How long can a Christian go without sinning?

[Depleted]

Is loving ourselves as much as someone else sin?

The reason Jesus never said the law comes down to love God, love others, and love self is because "love self" is already ingrained in us. We think of ourselves above all others. What we think of ourselves really doesn't matter, because, in the end, it always comes down to what everyone else should do for us. ("I'm not lovable, but everyone should love me anyway, so it's their fault." "I am the most wonderful person in the world, so everyone should honor me." Either end, that's where we go.)

The thing that goes against our nature is to think God, and then others, should come before self, just like we already think they should love us first.

That is the amazing part about God. He demands (with love) that we become all we can be, which is not love-self first. He always wants the opposite of what we want. And he does that for the same reason parents gives their baby milk, instead of sugar water. (And, let's face it. Given the choice without dealing with the ramification, we'd rather have the sugar water. And it feels kind of bad that we're given mere milk, when there is sugar water.) Because he loves us so much he only wants what is good for us.

Right now, we're torn between having fun and doing something for God or for someone else. The "have fun" part is how much we love self. We already love self just fine. Imagine changing that around to loving others and loving God being more important than having fun. AND, more enjoyable! That's what God's plan is. We were designed to love God fully and love others as much as we love ourselves.

Sin sunk us down to love-self first.

 

[Utah]

I know I am. I don't claim to know what other people are. I'm hard enough on myself at different times.

It's really simple...if your thought life is consumed by evil thoughts you will reap a character based on that. If your thoughts are Godly holy thoughts you will reap a character based on that.

Been there; done that.

 

[Sirk]

I know I am. I don't claim to know what other people are. I'm hard enough on myself at different times.

It's really simple...if your thought life is consumed by evil thoughts you will reap a character based on that. If your thoughts are Godly holy thoughts you will reap a character based on that.

And all of us are somewhere on that scale in between perfection and total depravity.

 

[Utah]

it says what it says. im not saying ive kept God's commandments and ordinances perfectly, dont get spooked now

Far from spooked, brother. Great avatar, by the way.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I wasn't asking, "Whats wrong with you people?" I am well aware of me wording things in such a way as to alienate myself from the rest, as I was writing. I took a mental note of it, which is why "we" is is very helpful word. I think the Lord kept me in check as to not get prideful because any time I worded it in such a way that implied me versus them, I couldn't but help think of Paul's thorn in the flesh (for his revelations and to not get prideful).

I am not being prideful but was careful as to not present the perspective of, "How have you all missed it?" Such a question, if it was worded, was in dumbfounded-ness that so many fellow believers truly don't believe we can walk even a day in righteousness. It wasn't said in the way you portrayed it comparing it to Mark 12:30-31. It was said in sincerity.

Isn't it odd that Gods' blessings can make a man prideful? I passed through a very prideful state after I met Him, and then again a very prideful state when I first began to see some small victories. You would think this would be impossible because it is always some small growth in humility that is good, that we then somehow turn sour for a bit until He brings us more humilities and straightening...

 

[Depleted]

What does "dead to sin" mean to you?

Romans 6 King James Version (KJV)

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
7 For he that is dead is freed from sin.
8 Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
9 Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.
10 For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof.
13 Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
14 For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.
15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid.
16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Love-self is dead. As in mortify it. Cast it out. Focus on God. Focus on others. Repeat until glorification.

I am, by nature, an addict. I am dead to getting stoned. It's no longer an option. And yet, if I didn't replace getting stoned with something else, even saying that would be useless.

I am dead to suicide. No more allowing that thought to be the focus of my brain. And yet, something had to replace it.

I am dead to lying. No more allowing those thoughts to consume my mind, and yet something had to replace it.

I am dead to gossiping. No longer is gossiping allowed to consume my mind, but something had to replace it.

I am dead to sin, but until I recognize the sins I sin, I cannot stop it from consuming my mind.

What replaces it? More of a who. His name is Jehovah. And through him he has changed me to rather create than get stoned, rather spend the time doing something for someone else than get absorbed with how much I hurt so how easy it would be to... He has changed me from going for the easy out (lying) and trying to learn tact. (I never said I've gotten it down easily or quickly. lol) He has changed me to walk away and do something else rather than listen to....

I am dead to sin. But God has to give me the skills and ability to mortify those suckers!

 

[dcontroversal]

John's reply to this in the present tense is clear.......Until we get a glorified body sin is ever present with us. This is not to say that we sin willfully every day, nor is it to say that we live a continual lifestyle of sin. Those who deny that our born again spirit is not still bound in a fallen, wicked sinful body are denying the truth...these two constantly war for control and the mind is the battle ground. Yes...Jesus is the greater one that is in us as opposed to the one who is in the world. The problem is simple...many qualify sin into nice little boxes from small insignificant sins to the horrific sins of murder, adultery etc.....to break one of the least of God's commandments makes one guilty of the whole....a little white lie is as grievous and sinful as murder as both = breaking the law......the verb tenses used and the use of WE and US in John's statements under inspiration forever settle this question in my mind. As believers we all fail and sin...end of story.....this does not equal a lifestyle of sin and or day unto day living in willful sin as some like to accuse of and or promote.....the big difference is that sin no longer has dominion over a believer and we are not under the condemnation found in the law against sin......

