How bad is it to be a sinner?

[LittleLion]

I understand that the question may be somewhat vague, but please bear with me.


How bad is it to be a sinner?

Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?

 

[Adstar]

One should hate sin. And take no joy in unrighteousness.

If one feels bad about sin then one is agreeing with God in spirit.

If one takes delight in sin then one is in rebellion against the will of God.

If you look at the following scripture you will see that its not just the sin but the attitude of the sinner,

Proverbs 6
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Some people seek to run to evil Some people seek to run away from it.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[LittleLion]

I can say with surety that I hate sin. I avoid it and try to act without sin.

But this doesn't seem to bring me anywhere further.

 

[jasperbound]

I can say with surety that I hate sin. I avoid it and try to act without sin.

But this doesn't seem to bring me anywhere further.

That's good you do, but you probably won't ever avoid sin completely in this lifetime though. That's why Jesus suffered shame on the cross that we probably deserve to have on our heads, so that we would not have to suffer infinite shame (i.e. Hell).

It's good that you try to avoid sin. With such a mindset, you'll be able to reduce it gradually.

I should also mention that placing your life into the hands of God and giving your sin to Him will probably make it easier to avoid it. After all, we can't do it ourselves.

 

[Adstar]

I will go further and say that we will never avoid sin in this life. We will never stop all sin and become perfect. That’s why God has provided salvation through Jesus.



While it is Nobel to desire to totally remove sin from our lives. It is good enough for us to seek to do good for others and resist our own sin. To put it simply our righteousness can only exist in our minds in our current condition. If you like we can be Spiritually minded while still being in our carnal body.


All Praise The Ancient Of Days

 

[Defiant]

One should hate sin. And take no joy in unrighteousness.

If one feels bad about sin then one is agreeing with God in spirit.

If one takes delight in sin then one is in rebellion against the will of God.

If you look at the following scripture you will see that its not just the sin but the attitude of the sinner,

Proverbs 6
16 These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: 17 A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, 18 A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, 19 A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.

Some people seek to run to evil Some people seek to run away from it.

All Praise The Ancient Of Days

I could not have said it better. Excellent answer.

 

[Rafael]

I can say with surety that I hate sin. I avoid it and try to act without sin.

But this doesn't seem to bring me anywhere further.

Don't feel like the lone ranger. Paul felt bad about his sin in his flesh by his spirit man, but he still had the same problem we all face with our flesh. It flesh cries out for the gratification of its lusts and desires, and we are never free from this conflict until we leave these bodies and inhabit our new ones. Notice what the apostle Pual says in Romans and then in his letter to the Galatians regarding the dual nature we have once we are born again of God' Spirit. The flesh wars against the Spirit.

Romans 7:15 (NLT) I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do the very thing I hate.
16 I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience shows that I agree that the law is good.
17 But I can’t help myself, because it is sin inside me that makes me do these evil things.
18 I know I am rotten through and through so far as my old sinful nature is concerned. No matter which way I turn, I can’t make myself do right. I want to, but I can’t.
19 When I want to do good, I don’t. And when I try not to do wrong, I do it anyway.
20 But if I am doing what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing it; the sin within me is doing it.
21 It seems to be a fact of life that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong.
22 I love God’s law with all my heart.
23 But there is another law at work within me that is at war with my mind. This law wins the fight and makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.
24 Oh, what a miserable person I am! Who will free me from this life that is dominated by sin?
25 Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God’s law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin.

Galatisns 5:16 (KJV) This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

Galatians 5:16 (NLT) So I advise you to live according to your new life in the Holy Spirit. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.
17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

 

[ghs1994]

Being a sinner can be lots of fun.

Unfortunately for the unbeliever, that fun won't last long.

In the end, the love of Jesus is all you have to hold on to.

 

[jasperbound]

Think of it like a relationship. A few years ago, I had friends to whom I was quite bad, but they stayed by me despite my transgressions because (as they told me) they knew what was in my heart and they forgave me. God's the same way. He knows what's in your heart, and if what's in it is good (cleansed of sin by the blood of Christ), then you won't want to sin anymore, but you still will anyway (because old habits die hard and our bodies and minds are weak and addicted to it), but God will forgive you and help you (just as my friends helped me [which was God's work]) become a better person.
Don't worry about it so much. Just fight sin as you can, ask God to help you out, and don't feel shame because of it, for God bore that shame on the cross so that you wouldn't have to.

