed noli modo" (Grant me chastity and continence, but not yet.)

 

[Erose]

"People that truly commit themselves fully to God absolutely do get his help"

I just don't know if I believe that anymore. I mean it's easy to say, we love to say this sort of thing in church. When I started going to church again 6 years ago it drastically changed my life. I fought through heavy anxiety and issues in my life to eventually become (what I believe is) a far better person because of it. But some of the key sinful areas of my life that I wanted to change, didn't. And the parts that did change...well, to be honest, I didn't really need God for them.

Now I have no way of convincing you that I've actually been trying very hard these last 6 years to change my life. But I believe I have. And I've reached the point of not really knowing what else to give. And it all leaves me here, wondering, what part God really plays in life.

Because as much as we talk about a God who loves us, all I have ever seen is a very distant God.

Mikemack, I'm not sure what faith tradition you are part of, but what I would recommend to you is go to a retreat, even if it isn't within your denomination. There is a fairly new retreat program called ACTS, which is predominately Catholic, but there are non-Catholics that go to these as well, and everyone I speak to that have gone to one of these, comes back on full of fire. They really seem to work and change lives. As soon as I am able I too will be going to one.

 

[farout]

In the last year I've watched as my faith has taken a large decline. It initially began over the idea of not being able to stop living a lust filled life (but that isn't what this question is about), and after talking to my girlfriend I realized there seems to be this huge hole in my knowledge about living as a sinner.

You see my girlfriend is a social worker, and constantly has to deal with patients who do not have the ability to properly reason. The idea that they need God is almost impossible for some of them to grasp. And the idea that they could stop the sinful ways they live? It's basically impossible. Like asking a potato to run.

Or I have a friend who was sexually abused growing up. He is a smart person, but his whole view on sexuality has completely been distorted. And we basically ask him to just "stop sinning"?

I don't understand it. I can understand a life living in pain, or without something. At least that has taught me something in my journey. But living a life of sin, where hope to remove it is essentially non existent? I don't understand how God can put us in that place. We didn't ask for these things to be part of our lives, they're just there. And we're told we need to remove them from our lives.

Without being in any way judgmental or intending to be rude; You stated to problem right from the beginning. In the last year you have let your faith decline. If I man give an example. If you only ate one meal a day for one year what condition would you be in? If a genuine FOLLOWER of Christ neglected communicating with Jesus on a daily if not more often regular basis, and if a FOLLOWER neglected reading the WORD of God (which is spiritual food) would they not say the very thing you said?

When we fail to grow in our Spiritual life there is really only one person to hold accountable. The WORD says when draw close to God He in return Draws close to us. God will not force us upon us when He is not wanted. When I neglect Prayer and or Bible reading my spirit is uneasy, and if I neglect my duty to confess my sine, it does not take too long to notice the difference. I find when I neglect my Spiritual duties as a Follower, I let my language slip, my thoughts change, my temper gets hotter, and for what ever the reason I begin to question God about why he does things the way he does.

I picture it this way I am a little bug crawling on a sidewalk. I look up at a large figure and say "your blocking my sun light!" The large thing raises something very high, then it comes down and...... get the picture. We are so small and we demand God to jump when we ask or give us something, Why should God do anything for me when I am neglecting any communication with Him?

God has always given us the ability to resist sinning, but we love to sin. God even sent us His Son Jesus Christ to redeem our sould, if we want Him to do so. No one forces us to become a Follower of Jesus. God loved us before we loved Him, yet while we were still sinning against Him He still sent Jesus Christ to pay the price for our sins. That payment for our sins is available for anyone who will ask Jesus to Save them. But Jesus will not force anyone to become a FOLLOWER. Jesus only comes to those willing to ask Him to save them. Have you wandered or backslidden, or perhaps never become a genuine FOLLOWER of Jesus Christ?

 

[farout]

You need to spend some time in the New Testament to understand what provisions God has made for His children to turn their backs on sinning and live holy, sober, and righteous lives. You have a major misunderstanding of this matter.

1. Repentance -- that is a command, which means a 180 degree change in attitudes and lifestyle.

2. The New Birth -- that is an imperative and a necessity. You are no longer a sinner but a child of God.

3. The gift of the Holy Spirit -- that is the power to stop sinning. The indwelling Holy Spirit is there for many reasons.

