Why do we still sin?

(Scripture references from NASB)

Romans 6

11 Even so consider yourselves to be dead to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus.


21 Therefore what benefit were you then deriving from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the outcome of those things is death.

22 But now having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification, and the outcome, eternal life.

23 For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 7

14 For we know that the Law is spiritual, but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin.

15For what I am doing, I do not understand; for I am not practicing what I would like to do, but I am doing the very thing I hate.

16 But if I do the very thing I do not want to do, I agree with the Law, confessing that the Law is good.

17 So now, no longer am I the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.

18 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh; for the willing is present in me, but the doing of the good is not.

19 For the good that I want, I do not do, but I practice the very evil that I do not want.20 But if I am doing the very thing I do not want, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me.


We all (or at least most of us) recognize that even as Christians, we still sin.

A few years back, I was in a Sunday school class being taught by the pastor of that church. The subject that came up near the end of the session was “If old (sinful) nature is dead, why do we still sin, after we have been saved?” I gave the answer that we are declared clean based on Christ’s sacrificed, but our natural urges remain for us to conquer by His power. This answer was based on my understanding (or misunderstanding) of the stages of sanctification, namely:

  1. Positional Sanctification, meaning that one has acknowledged his natural state as being sinful and accepted Christ’s sacrifice as payment for that sin. We are declared clean based on that payment by the ultimate Judge.

  2. Progressive Sanctification, meaning growing in Christ, becoming more like Him and having greater victory over sin. By trusting and following the HS, the sin nature is made progressively less of a factor in our lives.

  3. Permanent Sanctification, meaning being raised after death perfected as the complete person God intended.
The Pastor did not seem to like this answer, but before he could clear up his teaching, he had to go and tend to other matters. His point, which he never had a chance to make, may have been that Romans 6:11 is an admonishment, not a statement of actual fact.

I have been meditating on this ever since. I should have asked him, but often I like to understand my own feelings before I seek comment/enlightenment. Many times, I am better able to internalize truths I had not considered after I come to a point where I understand the issues surrounding my own question.

My meditations on this have resulted in a couple of realizations. The most important one (at least to me) is that death, whether that of a believer or that of an atheist is not the end of life. Unless we are all delusional, we will all stand before the Lord; either to receive the Joy of fulfillment, or the anguish of banishment.

So now I am throwing it open to this forum.

Why do we still sin?
 
James 1:14-15 (KJV)
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.​

Jesus lived 100% as a man Who was obedient to the Holy Spirit. He paved the way to cease from sin, 2 Pet 2:14, but many keep wanting to repent over and over and over again, Heb 6:1-2.

People don't believe the word of God or they spiritualize it away to oblivion, Heb 5:12. Either we believe the word of God, all of it, or we don't. And those that don't, can't follow in Jesus' steps via the Holy Spirit the way He did. Hence His words to work out your own salvation, Phil 2:12. This isn't the salvation of your soul, but of your life on earth. In God's eyes we are exactly like Jesus, 1 John 4:17. Time to live like it Abdicate! :D I gots ta be told too, Rom 2:21.
 
Do you mean christians or unbelievers?
well in my case..I don't want to sin. But when I do at times, I need to be honest with God about it and confess and repent. It may be because I haven't applied the blood of Jesus to that area of my life. My flesh isn't crucified, I am still in my flesh body..I still hunger and thirst etc. I need to draw closer to Him so that I don't sin. I need to renew my mind every day and if heard a lie, to rebuke it, and remind myself of the truth. I need to believe Jesus set me free from sin so that I don't have to go back there.
Satan always wants to trick christians into sinning so that he can claim them for hell.

for the record I think your explanation of sanctification mirrors my experience. It is a walk, not one minute you a sinner next minute you a glorified saint. We do need to cast out lots of stuff (demons) and prepare. And also.. we need to learn to honor God. Its not easy to do if you always used to do the opposite, and ppl can fall into bad sinful habits. Thank God he sent his only son to save us!
 
Thinking on this again..it is cos we tempted by satan and listen to his lies. That is why we need to arm ourselves with the Word of God. Reading the Bible is always good and we can use the word like a sword against the wiles of the devil. Its not easy living in a fallen world and tempted on all sides but if we keep following Jesus we do not walk in the way of sinners.
 
We cannot say we have no sin or never sinned as all of us have at some point in our lives, only Jesus could live a perfect life on earth and not sin even once. We want to be more like Jesus and that is why Jesus had to die for everyone cos no other man on earth was completely sinless like him.
 
So,,,
I still do not know why the Pastor, who I respect greatly for his great love and his knowledge, why did he seem disappointed with my answer that we have been declared clean, based upon the Sacrifice of Christ, but we have not been made perfect (yet)?

Last I heard, he is still preaching at that church. Maybe I should look him up and e-mail, but I truly doubt he would place my name (10 yrs ago at a large church).
 
So,,,
I still do not know why the Pastor, who I respect greatly for his great love and his knowledge, why did he seem disappointed with my answer that we have been declared clean, based upon the Sacrifice of Christ, but we have not been made perfect (yet)?

Last I heard, he is still preaching at that church. Maybe I should look him up and e-mail, but I truly doubt he would place my name (10 yrs ago at a large church).

The Apostle Paul says it ALL in one verse.
Rom.7
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
 
So,,,
I still do not know why the Pastor, who I respect greatly for his great love and his knowledge, why did he seem disappointed with my answer that we have been declared clean, based upon the Sacrifice of Christ, but we have not been made perfect (yet)?