 

[LittleLion]

Rafael,

Don't feel like the lone ranger. Paul felt bad about his sin in his flesh by his spirit man, but he still had the same problem we all face with our flesh. It flesh cries out for the gratification of its lusts and desires, and we are never free from this conflict until we leave these bodies and inhabit our new ones. Notice what the apostle Pual says in Romans and then in his letter to the Galatians regarding the dual nature we have once we are born again of God' Spirit. The flesh wars against the Spirit.

I can eat, drink and sleep. This is all I can do. And think about God. I have no lust to give in to, no other desire but to get out of this darkness I am in now.
My flesh does not war against the Spirit. It is something else that wars against the Spirit.

 

[Edial]

Hello there, LittleLion.

I understand that the question may be somewhat vague, but please bear with me.

How bad is it to be a sinner?

In case you mean the eternal consequences - the sinner that rejected Christ will spend his/her immediate afterlife in the World of the Departed Dead (Hades/Sheol) where he/she will continue rejecting God.
Due to his rejection he will "travel" farther away from God and by the time the Great Judgement arrives (sometime in the future) both the inhabitants of the Hades and of the Earth will reach the "peak" of their disobedience to God and will no longer "comprehend" nor hear him due to their "yelling" at him by now, for explanations.
Then they will qualify (due to their insubordination) to be "put outside".
Since there will be only 2 places left the Kingdom of God and the Outside.

MT 8:10 When Jesus heard this, he was astonished and said to those following him, "I tell you the truth, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. 11 I say to you that many will come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. 12 But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

If you mean how bad it is to live as a sinner as far as the life on this Earth is concerned?
It is not as bad as it seems.
Actually it is not too bad at all.
In Psalm 73 Asaph was wondering how come the bad guys prosper and don't seem to have problems?
Their afterlife is the real answer to his question, but as far as making a living here for 75 years - sin pays.

Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?

Actually it is very hard being ashamed of something that one does not understand the consequences of.
How can one be ashamed of a lie when he does not know that this lie caused a death of a newborn, for example?
We usually are ashamed when our self-esteem if affected and we feel low and put down - otherwise, we get used to it rather quickly. Biblically it is called " a hardening of the heart". Eventually we'll get so used to doing it to ourselves, that God himself will help us do it.
So, no. You cannot be ashamed of something that you have no understanding of.
On the other hand, though, in the World of the Departed Dead (Hades/Sheol) we will be so shamed that we will be very quite due to shame.
I cannot imagine the circumstances or the scenario. But I understand that we will understand/see all the consequences of our sins and that will make a natural impression of shame on us.
PS 31:14 But as for me, I trust in Thee, O LORD, I say, "Thou art my God." 15 My times are in Thy hand; Deliver me from the hand of my enemies, and from those who persecute me. 16 Make Thy face to shine upon Thy servant; Save me in Thy lovingkindness. 17 Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I call upon Thee; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol. 18 Let the lying lips be dumb, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt.

I can say with surety that I hate sin. I avoid it and try to act without sin.

In order to hate sin one needs to understand sin and its consequences.
You probably hate violence, deceit, abuse of children even "gluttony" .
All these affect our personal well-being. It threatens our "me". So, one hates what can potentially harm him.

But hating sin means hating all the unrighteousness.
The one that hates (and this is a very strong emotion) will stand up in the crowd of his peers and condemn any wrongdoing that is against God.

But this doesn't seem to bring me anywhere further.

It is not designed to.
To come to Christ one needs to come "as you are" - no shower is necessary.

I can eat, drink and sleep. This is all I can do. And think about God. I have no lust to give in to, no other desire but to get out of this darkness I am in now.

Good.

My flesh does not war against the Spirit. It is something else that wars against the Spirit.

There a 2 things that are in war against the Spirit in your specific case LittleLion (since we know each other a bit) -
1. You yourself (not your habits), but you yourself.
2. The spirit of the Satan that is with you.

It is your soul that is crying out - you are arguing against it.