4. The living Word of God -- that is to teach sinners how to become saints, even while they are regarded as righteous with the imputed righteousness of Christ.

5. The mortification of the flesh -- putting to death the old sinful nature by walking in the Spirit. This is called taking up your cross and following Christ.

6. The living sacrifice -- every believer to sacrifice self for Christ.

Very well said and Biblically true past. Thank you for your witness.

 

[D2wing]

First of all, God does help people overcome sin, he has delivered me and thousands of others from various sins. Second, our work is to have faith in him who God sent. You are looking at circumstances, not the work of God.
Thirdly, God has not given us a temptation that we cannot overcome. Is it always easy, no. We have to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Life is always a struggle and there is always suffering to some degree. Might as well suffer for God as the Devil.
The solution is in the Word. read your Bible, pray and trust God. Also resist a little each day.

 

[bling]

This is a huge subject, it is neglected from the pulpit but not from scripture. There are many questions that need to be addressed concerning sin, which religious leaders seem to avoid.

The reasons I see stemming from a poor understanding of: God’s objective, man’s objective, why God created man in the first place, the purpose of sin, human nature, Adam and Eve, forgiveness and atonement.

All these are huge subjects in themselves, so where do we begin?


Is man’s objective in this life to: “Never ever sin?” If it is all have failed, so why did God not start over?

God allowed Adam and Eve to sin, so is there some purpose behind the nonbeliever sinning that might help the nonbeliever fulfill his earthly objective?

There may be a purpose behind sin for the nonbeliever, but there seems to be no purpose for the believer to continue sinning, so can we stop?

You want to stop sinning which is great, but the Spirit that dwells within you does not want to be inactive (sit around not sinning may keep you from hurting others, but it does not help others). Continuously thinking about what you cannot do, or have, will not keep you from doing it or getting it (that might have been part of Eve’s problem).

The way to “stop sinning” is to quit trying not to sin and spend all your time and energy doing good stuff to help others (the Spirit can really participate in that kind of activity and will take the lead and really do it for you [in spite of you]). You cannot “stop” doing stuff, but you can spend all your time doing good stuff. Like Eve, who had hundreds of trees to eat from, God has blessed you with hundreds of opportunities to do good stuff. Just take the little faith and Love you have and do something with it but do not do it because I said to do it, but do it purely out of gratitude for what God has done for you.

 

[farout]

First of all, God does help people overcome sin, he has delivered me and thousands of others from various sins. Second, our work is to have faith in him who God sent. You are looking at circumstances, not the work of God.
Thirdly, God has not given us a temptation that we cannot overcome. Is it always easy, no. We have to deny ourselves and take up our cross daily. Life is always a struggle and there is always suffering to some degree. Might as well suffer for God as the Devil.
The solution is in the Word. read your Bible, pray and trust God. Also resist a little each day.

I am not sure to tale the word you use "temptation. God does not tempt anyone according to the book James.

 

[FireDragon76]

Kinda makes the Free-will, Works-Righteousness, POV we are treated to so often around here seem really shallow and impossible, don't you think?

Judging by what passes for doctrine here among non-catholics, Luther and Calvin would surely be rolling over in their graves.

Mike might benefit from reading The Ragamuffin Gospel. When the fire of faith grows cold and the burdens of life start to weigh you down, it's time to find more grace. Not double-down on moralism.

 

[D2wing]

I am not sure to tale the word you use "temptation. God does not tempt anyone according to the book James.

You are correct. I apologize for my error.

 

[enigmadi]

In the last year I've watched as my faith has taken a large decline. It initially began over the idea of not being able to stop living a lust filled life (but that isn't what this question is about), and after talking to my girlfriend I realized there seems to be this huge hole in my knowledge about living as a sinner.

You see my girlfriend is a social worker, and constantly has to deal with patients who do not have the ability to properly reason. The idea that they need God is almost impossible for some of them to grasp. And the idea that they could stop the sinful ways they live? It's basically impossible. Like asking a potato to run.

Or I have a friend who was sexually abused growing up. He is a smart person, but his whole view on sexuality has completely been distorted. And we basically ask him to just "stop sinning"?

