Sin

[sjdean]

Hello again you guys.

I have come to realise that I feel Im being pulled into various different areas of sin. Im weak and not strong. Im still a relatively new christian and start my confirmation classes on monday.

I feel so guilty as if I should read the bible prior to that in its entirety or I need to lead a completely sin free life.

Im confused. What should I do about confirmation?

As for sin, I remember when I first started going to church, and I basically made a covenant with god for three weeks to give up a particular sin and I was tempted and tempted and even had some physical pain but I lasted to all but one day because the physical pain got too much.

Now Im just tempted without pain and I give in far too easily.

I think I need to re-do my covenant.

I feel I need to be devoting more time, more strength, more energy to Christ, Im beginning to feel Im christian in practice but not in spirit, I feel that satan/evil has too much influence and control, and he can be present making you think you're doing everything necessary when really you're failing.

What do I do?

Thanks
Simon

 

[over the rainbow]

x

 

[Bouke285]

Here is a great little bit of scripture which will sum up what I am about to say. Psalm 4: 4-5 Be angry, and do not sin. Mediate within your heart on your bed and be still. 5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And put your trust in the Lord. You see there is temptation all around us, but we need to remember God promised us a way out of all temptation, and he will not allow us to be tempted beyond what we can handle. When we accept Jesus Christ into our heart our spirit becomes alive (born) because of the spirit of God inside of us. Our body becomes a Temple of God we are always under his protection. It is also important to remember that we Do Not have to sin, we will because our flesh is very weak. When Jesus died on the cross and payed for our sins sin became dead, it's power gone. We must put all of our trust and faith into the hands of God because only by his extreme love and goodness will we be able to overcome the desires of our flesh, do not be affraid to make the earthly sacrifices of righteousness. God Bless

 

[Jeffwhosoever]

1 John 1:10:

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us."

Does this answer your question about a sin free life?

 

[savedbygracebre]

Read scripture- especially Romans ch. 7 written by the great apostle Paul who I deeply admire as a man who would stare death in the face(which he did constantly)and not reject God to his enemies! Talk about a man of faith! Now after I told you this read that chapter and noticed how much even he struggled with sin constantly-but also noticed where he turned for help to overcome(Jesus).

 

[insurchoftruth]

Romans 7:14-25, Romans 8:1-16, 26, Galatians 5:16-25, Acts 1:8

 

[Sketcher]

Temptation and sin is a part of everyday life. What you need to do is read and memorize 1 John 1:8-2:2. There's no reason to fear as you are fearing now. Christ canceled the sins that have been charged against you.

 

[heron]

Offer the sacrifices of righteousness

I like that example -- showing it is an effort and sacrifice for us, but not a requirement for salvation.

By grace are you saved, through faith -- not by your own righteousness.

Some of these feelings are natural when we are in a group of new people, and feel the need to prove to them our worth. Fit in the way we're used to fitting in. It's hard to get respect in an area we are so new, so our minds scramble to find ways to be approved.

I feel so guilty as if I should read the bible prior to that in its entirety or I need to lead a completely sin free life.

Moses didn't read the Bible in its entirety. (-;

Practicing this demand for perfection will anchor in a mindset that is dangerous to your faith. It is through God that you are made righteous. It is God that is your help, at your right hand. The sun does not smite you by day because of Him, not because of you.

As an instrument teacher will tell you -- don't practice errors by repeating them.

 

[alexanderjc]

Hello Simon,

You have been given some powerful scriptures that, if followed, will guide you in your christian walk. I would just like to add some of my thoughts on this issue that may help you as well.

First we all have been in your shoes in our strive for christian maturity and through our trials and tribulations God has given us growth that allowed us to achieve further victories over our adversary.

No testimony of victory expressed by any Child of God can be made without first saying that it was God's Holy Spirit that provided me His strength, wisdom and understanding to make it through.

While you reside in this mortal body it will be impossible for you to live a sin free life. We will stumble and fall that's in our nature which is the old man that we were born with before our conversion into christianity. We have two natures which are in constant battle; one sinful and the other righteous. The victory over one depends on how much growth and development that is given to it.