The answer to it is quite simple - GET UP, FIND/CALL A BORN-AGAIN BELIVER, PRAY TO CHRIST TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE.
Do not worry, the LittleLion, God will take over once you GET UP.

Also, it is not the answers that you are looking for, the LittleLion, but the satisfaction of your soul.


PS 63:5 My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.


Love,
Ed

 

[bethdinsmore]

LittleLion, hi

"How bad is it to be a sinner?" Bad enough that just one sinner would have caused Jesus' death.

"Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?" No. (Shame is a toxic feeling, the lowest rung on the self image scale.) Ideally, we should feel convicted, and sorry we sin. Then we should sincerely confess the sin to God and move on, determined not to do it again (which is possible as we lean on Him for the strength). "The righteous man, though he falls seven times, rises up again."

Here's what God says about those who have trusted in Jesus alone as their sinbearer (without any good works of their own): "There is now therefore no more condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus." (Rom. 8:1)

God sees us as human BEINGS, not as human DOINGS. We need to see ourselves the same way.

aloha in Jesus

 

[Rafael]

Rafael,




I can eat, drink and sleep. This is all I can do. And think about God. I have no lust to give in to, no other desire but to get out of this darkness I am in now.
My flesh does not war against the Spirit. It is something else that wars against the Spirit.

The nature we are born with in the flesh is to sin and die. We have inherited it from Adam, and are enslaved to that nature - to sin and die. God can deliever us from the condition when we place our trust in Him. You may think that the sins of the flesh are only thing you can do with arms and legs, but they are also things we do with our mind - how we think and hold things in our mind.
The devil has a voice too, and he speaks all that is opposite of faith in God. It would be his work to inspire doubt and fear for what is truth and light. We have a choice and are told to resist the devil and he will flee. Yes, the devil wars against the Spirit, too, and infact, the Bible says that it is thses pricipalites and powers in high places that we fight against. Not the flesh and blood of others. We choose for ourselves, but we still have to battle with the devil and his demonic powers who rule this world. This is why the Bible tells us to not love the world, but to love God, as this fallen world is eventually passing away.

Eph 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

Jas 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you.

1 John 2:15 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.
17 And this world is fading away, along with everything it craves. But if you do the will of God, you will live forever.

 

[LittleLion]

Edial,

We usually are ashamed when our self-esteem if affected and we feel low and put down - otherwise, we get used to it rather quickly. Biblically it is called " a hardening of the heart".

As far as I can tell, my disposition towards sin is that of shame, but I do not see this shame as something that affects my self-esteem and I do not feel put down. Low, yes, but not put down.
Embarrassed, stupid and flawed, yes. But not put down. There is no me that would be so high that could then be put down, so to speak.

Eventually we'll get so used to doing it to ourselves, that God himself will help us do it.

Explain. God Himself will help us harden our hearts? How does that make sense?

In order to hate sin one needs to understand sin and its consequences.
You probably hate violence, deceit, abuse of children even "gluttony" .
All these affect our personal well-being. It threatens our "me". So, one hates what can potentially harm him.

But hating sin means hating all the unrighteousness.
The one that hates (and this is a very strong emotion) will stand up in the crowd of his peers and condemn any wrongdoing that is against God.

While I do not stand up in the crowd and shout foul, I do point out things that I deem wrong. Some people will probably call me subversive.

There a 2 things that are in war against the Spirit in your specific case LittleLion (since we know each other a bit) -
1. You yourself (not your habits), but you yourself.

What do you mean by that?

I think you are assuming ulterior motives when there are none.

It is your soul that is crying out - you are arguing against it.

I am arguing against my soul? Show me examples of that! You know what my soul is?

The answer to it is quite simple - GET UP, FIND/CALL A BORN-AGAIN BELIVER, PRAY TO CHRIST TO COME INTO YOUR LIFE.
Do not worry, the LittleLion, God will take over once you GET UP.

Just like that, I should say words that are to me just that -- words?

Also, it is not the answers that you are looking for, the LittleLion, but the satisfaction of your soul.

Alright.


* * *

bethdinsmore,

"Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?" No. (Shame is a toxic feeling, the lowest rung on the self image scale.) Ideally, we should feel convicted, and sorry we sin. Then we should sincerely confess the sin to God and move on, determined not to do it again (which is possible as we lean on Him for the strength). "The righteous man, though he falls seven times, rises up again."