I don't understand it. I can understand a life living in pain, or without something. At least that has taught me something in my journey. But living a life of sin, where hope to remove it is essentially non existent? I don't understand how God can put us in that place. We didn't ask for these things to be part of our lives, they're just there. And we're told we need to remove them from our lives.

 

[enigmadi]

I Corinthians 10:13 is the answer... But, it requires us to actively SEEK God's help through prayer and His Word. He is not our "magic genie" who grants our demands in our time but the God who promises to be there with us.

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

What if you taught your child not to run into the street, and they knew it was bad, but they couldn't stop themselves from doing it?

What I want...is for God to help his children when they want to turn to Him.

I want that too...dometimes his answer is no..and I dont understand why

 

[ToBeLoved]

I want that too...dometimes his answer is no..and I dont understand why

If you knew something that your child didn't realize would hurt them, for example jumping in the deep side of the pool when they can't swim? Would you let them do it?


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[Far Side Of the Moon]

If you knew something that your child didn't realize would hurt them, for example jumping in the deep side of the pool when they can't swim? Would you let them do it?


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I understand that..but when I ask god why my former pastor treated me the way she did..why me out of all the people there... I get nothing.. When I asked him to take the anger I felt for her away..again.. Nothing...

Those are the type of questions in talking about

 

[FireDragon76]

Moon, maybe your anger was justified, maybe that is why God is not taking it away. Sometimes it's OK to be angry, especially if we have been hurt unjustly.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Okay. At first I couldn't tell if you wanted to stop sinning or not(just from the OP post).
I read some more, and it seems definitely your goal/ purpose/ desire of your heart.

Good.

God hasn't abandoned you, nor has He left you alone, or without a way to DO what you are seeking to DO.

HIS WORD provides the answer to all your questions. Simply , actually. No big secret.

Oh, it is a BIG CHANGE in your life. Are you ready ? Are you sure ?

OP QUOTE "mikemack, In the last year I've watched as my faith has taken a large decline. It initially began over the idea of not being able to stop living a lust filled life (but that isn't what this question is about), and after talking to my girlfriend I realized there seems to be this huge hole in my knowledge about living as a sinner.

You see my girlfriend is a social worker, and constantly has to deal with patients who do not have the ability to properly reason. The idea that they need God is almost impossible for some of them to grasp. And the idea that they could stop the sinful ways they live? It's basically impossible. Like asking a potato to run.

Or I have a friend who was sexually abused growing up. He is a smart person, but his whole view on sexuality has completely been distorted. And we basically ask him to just "stop sinning"?

I don't understand it. I can understand a life living in pain, or without something. At least that has taught me something in my journey. But living a life of sin, where hope to remove it is essentially non existent? I don't understand how God can put us in that place. We didn't ask for these things to be part of our lives, they're just there. And we're told we need to remove them from our lives.QUOTE

 

[Far Side Of the Moon]

Moon, maybe your anger was justified, maybe that is why God is not taking it away. Sometimes it's OK to be angry, especially if we have been hurt unjustly.

Maybe your right... I asked him many times to take it away..but maybe youre right.

 

[ToBeLoved]

I understand that..but when I ask god why my former pastor treated me the way she did..why me out of all the people there... I get nothing.. When I asked him to take the anger I felt for her away..again.. Nothing...

Those are the type of questions in talking about

Are you surrendering that anger to Him? Knowing it is sinful bit to forgive? Give yourself some time. Doesn't happen overnight. Just keep asking him for a heart of forgiveness.


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[Far Side Of the Moon]

Are you surrendering that anger to Him? Knowing it is sinful bit to forgive? Give yourself some time. Doesn't happen overnight. Just keep asking him for a heart of forgiveness.


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The only way I know is to pray about it.. I tried to apologize ( even though I didnt do anything wrong..but I was that person) and they wouldn't accept it..they kinda shoved the apology in my face..making the anger worse..they wouldn't acknowledge their wrong..thought they were right and that was that... So its literally out of my hands..

I tried to make it right even though it wasn't my fault , I apologized when I wasn't in the wrong and the person was still an *** ... I've prayed about it for quite some time..

But..nothing has happened...theres nothing I can do ..i did all I could do humanely...