Too Easy to Sin

[Drunk On Love]

Why didn't god give us a drive to do good that is as powerful as say our sex drive or the drive to feel good? Make it hard to sin and easy to do the right thing? Make fatty foods taste horrible and spinach taste wonderful? Make extra marital sex feel horrible physically when one performs it... etc.. It seems that sinning is the natural flow of things that it takes effort and discipline to avert it. It seems as if God made it easy for us to sin. Why is this? I have my own understanding but I'm wondering what Christian here would say to this question. I assume it has something to do with the fall?

 

[Hakan101]

Well as we know in Genesis, we inherited Adam and Eve's sinful nature. So you are right, in a sense it is "natural" for us to sin. God did not create us with sin, he created Adam and Eve perfect with free will, and they willingly chose to sin. Jesus says we must deny ourselves and take up our cross to follow him, which is to turn away from our sinful nature. This of course is impossible to do without God's help. Hence I have seen many nonbelievers criticize God's law because it is impossible for them to do it on their own.

 

[drich0150]

Why didn't god give us a drive to do good that is as powerful as say our sex drive or the drive to feel good? Make it hard to sin and easy to do the right thing. Make fatty foods taste horrible and spinach taste wonderful? Make extra marital sex feel horrible physically when one performs it... etc.. It seems that sinning is the natural flow of things that it takes effort and discipline to avert. It seems like God made it easy for us to sin. Why is this? I have my own understanding but I'm wondering what Christian here would say to this question. I assume it has something to do with the fall?

Sin is anything not in the Expressed will of God. So essentially our will is sin. So why is it easy to sin? because being a individual, it is easier to be in your will than that of another.

 

[bling]

That is a very good question.

Sin is not the “problem”, even if unforgiven sin can be a huge problem.

Man’s objective while here on earth is not to “not ever sin”.

Sin actually has a purpose in the non-believers life (that purpose is not found in the believers life, so there is no reason to go on sinning after accepting God’s forgiveness).
One of the things we do learn from “the fall” (it is not ever called that in scripture) is even if there was only one way on earth to sin that could be avoided, we would sin eventually as humans. Adam and Eve were actually our best all human representatives and they sinned. Humans of their own carnal means cannot continue to obey God, eventually even if they could avoid any sin at any time (eternity is much too long). Adam and Eve lacked Godly type Love and without “this special type Love” you cannot continue to obey and what you do is worthless in comparison. We are not humans in heaven so we can avoid sinning.

 

[razeontherock]

Why didn't god give us a drive to do good that is as powerful as say our sex drive or the drive to feel good? Make it hard to sin and easy to do the right thing. Make fatty foods taste horrible and spinach taste wonderful? Make extra marital sex feel horrible physically when one performs it... etc.. It seems that sinning is the natural flow of things that it takes effort and discipline to avert. It seems like God made it easy for us to sin. Why is this? I have my own understanding but I'm wondering what Christian here would say to this question.

I believe G-d has revealed much to me on this very topic, via seeking Him on it of course. The way I put it, G-d "stacked the deck" against Himself. As you correctly state, all odds are against any of us obeying G-d, on anything. So anytime we do, it is to HIS Glory.

As a young man, He showed me that the greatest Blessing in this life, is to be able to see His hand in it.

And there is nothing about this that is exclusively Christian; it is just as available to any Muslim. (Or anyone else, I think) So I would be very curious to hear your opinion on this ...

 

[Faulty]

Why didn't god give us a drive to do good that is as powerful as say our sex drive or the drive to feel good? Make it hard to sin and easy to do the right thing. Make fatty foods taste horrible and spinach taste wonderful? Make extra marital sex feel horrible physically when one performs it... etc.. It seems that sinning is the natural flow of things that it takes effort and discipline to avert. It seems like God made it easy for us to sin. Why is this? I have my own understanding but I'm wondering what Christian here would say to this question. I assume it has something to do with the fall?

The Father does give us the ability not to sin. The drive to sin is normal for those not yet born again, because thet do not have His Spirit, but rather live by the flesh. Paul describes it here:

"There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God."
Romans 8:1-8
​

Those who are 'in Jesus' are those who are born again, and being 'born again' is not a figure of speech, nor is it an act that comes by following the law, for by the law, no flesh is justified, but rather it's by the law we know our sin. (For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. Rom 3:20). It is a real passing from death to life, through which we are regenerated, forgiven, and given the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

You want the drive to do good? Turn from your sin and be forgiven, trusting in the work Jesus alone did for us, who became sin who knew no sin, and took our punishment in our place, and was raised from the dead, and you will have His Spirit and the ability and desire to please God by doing good.