Can you tell me where is sin? Is it between one person and the other, or between a person and God?

How is a sinner to behave towards another person?

Can a sinner love?


* * *

Rafael,

The nature we are born with in the flesh is to sin and die. We have inherited it from Adam, and are enslaved to that nature - to sin and die. God can deliever us from the condition when we place our trust in Him. You may think that the sins of the flesh are only thing you can do with arms and legs, but they are also things we do with our mind - how we think and hold things in our mind.

In that case, by "flesh" you probably mean "clinging on to the material and see it as the ultimate goal".

Eph 6:12 For we are not fighting against people made of flesh and blood, but against the evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against those mighty powers of darkness who rule this world, and against wicked spirits in the heavenly realms.

"Translated", this would mean 'we are fighting against the misplacement of authority; which has been misplaced into the worldly, instead into God'.

1 John 2:15 Stop loving this evil world and all that it offers you, for when you love the world, you show that you do not have the love of the Father in you.
16 For the world offers only the lust for physical pleasure, the lust for everything we see, and pride in our possessions. These are not from the Father. They are from this evil world.

But we are told to love our neighbour!!

What does it mean to love your neighbour?

 

[ChristianDude777]

Hey Lion,

How are you..?

Explain. God Himself will help us harden our hearts? How does that make sense?

I think what was meant here is that if we continually ignore the conviction of the Holy Spirit when we sin, God will eventually turn us over to the sin and let us "have at it" so to speak. This is somewhat vague in the Scriptures as some point to this idea and other don't. But I do believe that they do teach that if we continually follow sinful lusts, we will eventually reach a line that is very difficult, if not impossible, to turn back from.

Just like that, I should say words that are to me just that -- words?

Do you believe to any degree that prayer to God has any affect..?

Can you tell me where is sin? Is it between one person and the other, or between a person and God?

There is the condition of sin, in which we're all born, which is in direction relation to God...(separates us from God so to speak)

Then there are "acts" or "deeds" of sin (stealing, lying, etc). These can be commited against other people or against God (idolatry, etc). The deeds of sin are simlar to the symptoms of the condition of sin.

How is a sinner to behave towards another person?

What does your conscience tell you..?

Can a sinner love?

Absolutely.

In that case, by "flesh" you probably mean "clinging on to the material and see it as the ultimate goal".

Flesh is the part of us that is non-spiritual. The part of us that wants everything for the ME inside of us. Not the best explanation, I know...but the best I can do this early...

"Translated", this would mean 'we are fighting against the misplacement of authority; which has been misplaced into the worldly, instead into God'.

Our enemies in this world are spiritual. People aren't the bad guys....demonic spirits are. Satan is. It is those that attack us, those that want to destroy us, those that we battle with in the spiritual battle.

But we are told to love our neighbour!!

What does it mean to love your neighbour?

Excellent question...!!!!

If you see someone who needs something...not just wants it really bad but geniunely needs it....what do you do..?

Love will help that person....try to fulfill that need, be it some money for food or shelter, love when they feel lonely, encouragement when they are down, time when they need someone to talk to, fixing them a meal when they are hungry....etc.

During the winter, just after a snow, I went outside in the driveway to look at the white scenery. My next door neighbor was standing in front of his car with the hood up.

I asked him what the problem was and he said his car wouldn't crank and he had to get to work. He then said he was gonna walk to work as it was only a mile or so away.

I told him no need to do that. I asked him to give me a second to go in and grab my coat and I'd drive him to work. A very simple thing but it got him there warm and in only a minute or two. A very small expression of love for our fellow man. It can be that simple or something requiring great sacrifice of ourself. The greatest of which is dying for someone else.

Having said all that, it's important to remember that this love has to be from a genuine place in the heart that really cares about the other person. It's not about an obligation, which can cause grudges or bitterness to spring up...but a genuine love for the people around us.

Together with gentleness, patience, faith, (fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5), you'll see a real love. There's notihng in this world as fulfilling as making a sacrifice for someone else and seeing a real need met in their life. That's where you can see God (in a sense).