Written to believers-->WHERE sin abounds, grace did much more abound!

 

[pottersclay]

We're set free of the consequences of all our sins. We have a new master now though. His name is God. We are freed, but not to do whatever we feel like and have the "whatever we feel like" be the focus. We have been set apart. (The meaning to the word "sanctified.") At glorification we are then set apart for our purpose to glorify God forever by becoming not-sin. That is the full freedom.

Israel was "set free" from Egypt. Set apart. Did that make them sinless either?

We are not set free from consequences but rather it's wages which is death.
Example being if I killed someone and were caught prison or death sentence would be the consequence. But if I were forgiven by god for the crime then I am freed from the wage or penalty of the act. Maybe this is what you meant and this is to clarify that a bit.
David was forgiven by God but his sin caused him turmoil in his life.
Being forgiven by God does not mean we will not reap what we have sown but forgiveness means we will not pay the price of sin which is death.

 

[maxwel]

The question is not really so much so about the length of time as it is the possibility of doing so. So when its asked if its possible to not sin daily, weekly, or yearly the important factor here is not the time table but whether or not a Christian can, will, or ought to not sin for periods of time.

How often isn't really quantifiable, to a certain degree (and is very subjective), but what I am sharing is extracting the truth from God's word and comparing it to the belief that we cannot abstain from sin for a day, a week, a month, or an hour. This belief seems contradictory to the sin nature being crucified, and us reckoning ourselves dead to sin and alive unto God (symbolized in baptism).

Think of the question not in terms of quantifying, but whether its possible to sin not. When its stated that a believer cannot abstain from sin for any period of time, quantifying is irrelevant. We need to first establish that we are set free from sin, dead to it, and therefore we serve in the newness of life. We are slaves to righteousness and not sin. Without this foundation any means by which we determine how often we sin is pointless because such sin is a result of having not renewed the mind to the reality of who we are in Christ.

DEFINE YOUR TERMS

You are still theorizing about sin without defining it.

It is logically impossible to have a discussion about something you refuse to define.



Define "SIN", and define "SINS"... what exactly are you claiming you can overcome?


I'm not debating your doctrinal position, I'm imploring everyone to be rational.

You cannot, CANNOT discuss something until you define it.

 

[Depleted]

We are not set free from the consequences of our sin. We still deal with them in this life. Touch a hot stove....burn your finger type of thing.

The consequences for sin is separation from God, death, and hell.

I'm back with God, death shall not hold me, and won't be going to hell.

Can you not say the same thing?

I admit to eating corncobs with the pigs (figuratively, not literally, and reference to the Prodigal Son), but yeah. If I'm dumb enough to walk away from God and stubborn enough to refuse to go back before I got to that point, (which I admit I've done), then he's going to persuade me to return the easy way or the hard way. I've been in the belly of the fish. I'm tired of the belly of the fish. So, yeah, there are consequences for sin, but in the end THE consequences have been propitiated for me by Jesus.

 

[Sirk]

The consequences for sin is separation from God, death, and hell.

I'm back with God, death shall not hold me, and won't be going to hell.

Can you not say the same thing?

I admit to eating corncobs with the pigs (figuratively, not literally, and reference to the Prodigal Son), but yeah. If I'm dumb enough to walk away from God and stubborn enough to refuse to go back before I got to that point, (which I admit I've done), then he's going to persuade me to return the easy way or the hard way. I've been in the belly of the fish. I'm tired of the belly of the fish. So, yeah, there are consequences for sin, but in the end THE consequences have been propitiated for me by Jesus.

The consequences for sin aren't ALL spiritual. We live in a physical world too in case you forgot

 

[posthuman]

Yeah but most people know enough to not touch a hot stove..

how do they find out not to?

they believe when it's told to them, or else evidence eventually convinces them.

Paul said he didn't know what sin was until the commandment came. those without the law - did they know what sin is before someone committed it?

some people know not to touch a hot stove, but they do it anyway, blind to or uncaring about the consequences

 

[PennEd]

Our doctrines are to far apart for my capabilities in communication Sister. Grace777,Roger,Freenchrist,DC,Grandpa( I remembered ya!) Penn ED, Wattie,EGand I know I am missing some, Are way more qualified.

Penn ed in terms of vocabulary, doctrines and how I understand him...............I line up with about 99% of the time. He communicates much better than I do.

Thank you for your kind words. When I think about this issue, I line up very close to Grace777' view.

If I were to imagine me asking Jesus this question, I think His response would be similar to Joshua asking Him if He is with us, or for our adversaries? NO.

