Where's the line between struggling with sin and being scrupulous?

[Tate]

I try not to sin (though I could always try harder). And it's sort of stressing me out. I watch every little thing I do to make sure I don't sin; I try not to go over the speed limit at all, make sure to wash my hands at least ten seconds at work (I work with food and it's a rule), and make sure I obey my parents to the T.

This is making my days unenjoyable. I'm pretty sure I'm saved, but should I be feeling this way? Shouldn't it be a pleasure to serve our Lord? If I am saved then no amount of sinning will take away my salvation. However, I still don't like to sin.

And at work, we are supposed to stop what we're doing after every transaction just to wash our hands. Well, when we have a line of people, that slows everything down! Even my boss doesn't do that!

It's just little things like that, that are stressing me out. I could really use some insight here. Thank you

 

[Goodbook]

Sounds like you suffering from OCD. Thats the medical name for it.

I think in spiritual terms you have fear of God but maybe not know His perfect love which casts out fear.
A christian who has this love isnt afraid of God punishing him or her everytime they slip up. It is great that you hate sin though.

Instead a christian knows God is full of mercy and grace and forgiving when we repent. I would advise if you have a bible to keep reading about how God is merciful and gracious to us. get to know Him better. Jesus exemplifies who God is, eg. When the pharisees saw that he didnt wash his hands before eating they were really hard on him. But Jesus sAys its what comes out of our mouths that defile us, not what goes in.

 

[Purge187]

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - John 1:19

"But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time." - Romans 7:17-20



Sounds like you're snared in Legalism. I've been there myself and it has a way of sapping the joy and peace out of a believer's life in a hurry. If you have a "hyperconscience" concerning sin, ask God for a shift to be made in your spirit.

 

[Tate]

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - John 1:19

"But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time." - Romans 7:17-20



Sounds like you're snared in Legalism. I've been there myself and it has a way of sapping the joy and peace out of a believer's life in a hurry. If you have a "hyperconscience" concerning sin, ask God for a shift to be made in your spirit.

How did you break out of Legalism? I don't want to not care about what I would call "little sins", like the hand washing thing (which impedes on the "following authorities" statement in the Bible), but every time I make the decision not to walk over there and wash my hands, I feel I've sinned against God. I don't want to be complacent over sins!

 

[paul1149]

How did you break out of Legalism?

The answer is in the Word.

who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life. -2Cor 3:6​

Read the entire chapter very carefully. Then turn to Romans 7:

Or do you not know, brothers—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law is binding on a person only as long as he lives?
For a married woman is bound by law to her husband while he lives, but if her husband dies she is released from the law of marriage.
Accordingly, she will be called an adulteress if she lives with another man while her husband is alive. But if her husband dies, she is free from that law, and if she marries another man she is not an adulteress.
Likewise, my brothers, you also have died to the law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who has been raised from the dead, in order that we may bear fruit for God.
For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.
But now we are released from the law, having died to that which held us captive, so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit and not in the old way of the written code. -Rom 7:1-6​

We in Christ are not adulterers, we have died to our first husband, the law. We are no longer obligated to it. We are under grace. Favor has been given to us that we did not, and could not, merit. It is unnecessary now to try to earn what has been given, and indeed, it is an offense to the spirit of grace to do so.

Now take a look at Jesus' characterization of our task here until He returns.

He said therefore, “A nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and then return.
Calling ten of his servants, he gave them ten minas, and said to them, ‘Engage in business until I come.’ -Luke 19:12-13​

The word for "engage" there is Pragmateuomai, from which we get pragmatism. A lot of times we consider pragmatism to be compromise, but clearly Jesus did not. He is saying here that the world is going to be rough. There is going to be opposition. Keep your eyes on the prize and don't get hung up on stuff that is inconsequential. Or as Paul would say in Ephesians, walk in wisdom.