Take care Lion. God bless..

Tim L.

 

[heron]

The fruits of the Spirit are not our own strivings, so if you're feeling weak to resist, then lean on that verse. God provides us with help to accomplish things. The results of the Holy Spirit's involvement in your life are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, self-control.

We are all sinners. The gift of redemption is available to all.

 

[Tamara77777]

Hi Little Lion,
I would say NO you shouldn't be ashamed of being a SINNER, because everyone of us is a sinner. Those of us who have accepted JESUS gift of Salvation, are Still SINNERS< but we are SAVED sinners, Saved by HIS GRACE, HIS atonement covers us, and therefore HE is our SAVIOR. It is not on my own merits, or trying to be a good little christian, working hard at being a saved, it is by FAITH that the BLOOD of JESUS upon confession/repentance and IMPORTANT TO NOTE: allowing the HOLY SPIRIT to do His REGENERATION work and cleanse us on the inside out. Does that make sense to you?

Thought I would add: Are you doing something presently, that you're worried about? Or perhaps don't want to make any corrections? If so, than being honest about it is the best way. Jesus already knows your heart condtion/motives/intentions. He sees everything...and the beautiful thing is He UNDERSTANDS, and loves you in spite of the disobiedience/sin. He also was tempted on every side. So He can relate to us, You can talk to him, tell him how you feel about anything! That is where most people fail...they allow the guilt/condemnation keep them from just talking to Hi. Just wanted to throw that all in JUST IN CASE, so consider if food for thought.

Hope this helps! Tamara

I understand that the question may be somewhat vague, but please bear with me.


How bad is it to be a sinner?

Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?

 

[dhiannian]

I understand that the question may be somewhat vague, but please bear with me.


How bad is it to be a sinner?

Should one be infinitely ashamed of being a sinner?

I'd say yes to an extent, we should always remember that we are all sinners, and a christian is a sinner saved by grace, not of our own works.
we need to remain humble and thankful to Jesus for paying the ultimate price for our souls.
But we are all sinners, and will always be sinners.
We all sin, the difference is a christian wont live in sin if they are walking with God.
Although we do occasionally fall into sin for periods of time.
We were created with a sin nature. It's normal to sin, But if you are a christian you have the Holy Spirit grieving you of the sins you commit, and the disobedience against your heavenly father.

 

[Radagast]

... How bad is it to be a sinner? ...

Pretty bad. God created us to keep Him company... to rule the Cosmos... to add sparkle to Creation.

But we wound up being a blot on Creation instead. We ignored our spiritual side almost completely.

Yes, something to be ashamed of! But God has provided a solution... Jesus!

-- Radagast

 

[Apologetic]

How bad is it to be a sinner? Well, I'll let the Bible answer:

Rev 21:

5And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making all things new!" And then he said to me, "Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true." 6And he also said, "It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega--the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give the springs of the water of life without charge! 7All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. 8But cowards who turn away from me, and unbelievers, and the corrupt, and murderers, and the immoral, and those who practice witchcraft, and idol worshipers, and all liars--their doom is in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death."

This is how bad it is to be a sinner.

You see, every single one of us is a sinner. We have fallen short of the glory of God (Rom 3,12). This means we are guilty of sinning against God's holy law and this is a witness of our lack of love for God and one another. Lack of love is the main sin, placing ourselves and our needs and wants in first place and priority at all times. Lack of love is the sin against all of the law, because the sum of the law is this:

Luke 10,27-28: "You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, `Love your neighbor as yourself."

No one is able to keep this commandment, because everybody lacks love for both God and their neighbor! That's why Jesus had to come to earth to live life with perfect love for both God the Father and His neighbors in our place and then take upon Himself all of our sin and receive the punishment we are all worthy of - torture and death. He paid the price for your sins, and He paid it in blood. On the third day He rose from the dead, as a proof of His righteousness - that He did not Himself deserve to die - but on behalf of us, He did. When He rose again, He did so in your place as well. Jesus has made Himself responsible for all your sins before God. This has been done on behalf of all humanity, you too. All you need to do is accept it and thank God for it and He will clothe you in the righteousness of Jesus Christ, the Savior of all mankind!

Then, and only then, will you be a partaker of the new world and the new heavens.