Maybe even entertaining the question is missing the mark, which is of course the very definition of sin.
So many threads that we talk about sin, and for some this is necessary. Those who haven't been given a revelation of God's incredible Grace. For many of us though, it reminds me of the News credo "if it bleeds it leads".
Then the news leaves about 2 minutes for uplifting "human interest" stories.

Let's love the Lord and each other, and uplift in joy from the knowledge of Him!

 

[Depleted]

The consequences for sin aren't ALL spiritual. We live in a physical world too in case you forgot

Like God is in control of one, but not the other? :/

I really was separated from God. I really was doomed to go to hell. I really was doomed to die without ever rising again.

 

[dcontroversal]

The consequences for sin aren't ALL spiritual. We live in a physical world too in case you forgot

Exactly.....David suffered physical issues due to his sin and when God chastens it also involves physical issues.....including but not limited to sickness, disease, loss of blessings such as food or financial means, physical death etc.....<--all found throughout scripture I might add!

 

[Sirk]

Like God is in control of one, but not the other? :/

I really was separated from God. I really was doomed to go to hell. I really was doomed to die without ever rising again.

So now I can blame God when I text and drive and get in wreck because He is in control of that?

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

Romans 6:1-2 King James Version (KJV)

6 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

I think you may have misread what I said though.

Haha! Okay. I was thinking you mistyped. I still maintain that my confusion was your fault.

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I wasn't asking, "Whats wrong with you people?" I am well aware of me wording things in such a way as to alienate myself from the rest, as I was writing. I took a mental note of it, which is why "we" is is very helpful word. I think the Lord kept me in check as to not get prideful because any time I worded it in such a way that implied me versus them, I couldn't but help think of Paul's thorn in the flesh (for his revelations and to not get prideful).

I am not being prideful but was careful as to not present the perspective of, "How have you all missed it?" Such a question, if it was worded, was in dumbfounded-ness that so many fellow believers truly don't believe we can walk even a day in righteousness. It wasn't said in the way you portrayed it comparing it to Mark 12:30-31. It was said in sincerity.

If you think back, you didn't know this either from the moment you met Him.Weren't you also just as dumbfounded when you realized He was making you to not sin in heart?

 

[Stunnedbygrace]

I understand where you are coming from. I suppose the main thing is to define what is sinning. I don't believe in total sinless perfection in the flesh. I do believe that the inner man in Christ the new creation cannot sin. 1 John 3:9 & 1 John 5:18

I believe that those outward blatant sins done in the body can be done away with as we walk by the Spirit within us so that we don't do the lusts of the flesh to do "it's" desires.

We are learning to live from the life of Another in us and while we are learning this - the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin. 1 John 1:7

I believe that we need to understand the circumcision of Christ in Col. 2:11 where it says that the body of sin/flesh has been cut away from the inner man that is in Christ. We are still responsible with what we do in these bodies.

Knowing the truth of the circumcision of the heart and complete dependence on the grace of God has been amazing to me because I have been living a holier life effortlessly then I ever thought possible before when I was in the works-based religion of performance. I still fight the good fight of faith which is to believe in what Christ has done on the cross and resurrection and the fact that I too died with Him and have been raised to newness of life.

I have written a few times about the difference between "sin" and "sinning". I believe knowing the difference between these addresses the "sin shall not have dominion over us" question in my mind. Here is a link if interested.

http://christianchat.com/bible-disc...have-dominion-over-us-christ.html#post2835447

I was thinking about what you've said here. I didn't have so many blatant outward sins even BEFORE I met Him. For instance, I had never murdered anyone. Because I wanted to fit into society and be accepted by mankind. And I didn't want to go to prison. And I'm fairly certain after having met Him, I still will never shoot anyone. I think a focus on blatant outward sin is missing the thing.

The point to me is more like, no murderer will see heaven as we all know, but you who condemn a murderer, why do you do the same thing?

 

[MessageOfTheCross]

[SUP]3 [/SUP]And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?
[SUP]
4 [/SUP]And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.
[SUP]
5 [/SUP]And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.
[SUP]
6[/SUP]Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.
[SUP]
7 [/SUP]And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?
[SUP]
8 [/SUP]Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.​ Exodus 17


As a child of God expect the Amalek's to come against you. As soon as the Holy Spirit starts to move in your life, don't think Satan is going to sit idly by and watch it happen. As the water in those days was a precious commodity because there was no water, Amalek saw the water coming out the rock and wanted the water. Satan is going to do whatever he can to steal what God has given you. As a child of God don't allow this to happen. It is imperative that all Believers maintain Faith exclusively in Christ and His Finished Work, i.e. The Cross, i.e., The Blood of Jesus, i.e., The Law of the Spirit of Life IN Christ Jesus (Romans 8:2). This guarantees victory over the world, the flesh, and the devil. The child of God must always set the LORD in front of him. Why? Because He is our answer.