Is Struggling with sin normal?

[RaymondG]

Someone told me this a few days ago and iv been wondering if Struggling with sin is a normal thing as a christian.

Of Course it is normal for members of churches or anyone in the world to struggle with sin.

However, this is not the case for those born of God.....for they doeth not commit sin.
If one finds themselves struggling with sin, it would be better to go back to the alter and do their first works over......as oppose to being content with the fact that they are just like everyone else. For we are chosen and set apart.....not just like everyone else.....

 

[PaulCyp1]

Of course it is. The biggest difference between Christians and non-Christians is that Christians DO struggle with their sins, instead of just accepting them or even enjoying them. And that struggle eventually results in healing, having to struggle less, and eventually freedom from various kinds of sin.

 

[JacksBratt]

Of Course it is normal for members of churches or anyone in the world to struggle with sin.

However, this is not the case for those born of God.....for they doeth not commit sin.
If one finds themselves struggling with sin, it would be better to go back to the alter and do their first works over......as oppose to being content with the fact that they are just like everyone else. For we are chosen and set apart.....not just like everyone else.....

This discussion has been on this forum many times.

And, I will state it once again. I am a child of God... Accepted Christ, Baptized, and living everyday to be better and more like Christ.

However, I am not living without sinning. Anyone who has said that they are, like me, a child of God and lives without sinning.... has just committed one.. lying.

Lets start with some simple ones..

1/ Eating too much..... Gluttony
2/ Laziness
3/ Unwarranted anger
4/ Saying even "oh my God"
5/ Wishing you could have anything.. Larger house, nicer car, better job, better golf clubs, nicer body, prettier wife, more handsome husband, greener grass.... the list is endless.
6/ Lust or looking at someone attractive and enjoying what you see.
7/ Speeding
8/ Saying you forgot when you didn't. Saying you will do something when you know you won't.
9/Jealousy
10/ selfishness


Need I go on?

We all sin... still.... even as Christ's children.

So..... yes... Christians still struggle with sin... even though every one of them is still forgiven by Christ... we are still trying not to sin... and still fail.


Non Christians... why would they struggle? They don't accept Christ.. they don't acknowledge that they are sinners. They don't acknowledge that they need a savior or that there is a savior.. or that there is even a heaven or hell.

Why... why would they struggle? Because they want to be nice? They want to be good? They want to be moral?..... Why?

I'll tell ya... because they still know deep down what is wrong... what is right. God wrote it on our DNA.

These non believers just think that they can do it on their own by being "good".... However... we cannot and that is why we need Christ.

Not to make us people who don't sin anymore.. but to cleanse us from the sins we have committed and will commit.

 

[RaymondG]

This discussion has been on this forum many times.

And, I will state it once again. I am a child of God... Accepted Christ, Baptized, and living everyday to be better and more like Christ.

However, I am not living without sinning. Anyone who has said that they are, like me, a child of God and lives without sinning.... has just committed one.. lying.

Lets start with some simple ones..

1/ Eating too much..... Gluttony
2/ Laziness
3/ Unwarranted anger
4/ Saying even "oh my God"
5/ Wishing you could have anything.. Larger house, nicer car, better job, better golf clubs, nicer body, prettier wife, more handsome husband, greener grass.... the list is endless.
6/ Lust or looking at someone attractive and enjoying what you see.
7/ Speeding
8/ Saying you forgot when you didn't. Saying you will do something when you know you won't.
9/Jealousy
10/ selfishness


Need I go on?

We all sin... still.... even as Christ's children.

So..... yes... Christians still struggle with sin... even though every one of them is still forgiven by Christ... we are still trying not to sin... and still fail.


Non Christians... why would they struggle? They don't accept Christ.. they don't acknowledge that they are sinners. They don't acknowledge that they need a savior or that there is a savior.. or that there is even a heaven or hell.

Why... why would they struggle? Because they want to be nice? They want to be good? They want to be moral?..... Why?

I'll tell ya... because they still know deep down what is wrong... what is right. God wrote it on our DNA.

These non believers just think that they can do it on their own by being "good".... However... we cannot and that is why we need Christ.

Not to make us people who don't sin anymore.. but to cleanse us from the sins we have committed and will commit.

Everything you said is true.......for you. I believe you struggle with all the sin you say you struggle with. And I find no fault in you being content in remaining in this state, or believing that you have no choice in the matter.

I do not, however, believe this to be true for all. I believe there are a few that are made prefect, a few that can do what Jesus did and greater things than those, a few that will believe and receive every promise listed in the Word.

And I, like you, believe that most will struggle with sin......But I encourage all to strive to be the few....not the multitude....for it is possible to those that believe.

 

[faithonly]

Someone told me this a few days ago and iv been wondering if Struggling with sin is a normal thing as a christian.

Someone told me and showed me from the Bible that those who believe and have eternal life, will never perish, and have their eternal destiny sealed no matter what. I used to struggle and try to overcome sin: I prayed a lot and asked for God's help: sometimes it went better and sometimes worse, but it was just a really hard struggle all the time.