Yes, there are first principles that must not be violated. Doing so would not be pragmatism, it would be compromise. But on the small stuff more harm than good is done worrying about it. We are not under the letter. The letter kills, but the spirit gives life. The covenant of legalism ended in utter disaster; the covenant of grace continues forever. If you sow to the spirit, you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh, and you will reap life. But if you engage in a joyless struggle in your own strength against what you consider to be sin, you are in for not only a rough ride, but you also will not have a lot of fruit to show for it when the dust settles. It is imperative that each of us presses in to the fulness of our freedom in Christ. A lot is riding on it.

For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace. -Rom 6:14
For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. -Gal 5:1​

 

[chihwahli]

Well, the amount of Love that Jesus has for you cannot be contained in any container ever. It would always be to small. Our response to our Lord has to be right. He asks us to love Him. How do we do that? Let Him show you the areas that need change. If you know you are at work and sinning, it's perhaps time to pray and ask Him how to pray. Perhaps Jesus wants you to be the light and salt there, so you have to endure until the people in the company change. Jesus will give you the authority needed to have a breakthrough if that is His will. Or our Lord wants you to go and find another place to work.

After some time, you will notice no line, because you just love our Lord.
Sinning is something, with help of our Lord, that will become less and less.
If there is no improvement, you have to ask questions, why is it so? Why does the situation not improve?
Don't keep doing things as you have always done. That will never give change.....

Actively pray and ask God guidance. Every Christian is a priest, every Christian can hear God's voice. And yes hearing God's voice is in the bible, mentioned a lot of times! The apostles were guided by the Holy Spirit. They got strength, wisdom, power to serve God's kingdom. Anyone who does not rely on Holy Spirit is relying on the flesh, which is very very weak.....

 

[CoconutPrincess]

I try not to sin (though I could always try harder). And it's sort of stressing me out. I watch every little thing I do to make sure I don't sin; I try not to go over the speed limit at all, make sure to wash my hands at least ten seconds at work (I work with food and it's a rule), and make sure I obey my parents to the T.

This is making my days unenjoyable. I'm pretty sure I'm saved, but should I be feeling this way? Shouldn't it be a pleasure to serve our Lord? If I am saved then no amount of sinning will take away my salvation. However, I still don't like to sin.

And at work, we are supposed to stop what we're doing after every transaction just to wash our hands. Well, when we have a line of people, that slows everything down! Even my boss doesn't do that!

It's just little things like that, that are stressing me out. I could really use some insight here. Thank you

Tate, I have been where you are. I would examine myself to the point that even the slightest sin would send me into deep sadness. I wanted to live each day perfectly, not mess up at all, and then that became such a burden to me. I began to feel discouraged and I would tell God, "I can't live for You! It's too hard. This Christian life is too hard!!!". I was so frustrated and down on myself. I began to realize that living this life of obedience is not in my power. I would get up every day and in my own strength tell myself, "Today I'm not going to mess up. I'm going to obey God perfectly" and of course, that wouldn't happen and then I'd blame myself and question if I was even saved to begin with. I realized that in order for me to live for Him, I would have to allow the Holy Spirit to guide me. Allow Jesus to live through me. It's HIS fruit, not my fruit. It comes when you totally surrender and say, "I, in my own strength, cannot live for You, but You can live through me and enable me to obey You." It's Christ's life in us; it is Him who gives the power and strength to live for Him.

There are scriptures in the Bible that talk about God's attitude towards us, even if we sin. He forgives and he does not reject a heart broken over sin. He knows in your heart you do not get up each day with purpose to sin. He knows you are striving to live for Him. Rely on the Holy Spirit for the strength and power to obey Him because you cannot do it yourself. Don't examine yourself to the point that even the slightest sin stresses you out and if you notice a "little" sin, just confess it and move on, relying on His strength to not repeat it. This is the Christian life. It's a walk and when we fall, we get up again. Christians will sometimes choose sin, we shouldn't, but we sometimes do, but remember, if we are truly broken over that sin and confess it to God, He will never cast you out and He will always forgive you. Your heart's desire is to always please Him, He knows this and He knows you still have the flesh that fights against your spirit. He has given us an advocate with Himself, Jesus, who defends us before God when Satan accuses us. Take heart, and don't be discouraged. Do your best, relying on Christ and if you mess up, confess and accept His forgiveness and move on.

