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Is worrying/anxiety a sin? How to deal with it

tonychanyt

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G3307 μερίζω (merízō): to apportion, to divide, to disunite

G3308 μέριμνα (mérimna) from 3307: the state of being concerned and preoccupied, through the idea of distraction

G3309 μεριμνάω (merimnáō) from 3308: worry, concern, preoccupy

G3309 appears 19 times in the NT.

NIV Matthew 6:

25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry [G3309] about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.
The same Greek word is translated as "anxious" in English Standard Version:

“Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing?
Luke 10:

41 "Martha, Martha," the Lord answered, "you are worried [G3309] and upset about many things"
But then, the same Greek lexeme appears in 1 Corinthians 7:

32 I would like you to be free from concern [G3309]. An unmarried man is **concerned ** [G3309] about the Lord's affairs—how he can please the Lord.
It is not a sin to concern G3309 about pleasing God.

The English concept of worrying is not a good thing. The Greek original concept of G3309 is ambiguous. It could mean worry or concern, or it could be a good thing.

Is worrying or anxiety a sin?

That depends on whether you are worrying negatively or are concerned positively about something.

How to deal with negative anxiety?

Practice peace as a way of life. Philippians 4:

Look to Jesus. Focus on the Paraclete who dwells in you. He is your peace. Instead of dealing with anxiety on a case-by-case basis, practice the general solution of growing your faith daily. The more you grow spiritually, the less you will experience negative anxiety.
 
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