Since I understood that my eternal destiny is secure and that my works do not have any affect on my eternal destiny, it has made a huge difference in my life. I decided what is the use to try: it does not matter anyway! Oh, I still go to church occasionally and I don't drink in front of my parents, but I have gone back to my old, relaxing, and really somewhat obnoxious friends! Hey, but it is a lot of fun, and I know I will get into heaven in the end.

My advice: Quit struggling about the sin issue! Relax! Have fun! All you have to do to get to heaven is to believe that Jesus died on the cross for you.

 

[fhansen]

Someone told me this a few days ago and iv been wondering if Struggling with sin is a normal thing as a christian.

Struggling with sin is actually part of the refining and sanctification process. It's a matter of our wills becoming aligned with God's, not an overnight occurrence by any means.

 

[CharismaticLady]

Struggling with sin is actually part of the refining and sanctification process. It's a matter of our wills becoming aligned with God's, not an overnight occurrence by any means.

I found that I only "struggled" with sin for the first 30 years of going to church before I was baptized in the Holy Spirit; then losing the "struggle" WAS an overnight experience. I was finally born again of the Spirit.

That concerns me about the rest of the Church that may be where I was without the Holy Spirit, and just head knowledge. They are struggling and oblivious as to why.

Romans 8:9 teaches us that without actually being filled with the Spirit (that only comes through true repentance Acts 2:38), they do not belong to Christ; and Jesus will someday say to them, "I never knew you."

If anyone is still struggling with sin, please get honest with God and yourself. Do you love sin more than God, or would you really want to be free. If you want to be free, repent and ask Jesus to give you the power He had to not sin - the Holy Spirit, the seed of the Father, 1 John 3:9. You'll be amazed at the difference the Spirit makes in your life. You will be a new creature in Christ, and be dead to sin.

 

[ViaCrucis]

Someone told me this a few days ago and iv been wondering if Struggling with sin is a normal thing as a christian.

Yes, struggling with sin is normal. It's part of the Christian life here in this world as simul iustus et peccator, as both saints and sinners. As Christians we have been redeemed, saved, and justified by the grace of God through Christ's work; but we are still sinners as we continue live this mortal, corruptible life. So we struggle, and strive against sin here in this life; the new man against the old man. The glory of the resurrection and the perfection of our conformity to Jesus Christ does not happen until the resurrection of the dead, so in this life we struggle, we face tribulation, hardship, and there is suffering--we carry our cross here.

This life is not glory, but a cross.
Glory is what awaits us in the life which is to come, when the dead are raised and God makes all things new. For then and there God will wipe away every tear from our eyes, for there is no more death, sickness, or suffering.

-CryptoLutheran

 

[Xavier Cane]

Listen to what I said, not just look at it.
Seeing you see, and not perceive; and hearing you hear, and not understand;
lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them.

It would appear as though, you have a lot more milk to drink before you will be able to digest strong meat which belongs to them that are of full age, while you have need that one teach you again and are such as have need of milk.

You persist in looking at things as your Old Man of the Flesh always has.




My righteousness is, "The Righteousness of God" which does in fact exceed that of the Pharisees, they were looking at the Flesh the same as you are now doing.

2 Cor. 5:21
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

In other words, "We are the Righteousness of God In Christ"

Rom. 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.

You say all of the right things, what is it that will not let you believe them?

Your conversation is, God says this, and this and this, then you end by saying "BUT" which then negates everything you have said you so fervently believe.

You always end up back in the Flesh, trying to do it for yourself, rather than accepting what Jesus has already done for you.




Rom 8:1,2
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.

Are you able to provide a verse which speaks of a believer living my the Moral Law, or any verse where the Moral Law is mentioned?



You are absolutely correct, I place my Faith in Christ alone.

Gal. 2:20
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Heb. 7:25
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

I have a question for you! Please don't write me a book, I've read most of what you said. I just have this one question, well actually two, and you can simply reply with a yes or no.

Question 1: Are you sinless and perfect in every way?
Question 2: When was the last time you asked God to forgive you for something wrong you may have done?

I think you are a liar. That's what John calls you if your answer is yes and never. And a bi self-righteous from what I can see. IJS

 

[CharismaticLady]

I have a question for you! Please don't write me a book, I've read most of what you said. I just have this one question, well actually two, and you can simply reply with a yes or no.

Question 1: Are you sinless and perfect in every way?
Question 2: When was the last time you asked God to forgive you for something wrong you may have done?

I think you are a liar. That's what John calls you if your answer is yes and never. And a bi self-righteous from what I can see. IJS

If a person without Christ says they have no sin, then, yes, they are a liar. That is what 1 John 1:8 means. What they must do to be saved is the next verse which puts it in context. Notice that ALL of their sins are cleansed. Chapter one is a contrast of light vs. dark. Light: 5, 7, and 9. Darkness 6, 8, and 10.