As far as your boss saying to do one thing and then doing another, why not talk to him about it? Tell him that you find it difficult to wash when it's very busy and have noticed that doesn't always happen with others (including him). Ask him what exactly he would have you do in those situations as it's impossible for you to wash and yet serve a line up of customers.

If you go over the speed limit, then just confess it and move on. When we drive we will sometimes go over as the road turns, ups and downs, etc. so give yourself some wiggle room and don't let something minor like this burden you. Some people say a sin is a sin is a sin, meaning, it's all the same. Well, I disagree because God gave different punishments for different kinds of sin. Clearly, God would consider adultery a far worse sin then going over the speed limit. Sometimes sins just happen, without any forethought. We make these mistakes daily. Just confess, accept His forgiveness, and move on!

Sometimes children disobey their parents. I'm happy that you obey them, but if you messed up, then you know what to do: confess, accept forgiveness and move on! If children were to be perfect, then why did God instruct us on how to discipline them? There would be no need to if they obeyed 100% of the time.

Don't be so hard on yourself. Even God is not this hard on you!

I hope this helps!

 

[Foreverinchrist]

We are not called to give into sin and play with the grace of God. Much of His grace has been given to us no enable us to live a life free from sin. Sure if we do sin after having done our part He is there to forgive us if we repent and confess our sin.
But God wants you and all of His children to be victorious over sin just like He was.
You see to have the fear of God in your heart. Please continue to have that reverence for the Lord and never play with His word and commandments.
The thing with you so to find peace and joy into doing what the Word says to do. You've got to pray fro the Holy Spirit to reveal the love of God for you. Also His grace and mercy, His favor!
When you get that you will work even harder not to fall in sin and it will be a joy to do God's will.
That's the secret: Whatever you do it with joy. The joy of the Lord is our strength.

God bless you!
FIC

 

[com7fy8]

I try not to go over the speed limit at all,

This can be good. But, Tate . . . it is more important to be paying attention to what is going on around you while you drive. Being overly attentive to your speedometer could distract you from seeing a person or dog or car or pothole that you need to avoid. But there certainly are places where it is important to slow down, especially in narrow areas going between and by parked cars where a child could run out between cars or someone could open a car door. There it "might" be good to go slower than the limit. So, be caring about others, not only exact about the limit.

make sure to wash my hands at least ten seconds at work (I work with food and it's a rule),

Well, if it can make a difference to other people's health . . . I would say do it. If it is a problem for customers, offer an explanation. If you know your boss doesn't do it, then who told you to do it? Why would your boss say to do it and then not do it . . . if he or she really cares about that? But if it matters to your boss, you are being paid to do what the boss wants, right? So, if it is right to do it, though, I would think God will give you peace; do it because you love God and people, not only in order to avoid guilt and confusion. In case He does want you to wash your hands, it does not need to be a big deal for you, just pray so you are doing things in His peace.

and make sure I obey my parents to the T.

You might talk with your parents about this. You might point out how you are willing to obey them; and see if there are things they might loosen up about. What really is important? There are things which we need to be obedient about.

 

[Belledandy]

Just remember that God forgives. If I do something wrong I just remember that and repent and try not to do it again. But if I do I'll repent and be forgiven. God will always forgive. Don't stress about trying to be perfect because nobody is. Not even Ned Flanders. God sees how much you try so if you did slip up he will forgive.

 

[dg71653]

Dear Brother,
You stated:
"This is making my days unenjoyable."
It should rob your joy, that is correct.
But is your joy in your obedience, or in Him?
It should be a joy to approach Him and confess your 'transgressions'
daily - just as daily you must rely on Him for bread.
JESUS said, 'say these words [Matthew 6:9-13].'
Rejoice. Sin no more.
In Him,
DG

 

[dqhall]

It is good to look for paths of righteousness. If I am watching my weight and am studying good nutrition I can stay within the normal weight range. One third of the nation is obese and it drives up health care costs for health insured people. To be honest includes not talking too much about what I am going to do, as that is likely to change. I ought not get angry nor think of violent solutions. This helps with the commandment against murder. Not allowing lustful thoughts prevents creation of unwanted, unsupported, or abandoned children. Being thrifty and diligent may create wealth. I should be praying for things to do when I find myself rested and idle. There are sins of commission and sins of omission. Often times I have to worry that something has been overlooked or forgotten, it was what one did not do that caused sin same as doing wrongful actions.

