Why do we still sin?

[Leonhard]

You know it has been bothering me for a while... in the bible (sorry that i'm not bible hardened enough to qoute) it seems to say that we recieve a new heart after salvation, after this we aparrently see sinning in a whole new light and try to prevent ourselves from doing so.

However, why do we then still sin (to less degree and far more aware of it), when we know that it's wrong?

 

[kimber1]

because we are all born with the stain of the original sin of adam and eve. it's now in our nature to sin because of their disobedience and bringing sin into the world.

 

[LiberatedChick]

Because we're still human. As Christians we should try to prevent ourselves from sinning and repent when we do but this change in us doesn't change one fact...we're human and it's in our nature to make mistakes and slip into sin.

 

[Sketcher]

The Bible doesn't say that we're perfect all of a sudden. In God's eyes, we are because Christ's sacrifice is once for all time (Hebrews 9:24-28). However, a recurring theme in Paul's letters is that "you're saved, so stop doing this and that." He deals with a great number of sin issues in every church, but he's not writing to those who are not saved yet or were once saved then blew it. He's writing to those who were already saved, admonishing them to stop their old evil ways and start to love and obey as Christ did.

"Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere men?" - 1 Corinthians 3:1-3

I italicized a few key words for emphasis. He calls them "brothers," meaning they are in fact in God's family. And he says "infants in Christ," meaning that they are in fact in Christ. Yet they're still sinning - they are acting "worldly," and "like mere men." They've got some growing up to do - they've been born again, thus they are spiritually alive. But they're not strong yet, as they are still infants. Can an infant defend himself? Is an infant able to go and get food when he needs it, or do much of anything for himself? No, he needs to grow up more before he can do that. Eventually, he will be big enough, strong enough, and smart enough to act like an adult because he will be an adult.

Perfection to a Christian is the ultimate in maturity. Jesus is the ultimate "spiritual adult," the standard by which we are to now live. But we won't become entirely like Him overnight, any more than a woman gives birth to a fully grown man.

 

[BlessedVegan]

Just because you realize sin is wrong doesn't make it any harder to stop, really. No human is ever perfect and we all fail, Christian or not, a lot. Lucky for us Jesus forgives us for our imprefections.

 

[chilibowl]

Are you talking about 2 Co. 5:17 where it says: therefore if anyone is in christ he is a new creation.... right? If yes then the word NEW is a take off a greek work that could mean new once and gets older, or new like constantly being made new or in our terms "Renewed" So taking the word in light of context the Idea is: In christ we are continually renewed casting old things (sinful things) aside it goes on to tell us that because the lord through christ has done this for us then we in turn must do the same for others. (casting old things from others aside) "Forgiving them"

Other wise the text (the spirit of the text not the manuscript of the text) would be in error because we as christians are in christ and yet we still sin.. (your enigma i belive) And if the text is in error then we have nothing to found our faith on. the spirit of the text is complete and flawless, it is our understanding that shows contradictions in the scriptures not the word itself. so if you can make sense of something or something seems to go back on something else then look at your basic understanding of it. no matter how seemly simple the concept look at all of it in context again.

 

[vinc]

There are various reasons for which we still sin, even when we know it's wrong :-

(1) Excessive indulgence in certain sins during our pre-converted (pre-born-again) years. Such sins are difficult to overcome as they would have become like strong giants (like Goliaths) in us. It takes time (even years) for a Christian to slew these giants within and gain victory.

(2) God breaks us through repeated failures so that we may always be found with "a broken, humble and repentant spirit" in which God himself may reside. A simple example is - Peter said that he won't deny the Lord Jesus Christ but he denied Him 3 times and the 3rd time a [bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse][bless and do not curse] had to crow to inform him of his failures. It happened just as Lord Jesus Christ informed it would happen. And Peter went out, realised what he had done and wept bitterly. Committing sin can be so humiliating for a sincere Christian and could reduce s(he) to tears and make s(he) humble. So, God deals with us in the same way He dealt with Apostle Peter. After that God did not leave Peter, we see how mightily Peter was used by Him in the Chapter of Acts.

(3) The sin that we hate the least is the sin which still clings to us.

(4) Simply because flesh is flesh. That's all and nothing more than that.

Also, we learn that we are saved through grace and our own righteousness is like filthy rags before the Holiest of Holies.

Apostle Paul called himself as "least of all the saints" and in later years as he matured more into spiritual perfection called himself as "chief of all sinners".

In Romans 7:14-25, Apostle Paul says, "14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. 20 Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 21 I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. 22 For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: 23 But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. 24 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? 25 I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin."

I think this is what Apostle Paul was explaining to the Roman Christians regarding the sin present in us even when we don't like it and even when we know its wrong.

That is why we see so many Christians still sinning around us. And instead of judging them of their sins we ought to concentrate on our own sins in order to gain victory over them.

However, It is not necessary to remain in a sin-defeated state in order to be humble. Victory over sin does come to each Christian in God's own time for s(he).

This is my honest personal opinion.

 

[brotherjim]

You know it has been bothering me for a while... in the bible (sorry that i'm not bible hardened enough to qoute) it seems to say that we recieve a new heart after salvation, after this we aparrently see sinning in a whole new light and try to prevent ourselves from doing so.

However, why do we then still sin (to less degree and far more aware of it), when we know that it's wrong?

Greetings, Leonard.

Actually, the "new heart" comes from OT prophecies where God says one day the "Jews" will get a new spirit and a new heart (Ezekiel, and 2 or 3 mentionings), so it is inferred by us today that this prophecy was fulfilled by Christ and the New Covenant, and is applicable to all born-again Christians.

The error in theology comes into play, however, in that the church has assumed that since the "new spirit" is an instantaneous and complete event (New Birth), then the new heart must be likewise. But this is simply not true. The heart cannot be made entirely new all at once: this would be too drastic a change and human beings couldn't handle it. So such is only started at the time of the New Birth, in that it's made of a "softer" substance and some Truths of God are written upon its "tablets."

But if the Christian wants to stop sinning, they must seek additional, specific, miraculous cleansings from God, as many idols remain in the hearts of all born-again believers. And actually, according to many Scriptures, such subsequent heart sanctification is not an optional option but a requirement for eternal Life. Also, each of the Fruits of the Spirit are further available in all their fullness, and are instantly given in place of the idols removed.

Just ask the Heavenly Father, in Jesus' Name, and believe, and do not doubt, thanking Him always.

Good question, btw.

brotherjim


(I address this more completely on the thread "Nazarene Doctrines and Beliefs?" over on the Wesley Parish denominational sub-group--although I myself am not a Nazarene [not that there's anything wrong with that].)

 

[Ave Maria]

The reason is because we are not perfect. We are fallible human beings just like the ones who wrote the Bible!

 

[Rafael]

It takes a while to grow in spirit and see the fruit of that growth. We are in a battle withour flesh, as the Bible says that the flesh warreth against the spirit. See how this verse reads in the New Living Translation which I like very much:

Galatians 5:17 The old sinful nature loves to do evil, which is just opposite from what the Holy Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are opposite from what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, and your choices are never free from this conflict.

We never give up and lay down in our sins, but continue to grow towards the fruit of self control, which is fruit of the Holy Spirit that abides in us. We fight the good fight of faith, overcoming by the blood of the lamb and the word of our testimony - that we are fighting that fight, puttng our members in subjection to God by reckoning ourselves dead to self and alive to God.

Galatians 5:22 But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.

Re 12:11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.

1Ti 6:12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

Gal. 2:20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.