Don't forget John also wrote 1 John 3:9.

 

[Xavier Cane]

If a person without Christ says they have no sin, then, yes, they are a liar. That is what 1 John 1:8 means. What they must do to be saved is the next verse which puts it in context. Notice that ALL of their sins are cleansed. Chapter one is a contrast of light vs. dark. Light: 5, 7, and 9. Darkness 6, 8, and 10.

Don't forget John also wrote 1 John 3:9.

1 John 3:9 means to practice sin....
1 John 2:1 MY little children (represents a family), these things I write unto you that you sin not...obvouslsy, it is possible to sin after you have been born again of the Spirit (a child of God). However, the Spirit of God will not allow a person to continue to practice a sinful lifestyle. No one is sinless and perfect....nor will they ever be in this life...Not until the trump sounds. We all miss the mark...unless you are perfect, and no one is perfect. Only 1 - Jesus Christ.

 

[RaymondG]

I have a question for you! Please don't write me a book, I've read most of what you said. I just have this one question, well actually two, and you can simply reply with a yes or no.

Question 1: Are you sinless and perfect in every way?
Question 2: When was the last time you asked God to forgive you for something wrong you may have done?

I think you are a liar. That's what John calls you if your answer is yes and never. And a bi self-righteous from what I can see. IJS

Would you also call John a liar for saying the following? :"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."

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

What else did Yahuweh Say through John ? (about sin) (about Ekklesia sinning)

 

[RaymondG]

1 John 3:9 means to practice sin....

What is the difference in one who randomly sins, and one who practices it....which is better, and which type of sin do you deem ok for those, born of God to commit?

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

Someone told me this a few days ago and iv been wondering if Struggling with sin is a normal thing as a christian.

From the looks of it, after 50+ posts in the thread,
the answer is not being clarified nor made known to most posters/ readers/ visitors or members.

It is such a STRUGGLE, just to find the TRUTH ! (here) (don't trust men, btw)

 

[Xavier Cane]

If a person without Christ says they have no sin, then, yes, they are a liar. That is what 1 John 1:8 means. What they must do to be saved is the next verse which puts it in context. Notice that ALL of their sins are cleansed. Chapter one is a contrast of light vs. dark. Light: 5, 7, and 9. Darkness 6, 8, and 10.

Don't forget John also wrote 1 John 3:9.

Would you also call John a liar for saying the following? :"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."

No, but I would say that whoever thinks that John is referring to sinless perfection has a misunderstanding of the bible. The words used in the Greek language for Commit Sin literally means to practice, as in a lifestyle of sinful behavior...not a mistake...like going over the highway speed limit because you are not paying attention....oh, that's a sin by the way lol. No one gets to claim perfection in this life.

 

[RaymondG]

No, but I would say that whoever thinks that John is referring to sinless perfection has a misunderstanding of the bible. The words used in the Greek language for Commit Sin literally means to practice, as in a lifestyle of sinful behavior...not a mistake...like going over the highway speed limit because you are not paying attention....oh, that's a sin by the way lol. No one gets to claim perfection in this life.

This is good news for those who wish to no longer feel conviction of sin.... But is it the good news? Im not so sure..

 

[Xavier Cane]

What is the difference in one who randomly sins, and one who practices it....which is better, and which type of sin do you deem ok for those, born of God to commit?

If any man sin, we have an advocate. It is not saying that any sin is okay, rather, we still live in the sinful flesh, wherein the sin nature still abides, but is to not have dominion....For sin shall not have dominion over you...

Sinless perfection is unbiblical. Actually, to say that you cannot sin at all means that you have no more free moral agency...and the Holy Spirit has taken full control, and you have no way to say yes or no to God..which actually means you have reached full maturity and are like Christ in every fashion. No...not so. NO one can claim that, until they reach Glory.

 

[Xavier Cane]

This is good news for those who wish to no longer feel conviction of sin.... But is it the good news? Im not so sure..

It is good to know that you have reached perfection, and no longer need to grow in grace and the knowledge of the lord. Amen.

 

[yeshuaslavejeff]

No, but I would say that whoever thinks that John is referring to sinless perfection has a misunderstanding of the bible. The words used in the Greek language for Commit Sin literally means to practice, as in a lifestyle of sinful behavior...not a mistake...like going over the highway speed limit because you are not paying attention....oh, that's a sin by the way lol. No one gets to claim perfection in this life.

Oh, btw, lol, a lot of people do claim it......

and THAT'S A SIN itself! Isn't it! HAHA.......

(IF by 'perfection' you mean perfect sinlessness, which is only achieved by the Father's accomplishment)

(IF by 'perfection' in this life, you mean like LOOK > HE IS A PERFECT football player, or something like that, that is very possible to achieve , yes, in multitudes of ways... including in the Christian Life that Jesus Says is REQUIRED (NOT OPTIONAL) .... )