 

[Drunk On Love]

Hence I have seen many nonbelievers criticize God's law because it is impossible for them to do it on their own.

Interesting observation. I can see how that might happen.

 

[JRSut1000]

1) I love spinach! 2) impure sex DOES have consequences as does most sin, just not immediately. 3) fatty foods also have consequences like clogged arteries and such.

Other than that, I could explain a lot more but Im too tired and it seems there's enough other results so far anyways.

 

[Drunk On Love]

The Father does give us the ability not to sin. The drive to sin is normal for those not yet born again

So if one is born again they no longer feel attracted to actions that are sinful? They don't get angry when someone is annoying them for example? Their sex drive no longer attracts them to inappropriate people like married women? Or do they still have those temptations but now have the power to fight them more effectively?

 

[Drunk On Love]

I believe G-d has revealed much to me on this very topic, via seeking Him on it of course. The way I put it, G-d "stacked the deck" against Himself. As you correctly state, all odds are against any of us obeying G-d, on anything. So anytime we do, it is to HIS Glory.

My views would be somewhat along these lines too. God made creation to make manifest the hidden attributes and names of God. Contrast is necessary to make them apparent. Even mans sinful actions allow for the manifestation of Gods names of majesty and wrath like "the Abaser", "the subduer" , etc. We know things by their opposites. It's always more pleasant to make manifest his names of mercy though

 

[Drunk On Love]

1) I love spinach! 2) impure sex DOES have consequences as does most sin, just not immediately. 3) fatty foods also have consequences like clogged arteries and such.

I think you are correct that there are negative effects. I'm asking why the draw to things like that in the first place. Why do we even feel temporary fleeting pleasure in doing sinful things? Couldn't God have made it (replace "it" with the sinful or inappropriate things you find yourself most attracted too like , gossiping, drugs, inappropriate sex, etc...) so it felt like pulling teeth instead. Why does God allow harmful things to feel good?

 

[razeontherock]

There is a poster, Harry followed by some numbers, 8142? Almost every post of his addresses your question here. You might find it insightful

 

[oi_antz]

I think you are correct that there are negative effects. I'm asking why the draw to things like that in the first place. Why do we even feel temporary fleeting pleasure in doing sinful things? Couldn't God have made it (replace "it" with the sinful or inappropriate things you find yourself most attracted too like , gossiping, drugs, inappropriate sex, etc...) so it felt like pulling teeth instead. Why does God allow harmful things to feel good?

Hello Drunk On Love! I understand what you are going through, because we have all come to discover pleasures in things that have negative consequences. I can't pretend to be sinless, I like fatty food But I can tell you that things like gossiping, drugs, sex are just bad habits.

I have never been interested in gossip, I have overcome addictions to mj, alcohol and cigarettes. Coffee could go too but I do place high value on the ping first thing in the morning Oh and I overcame sex by simply handing the matter to Jesus. I'm single and I haven't jacked in over six months!

So what I would say is that it's a matter of perspective and values. If you value God's commandments highly enough and you call upon the Holy Spirit to empower you then you can break all bondages in the name of Jesus, but you must be willing. That's the thing, if you want to quit smoking you are going to need to stop buying smokes. If alcohol is your problem then stop drinking. Masturbating, just don't do it. Like all addictions, the more attention you give them the more you empower them, but denying their power is the most effective way to break bondage.

Also note that there is no end to repentance, sometimes I say things that are wrong or I think in a negative way, and God does correct me, so we can't expect to be perfect and I think that is what other people have been saying. But we can try, and as long as we have free will then we really can't blame God for the decisions we make.

Here's a nice verse to wash it down, make sure you read it carefully and understand it, it is the kingpin of Christian salvation:

11 Under the old covenant, the priest stands and ministers before the altar day after day, offering the same sacrifices again and again, which can never take away sins. 12 But our High Priest offered himself to God as a single sacrifice for sins, good for all time. Then he sat down in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 13 There he waits until his enemies are humbled and made a footstool under his feet. 14 For by that one offering he forever made perfect those who are being made holy.