Last I heard, he is still preaching at that church. Maybe I should look him up and e-mail, but I truly doubt he would place my name (10 yrs ago at a large church).
Being made the "righteousness" of God in Christ happens in an instant, but actually believing and experiencing this in our life is a process that starts when we became a new creation in Christ. "For he that has began a good work in us will bring it to completion". Beholding in the mirror of the Word of God the Glory that has now become our new life changes us into that same image as we grow in our understanding of who we really are. There will be bumps in the road as this process is running in our life, and this is why the scripture says. "If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
 
The Apostle Paul says it ALL in one verse.
Rom.7
[19] For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
Being made the "righteousness" of God in Christ happens in an instant, but actually believing and experiencing this in our life is a process that starts when we became a new creation in Christ. "For he that has began a good work in us will bring it to completion". Beholding in the mirror of the Word of God the Glory that has now become our new life changes us into that same image as we grow in our understanding of who we really are. There will be bumps in the road as this process is running in our life, and this is why the scripture says. "If we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

In reply to Siloam,
Perhaps this Pastor is not saved. many are not you know.

Hear the words of The Lord from Matthew Chpt: 7
[15] Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
[16] Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
[17] Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
[18] A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
[19] Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
[20] Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
[21] Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
[22] Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
[23] And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

Siloam, know thy Bible. The BEST way to reply to Pastors or others is to know the word of God. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The easiest Bible to memorize scriptue from is the King James Bible, because much is prose and written like poetry. And,..Poetry is easy to remember and to bring into remembrance.
John.5
  1. [39] Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
 
Galatians chapter 5:
1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.
13 For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary
the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.

Even the truly Spirit-filled are still merely human, and still on planet Earth. The blood of Jesus covers us when we
stumble or trip up. But as to wilful disobedience this is when a person walks away from their submission to Jesus and
the gospel and then also allow their self-will to rule.
The battle between the flesh, the carnal mind, self-will and submission to the Spirit never ceases during our lifetime.
 
James 1:14-15 (KJV)
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.​

Jesus lived 100% as a man Who was obedient to the Holy Spirit. He paved the way to cease from sin, 2 Pet 2:14, but many keep wanting to repent over and over and over again, Heb 6:1-2.

People don't believe the word of God or they spiritualize it away to oblivion, Heb 5:12. Either we believe the word of God, all of it, or we don't. And those that don't, can't follow in Jesus' steps via the Holy Spirit the way He did. Hence His words to work out your own salvation, Phil 2:12. This isn't the salvation of your soul, but of your life on earth. In God's eyes we are exactly like Jesus, 1 John 4:17. Time to live like it Abdicate! :D I gots ta be told too, Rom 2:21.


Too many of the body of Christ stuck with the mind set of ....I am JUST AN OLD SINNER saved by grace...........This can NOT be. Either you are a sinner or you are saved by Grace.
2Corinthians 5:17 KJV
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

They simply refuse to put forth the time to draw near unto God and be made new for many feel it is already done for them. There are a few things that would help to Build Up Your Faith for when this is done you begin to see with faith. Then doubt and unbelief and fear will bow unto you and have not say. This includes those sins we fall so esily. These few scriptures that I will write out for you will change this in you BUT you will have to do your part AND THEN God will do His.

Romans 12:2 KJV
And be not conformed to this wortld; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good , and acceptable and perfect will of God.

and as you do this you will have to make this next verse a must do and put it into practice 24/7/365
2Corinthians 10:5 KJV
Casting down "imaginations" or "reasonings" and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into CAPTIVITY every thought to the obedience of Christ.

This next one I want you to pay attention to the first part of it. This is why that is all I write of it.
Matthew 6:31 KJV
31 first part....Therefore Take No Thought- Saying
How do you take a thought ? You say it or speak it. If you speak the thoughts that you are trying to take captive and cast down it will become a battle of it's own that does not need to be fought. Pluss when you speak words they are also heard with your inner ear or another words your mind pays close attention to the words you speak and files them and they are what ends up controlling how you think or act or react....It really is true !!

Your FAITH is only as STRONG AS YOU BELIEVE.
SPEAK 30 FOLD FAITH 70 FOLD DOUBT AND UNBELIEF..... you have now sowed 70 percent weeds into your word seed. This is why your harvest is NOT 100 percent .....

Last one... This is where you will end up if you learn to put forth the time to make the scriptures above a totasl way of live 24/7/365
Galations 5:16 KJV
This I say then, WALK IN THE SPIRIT and ye shall NOT fulfil the lust of the flesh.
NOTE: Lust of the flesh can be said as PRESSURE and is not always a sexual thing. Lust of the flesh is simply the way you did things before God or living as the worldly do. Lust of the flesh can be DOUBT....FEAR....UNBELIEF and so forth.

Once you do these to the point that they have built up your faith you will not have that problem at all. Faith drives it all out. You are going to have to make the choice to choose to do this and FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT. Then you will NOT fall into the category of, why do I still sin so easily ?!!!!!
I can say this............it change my life big time.
Blessings done for them.
Jim
 
So,,,
I still do not know why the Pastor, who I respect greatly for his great love and his knowledge, why did he seem disappointed with my answer that we have been declared clean, based upon the Sacrifice of Christ, but we have not been made perfect (yet)?

Last I heard, he is still preaching at that church. Maybe I should look him up and e-mail, but I truly doubt he would place my name (10 yrs ago at a large church).

God is the only definition for perfect. Everything else falls under this. We all need perfecting and some more then others but never the less it is an on going thing 24/7/365 and that will not change.
 
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,
and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12: 1-2

No matter what our faith is and how noble our walk is - in the end we are clay; we are mortal; we are human not divine.
It is more a matter of attitude and desire to walk right and to keep on keeping on - to run the race - to collect the crown.

Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life,
which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Do not err, my beloved brethren. James 1: 12-16
 
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