Authentic Christians Do Not Sin
[This is a part of the 7 Lies Christians Believe Series. Have you read the other posts?]
I hate sin! I used to believe that one day I would be a godly enough man who wouldn’t struggle with sin. Real Christians don’t let sin get the best of them, right? Wrong!
I don’t believe it is ever our intent to let sin win in our lives but the sad truth is that it does happen from time to time.
Sinless People Don’t Need Jesus
To believe that authentic Christians don’t sin is really an arrogant idea. Remember that first day when you put your trust in Jesus. What did you do? What did you trust Him for?
We trusted Jesus to save us from our sin. Was this just a one-time affair? No. As followers of Christ we are not just trusting Him to save us from sin but to also save us from a lifestyle of sin.
Working Through Sin Leads to Maturity
Men if you are honest with yourself you know that you have temptations everyday. In order for us to press on toward maturity we need to deal with sin head on.
I believe the more we give into sin the more we drain ourselves of God’s life giving Spirit. We need to fight for our wins in the sin battle everyday. Maturity accelerates in our life when we choose godly action over giving into sin.
How to Overcome Sin
- Be honest with yourself. You are a frail human who is bombarded with sin opportunities each day. If you didn’t sin then you wouldn’t need Jesus.
- Know yourself. Where are you most vulnerable? Is it when you are hungry, sleepy, lonely, overworked? Do your best to cultivate a healthy lifestyle. Sin can’t be avoided 100% but at least don’t give it an open door.
- Devour God’s Word. Do you go to a good church where you are surrounded by godly people? Do you tell God about your temptations? Do you have a Bible reading plan? I believe implementing these into your life will help you win over sin.
- Live God’s Word. Learning God’s Word is just the first part. Make sure that you are applying Scripture to your life.
- Live in community. The Christian life was never meant to be lived alone. Pray for and seek out godly men who will help keep us accountable.
Authentic Christians Do Sin
If we say we do not sin then we are doing two things:
- We are sinning.
- We are calling God a liar.
Here is what 1 john 1: 8-10 has to say,
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.
I truly believe that the only people who do not sin are those who are authentically dead! But be encouraged because God has given us His Spirit. God lives in us and with His strength we can choose not to be a slave to sin. Also be encouraged that we will eventually overcome sin (Hebrews 13:14).
How Do You Deal With Sin?
I didn’t even come close to providing all the ways to overcome sin. Please share one way in the comments below how you deal with sin in your life.
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I so need to work on number three. I want to read, I love to read (the Bible) but I just don’t.
Thanks for the post brother!
Thanks for your honesty. I too want/love to read the Bible but when life gets in the way I can have a difficult time staying focused.
I like how you’ve explained this, in a way that can be workable with different traditions.I think that we cannot escape temptation, and we cannot escape our involuntary natural tendencies. But, I do think that at anytime we are able to choose to give into those things or not. Even in extreme duress, and temporary madness brought on by extreme circumstances, we can choose.
I can say this because I have been there, and learned from experience. A few years ago, someone very close to me was sexually assaulted. I have never in my life ever considered killing another human being, even in my darkest days before Christ. But, here all I wanted to do was kill the perpetrator – I had murder in my mind – I was mad with pain – crazy with revenge. Yet, God and I worked through that moment as I sat in the corner of my gun closet tears flooding. Simultaneously I was planning the deed and asking God for help.
Thankfully, the power He places in us is the same power that conquered the grave, and He loved me into putting the guns away and forgiving the perpetrator.
In Him, we can face sin and stand. It is when we walk alone that we are slave to sin – and yes, even authentically saved and sanctified Christians often walk alone – not fully trusting and relying upon God. We get arrogant, insisting that we can handle it ourselves.
Again, I am not saying that Christians cannot or do not sin. But I do think we have a tendency to play the “I’m just human card” and forget that we have power within us that is not only capable of freeing us from past sin, but also from any sin.
Thanks for sharing that story with us Herb. I don’t think you are alone in how you were feeling because I know I would see myself wanting to react the same way.
There are a few things that have made me pretty upset today. I really needed to read your last paragraph.
Living in a new culture I find myself letting little things bother me more than they did in the US.
It’s funny. I published this post today hoping it would help others and I think I am the one who needs the help.
Thanks again.
I thought this was a terrible article when I saw Herb Halstead’s tweet about it, but I’m glad I read it before I responded! Very true – well written. Thanks!
Thanks for giving me a chance Bernard
“Live in community”. This is one that I’ve just recently learned about within the past few years. The community that I have surrounded myself with is a HUGE help in my walk.
Thanks for reinforcing the idea of community Tony.
I find #5 “Live in Community” to be particularly helpful. I have a few men who hold me accountable and without them it would be very difficult at times.
I actually think #5 is the most difficult to do but yes I agree, it is one of the most beneficial.
Thanks for the comment Kevin
Great post and points here, David. I think one of the things that has helped me (though I’m certainly not finished yet) is asking forgiveness quickly. I read somewhere that this is the mark of someone maturing in Christ, not that they never sin, but ask God’s forgiveness immediately. The other thing that helps is to recognize my small compromises that lead to “bigger” sins. If I head things off at the pass (by grace), I can do a lot better in fleeing temptation, but if I don’t, one compromises leads to another and another.
Thanks David.
Good advise Jason.
1. Ask for forgiveness quickly
2. Head compromise that leads to sin off at the pass
Thanks!
It would be best to define sin first to understand whether it’s right to say Christians are still sinners.
God’s definitions are best as man’s are too ambiguous.
God’s definitions of sin are basically covered by:
1: Mark3:29 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
Christians do not sin here.
2: John16:9 Unbelief in Jesus.
Christians do not sin here either.
3: 1John5:17 “all unrighteousness is sin