As long as you feed the "Spiritual Man", that part of you given after you accepted Jesus Christ as your personal savior, it will grow and become strong which will provide you victory over the temptation that will come to you through our adversary. 1 John 4:4 states "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world."

Serve the Lord one day at a time. I assure you that there is enough within each day to keep you spiritually occupied. Start each morning with prayer acknowledging God as your Father and giving Him thanks and praise for Him being in your life. Make time for devotion which will prepare you spiritually to handle what lies ahead in the present day. Talk with the God throughout the day, this will help you to keep Him in rememberance and also strengthen your fellowship with Him.

Finally trust that God is greater than our enemy and believe that if you commit your life to Him, He is more than able to sustain you no matter what circumstances the enemy places in your path and always remember this

2 Cor 10:3-5 "For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

Simon if you treat our Christian Faith as a way of life and not simply a feeling that one has you will soon come to understand that the bumps and bruises which builds our christian character is an inheritant learning process that makes us who we are. "Believers of the Faith and Children of an Omniscient and Omnipresent God!"


God Bless You

 

[Barefooter]

I would stress memorizing 1st John, 1:9. Confess every sin. When we realise we are completely forgiven it can take away that constant guilty feeling of having messed up. It is NOT a license to sin. As we learn more of Christ and what it cost Him to die for us we become more sensitive to sin. But we need to remember that we are forgiven and so don't become so occupied with our failures, bur rather what God has done for us.

 

[Revived]

I believe it's imperative that you make a concerted effort to avoid conventional wisdom and immerse yourself in prayer and in the Bible...cultivating your relationship with Christ and relying on the wisdom you will inevitably begin to acquire.

When you begin consuming God's word consistently, you become empowered by the Holy Spirit and you begin to witness God unfold its mysteries to you piece by piece, bit by bit.

Also remember that the waiting can be painstaking but, once we're in tune with the Holy Spirit, it prompts introspection that enables us to discern between where we are and where we’ve been. God is amazing in His love for us and if we can avoid placing focus on the answer to our prayers, we are more likely to focus on the existing blessings and changes that have already taken place.

Prayerfully,
Derrick

 

[throughchristimchanged]

Hello again you guys.

I have come to realise that I feel Im being pulled into various different areas of sin. Im weak and not strong. Im still a relatively new christian and start my confirmation classes on monday.

I feel so guilty as if I should read the bible prior to that in its entirety or I need to lead a completely sin free life.

Im confused. What should I do about confirmation?

As for sin, I remember when I first started going to church, and I basically made a covenant with god for three weeks to give up a particular sin and I was tempted and tempted and even had some physical pain but I lasted to all but one day because the physical pain got too much.

Now Im just tempted without pain and I give in far too easily.

I think I need to re-do my covenant.

I feel I need to be devoting more time, more strength, more energy to Christ, Im beginning to feel Im christian in practice but not in spirit, I feel that satan/evil has too much influence and control, and he can be present making you think you're doing everything necessary when really you're failing.

What do I do?

Thanks
Simon

in time, just a follow up how are things going now.?.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Sjdean. We all sin, and Jesus died that we might live. But Jesus also told us: " The first and great Commandment is: " Love God with all your hearts, with all your souls, and with all your minds. The second is like it: Love your neighbour as you love yourselves." ( Matthew 22: 35-40 Jesus does point out that on these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets, God is Love, and God wants our love freely given and NO tags attached. What do we do? In Matthew 7: 7-10: we are told: " ask and you shall receive," we ask God for Love and Joy and then thank God and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour: all we know and all we meet, friends and not friends. We keep asking for Love and Joy and receiving Love and Joy, then thanking God and sharing all Love and Joy with all around us.
The Bible tells us: " Repent and be Born Again," change our selfish wishes and wants into Loving God and treating all around us as we would love to be treated. God will see and approve and bless us, the Holy Spirit will help and guide us, and Jesus our Saviour will lead us all the way: JESUS IS THE WAY.
We might stumble and forget at times, but then we ask God to forgive us,
and carry on Loving and Caring. Gradually we will change into the sons and daughters which God wants us to be, try it dear Sjdean, and your sins will
become less and less demanding. I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy,
your sister in Christ.