 

[beccab]

Your Heavenly Father loves you so much that He sent His Son to suffer and die so that you may live! When Satan begins to attack you with accusations and fear, immediately cast him out, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Phillipians 4:8 (please read) tells us to think on and meditate on things that are true, things that are lovely, things that are praiseworthy. The way to overcome thoughts of fear and worry is to think instead on the Word of God. His word is living and it will transform you.
Start with a couple verses that you really like, Romans 8:1-2, Romans 8:28, Romans 8:38-39 are my suggestions. Memorize one at a time and meditate on it throughout the day, especially at times when these thoughts of condemnation usually pop up. Train your mind to think on scripture instead of Satan's lies.
The Bible is our best tool in life and our walk with God. Read the book of Romans or one of the gospels to start, a chapter a day. Pray before you begin reading that God will give you understanding and that His word would transform your mind as you read.
If you make a habit if reading and meditating on Gods word, I promise you that you will overcome this by the power of the Holy Spirit.

 

[marawuti]

There have been some great comments that I hope you examine as a spectrum of approaches to understanding and living life in the freedom of the saved. But that said, I'll take a slightly different tack.

Take a look at I Cor 6:12 and context and contemplate the depth of the freedom Jesus has given with respect to the activities of life. Now for an application from your stated particulars.

You feel sinful when you don't follow the corporate mandate to wash your hands after each transaction. Your supervisor has a different outward take on the meaning of this rule. Discus it with him or her to gain an understanding of the proper understanding and his or her direction for your behavior. Of course you need to be careful to be seeking guidance and not appear to be criticizing your supervisor's approach. You can think of it as soliciting permission to behave as he does for the benefit of the business. You supervisor may well take offense even if you are not critical. You might prick her conscience. This is a relational approach to discerning the true boundary of (mis)behavior in this circumstance.

I'll attempt to anticipate criticism of this particular action. Some will undoubted respond that you are seeking permission to violate corporate mandates. There may be more subtlety and comprehension in your supervisor's behavior that may help you. For example she may be avoiding using the cash register between making sandwiches thus refining the meaning of transaction in the light of the health code.

 

[Dmitri Martila]

I try not to sin (though I could always try harder).

If you die being in wrong faith, it is also sin. It is more serious sin, than forgetting to clean the hands. I recommend to become Eastern Orthodox Christian. Here is the video:

 

[camphigrades]

"It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." -Gal. 5:1

If we're in Christ, we're free of sin--he took ALL our sins: past, present, AND future. Stop being sin-conscious and become Jesus-conscious. Look at HIM, not your works. Easier said than done, but if you can grasp the message of grace, it will change your life (it did mine!).

Go straight to Amazon and buy The Gospel In Ten Words by Paul Ellis. You will love it; it will set you free by outlining your freedom in Christ. Do yourself a favor and before taking what anyone has said (or will say) in this thread to heart, read this book. It explains everything, in easy to understand terms.

Also, I've been told that the best remedy for being sin-conscious is to read Romans chapters 5 through 8 over and over and over again (esp. chapter 6), until you get a revelation of who you are in Christ. Over and over, as many times as it takes. But read every word letting the Holy Spirit teach you---Don't read it in light of any teaching you've ever heard, and don't read it in light of any denomination's doctrine or teaching. Pray beforehand and ask the Holy Spirit to open your eyes to HIS truth, not man's teachings. And then read it over & over, again & again, until you get it. Especially chapter 6. The book of Galatians is also good for explaining that we're under GRACE, and no longer under law. We are FREE from sin in Christ. It is for freedom that He set us free!