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies that this is so. For he says,

16 “This is the new covenant I will make
with my people on that day,[c] says the Lord:
I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.”

Notice here that God's people have His law written in their heart and on their mind. This effectively makes sin a burden that every time we sin our conscience convicts us. Eventually the Lord brings us to a point of calamity where we are forced to repent of our sin.

 

[oi_antz]

Couldn't God have made it (replace "it" with the sinful or inappropriate things you find yourself most attracted too like , gossiping, drugs, inappropriate sex, etc...) so it felt like pulling teeth instead.

Ooh, I hope you picked this up in the verse I just posted:

I will put my laws in their hearts,
and I will write them on their minds.

That is precisely what He does when you give your life to Jesus, He begins by knocking your worst sin on the head, then progressively deals to the rest. IE "being made holy", and because He has made the final atonement at the alter of the eternal temple in heaven, He is able to present us "perfect" before God ever since the moment you entered your contract with Him.

 

[bling]

I think you are correct that there are negative effects. I'm asking why the draw to things like that in the first place. Why do we even feel temporary fleeting pleasure in doing sinful things? Couldn't God have made it (replace "it" with the sinful or inappropriate things you find yourself most attracted too like , gossiping, drugs, inappropriate sex, etc...) so it felt like pulling teeth instead. Why does God allow harmful things to feel good?

You might go back and read my post 4.
God is not trying to set it up so we with our own powers can keep from sinning. If we could we would not have a need to turn to God for His help (Charity/Love/Grace/mercy/forgiveness). This all fits man's earthly objective.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Drunk On Love. In Matthew, chapter 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all thy heart, with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." Then Jesus states this fact: " On these two Commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets." God is Love, and God states clearly that Love, freely given and without any demands is wanted. Love is not only a feel-good factor, Love is also a doing-word, and Love changes people and happenings. Since Jesus paid the prize to God`s Holy Law, which we could not, ( we had all moved too far away from God) Jesus our Saviour is ready to help and guide us. Jesus will give us His Love and Joy, and the Holy Spirit will give us His Love, also. Jesus told us to " ask and we will receive," then we thank God, and share all Love and Joy with our neighbour. God wants loving and caring children/sons and daughters, and all we say, or do, or advocate, should be done from Love. We might stumble and fall often, but we will ask God for forgivenes, and God will forgive us, as we will forgive others. ( others being all we know, and all we meet, whether friends or not friends) God wants us to Repent, to change our selfish and unloving characters TO: loving God with all our beings, and loving our neighbour as ourselves. Jesus is The Way, and Jesus will lead us back to our original home with God. ( God`s House with many Mansions.) I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[Emmy]

Dear Drunk On Love. When Adam and Eve could not resist the lying temptations of the Serpent, God knew that it was time for them, ( and all Mankind after them) to be banished to Earth, there to learn to say NO to temptation. But instead, they moved farther and farther away from God. In time Jesus came, and paid the prize to God`s Holy Law, which none of us could pay, we were all steeped in sin and transgression. Jesus died that we might live, and Jesus reconciled us to God. Now we have to " Repent," to change from being selfish, to becoming loving and caring.
God is Love, and God wants loving children/sons and daughters, NOT robots to do as we are told. We have free will to either, love God our Heavenly Father with all our hearts, all our souls, and all our minds, or go our own way and end up in Outer Darkness, without Love or Light.
In Matthew 22, verses 35-40, Jesus tells a Lawyer: " The first and great Commandment is: Love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. The second is like it: Love thy neighbour as thyself." God wants our love freely given and no conditions tagged on. All we say, or do, or advocate, must be done from Love: Agape, NOT Eros.( The Greeks have the right word for it.) If you remember that, Drunk Of Love, you will be on the right way. God has His reasons for making some ( what you call sin) easy, God told Adam and Eve, and all who followed, " Go and multiply the Earth." I say this with love. Greetings from Emmy, sister in Christ.

 

[razeontherock]

Why does God allow harmful things to feel good?

Many great old hymns of our Faith talk about "the tempter's power." Here, you are observing it! It is real. The story of Adam and Eve does a great job of showing how this pertains to the fall, IMHO. In the beginning as God created it, the only harmful thing did NOT feel good, and it was well-known to avoid it. Enter satan and he suggested that it would be good, which it was not, is not, and never will be. His nature changed with his fall, and ours did too ...

now look at the mess we're in!