 

[sparow]

I try not to sin (though I could always try harder). And it's sort of stressing me out. I watch every little thing I do to make sure I don't sin; I try not to go over the speed limit at all, make sure to wash my hands at least ten seconds at work (I work with food and it's a rule), and make sure I obey my parents to the T.

This is making my days unenjoyable. I'm pretty sure I'm saved, but should I be feeling this way? Shouldn't it be a pleasure to serve our Lord? If I am saved then no amount of sinning will take away my salvation. However, I still don't like to sin.

And at work, we are supposed to stop what we're doing after every transaction just to wash our hands. Well, when we have a line of people, that slows everything down! Even my boss doesn't do that!

It's just little things like that, that are stressing me out. I could really use some insight here. Thank you

The Law is very important; a lot of people overcome the Law by abrogating it. The first thing to remember is the Law is for your benefit, not your detriment. You can sin by harming your relationship with God, by harming your neighbour or you can do self harm but if you think in terms of breaking the Law you should understand the Law cannot be harmed. The Law can be expressed positively for example "do not profane the seventh day" can be expressed as "keep the seventh day Holy".

 

[Speckle]

Hi Tate, I can really identify with what you share here as I have been through stages like this. Are there times when you feel completely relaxed and know that God loves you through and through and is big enough to cover the mistakes you accidentally make? As a Christian, of course you should be concerned to living right, but not to the extent it interferes with your joy and peace. I used to find the times when I was constantly double checking whether I had come up to the mark, I was generally feeling as though something was not quite right and almost looking and checking for what was wrong. When I got through this phase, with hindsight I realised that I had been experiencing a bought of low grade depression and anxiety which caused some intrusive guilty thoughts. When it passed I felt completely different.

 

[Deborah23]

I wish there were more posts highlighting grace over law but the posts about grace were excellent, especially Camphigrades. In a lot of ways I just wasn't born detail oriented. Maybe that just makes me sloppy but I'm not a slave to the law. I often tend to pray "forgive me all my sins" and not itemize, because I'm would be afraid that I sinned and was not aware of it, kind of like bad manners.

Those under the law, die under the law. Where those under grace have eternal life. This is the meaning of the new covenant Jesus talked of. He paid the price for sin past, present and future. Because of Him we have the victory over sin, death and the devil. God asks no more then faith. I remember Jesus on the cross saying to a criminal who said he believed that Jesus was the Son of God. Jesus only said "I'll see you this day in paradise". He didn't require baptism, or sinlessness.

There was a time in my own abstract way, that I felt like God did not love me because I just didn't measure up, but I was going through a divorce. Big sins, big time not measuring up. But I had a vision of Jesus in the sun, and in the rays of the sun, radiating love, and even radiating that love on me. I cried and cried. At first it was hard to feel that love. I would remember that symbol of radiating love in the vision (or what ever it was, generalist like me just have their heads in the clouds that way) I'd remember that vision whenever I felt like a bad mother for breaking up our family, and slowly, I developed this graditude that replaced the guilt. I was actually at the time praying for forgiveness for the same thing, but in different words over and over again. Not believing God can forgive me was a sin in itself. I was just at a point where I had to forgive myself and rest in trusting God. I had to believe that God doesn't abstractly, forgive sins, He forgives my sins and remembers them no more.

 

[PastorNick08]

"If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." - John 1:19

"But I need something more! For if I know the law but still can’t keep it, and if the power of sin within me keeps sabotaging my best intentions, I obviously need help! I realize that I don’t have what it takes. I can will it, but I can’t do it. I decide to do good, but I don’t really do it; I decide not to do bad, but then I do it anyway. My decisions, such as they are, don’t result in actions. Something has gone wrong deep within me and gets the better of me every time." - Romans 7:17-20



Sounds like you're snared in Legalism. I've been there myself and it has a way of sapping the joy and peace out of a believer's life in a hurry. If you have a "hyperconscience" concerning sin, ask God for a shift to be made in your spirit.

I would agree. It sounds like you are caught up in legalism. In addition to praying for a shift to be made in your spirit,
I would recommend a daily time with God. Read Scripture and pray. Our Daily Bread is a great way to get started in a devotion time. They even have an app. http://obd.org