Sin Management

I'm struggling with what most Christians struggle with, and though I already know quite a lot about this issue, I still don't fully understand...

I just can't seem to stop sinning. It's just part of my nature. According to the Bible it's just a part of every human's nature and we all sin like crazy. God sent his son to die for our sins so that through faith in him we can live. I get all that. What I still don't quite get, even after countless times of it being explained to me, is why God asks us to stop sinning after that.

Now I know, it's always better to not sin. I'm not saying that like, 'I want to sin and God just won't let me' or something, I'm just wondering why God asks us to stop all while knowing full well that we won't. Trust me, you don't even know how much I wish I was completely sin free. I HATE sin, but despite my constant struggle, I always end up sinning...

I know that we're supposed to live by faith, not by works. I know Christ has it covered. I don't know however, why he tells me to stop sinning despite it when he knows it won't happen. He even says "Be perfect just as your Heavenly Father is perfect.' That's just setting me up for failure. Now I go around downing myself constantly because of it. Like I didn't have enough self-esteem issues without constantly feeling guilty for something.

You'd think he'd just be happy with you accepting his son and therefore accepting him, agreeing that his Moral Law is just, admitting your a sinner and he's holy, and then just trust that once you're finally off this sinful Earth and with him you won't sin anymore... But then Jesus warns that if you keep sinning you're in danger of the fires of Hell. I mean, why say that when he knows the results?

I don't know... This has always had my brain in a crunch. I don't know how to understand or manage this issue. Can you sin to the point God doesn't accept you anymore? Is there a point of no return? If so, what is it? Really struggling at the moment...

I've actually been wondering that myself lately, though not all straight forward like what you're describing here. And honestly, I have no heck of an idea how one can break from "old habits" if that's what's expected of Christians after doing certain things for so many years... And even if it's a sin recently committed, which a few I've done, it's hard to break from it just like that once you know you've done wrong. Hopefully someone at least has an answer...

One thing that could help is give God a more fatherly point of view in your head... Re-read your post but instead of reading sin read Putting my hand in a cookie jar, and instead of God put father or mother... and so on... Here I will post it for you, just read it like someone is asking your this... Don't picture yourself asking it...





Take in note, I deleted a lot of sentences pertaining to Christ's death on the cross... NOT BECAUSE I WANT TO CHANGE THE MESSAGE!!! But because there is no earthly equivalent to his act of selfless-ness...

P.s. I learned a lot from rewording your question... Also I have the same problem of sinning time after time after time!

I hope this helps (and check my version against your own make sure it still has the same meaning!)

The Bad news is we are sinners... The Good news is Jesus came to save sinners and set us free from the power of sin. So, in this life and in our strength we will never live a life that is sinless, but because of the sacrifice of Jesus and new life in Him we can live a life where we sin less. The less we sin the more free we become.
It is not some cruel joke from God to say "Don't sin" yet know we are bound to fail. It is a wake up call to us that now the fight is on! Our flesh ( old nature) loves sin and Hates the Holy Spirit who now dwells in us.
This is exactly what is being addressed in Gal. 5:16-17 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.

You should check out my thread "What kind of Christian are you?" Sin Management was a term coined by Dallas Willard who was a friend of mine and went to my church. Much of my pastors teachings were influenced by him. I don't think you can sin yourself away from God. Nothing can separate us from His love. I am in the same boat as you in some ways. Sin Management is not a good thing, but many of us fall into it. You just have to keep rising and giving all you can give Him, including your unwillingness or inability to give Him some things.

I have had a long hard struggle for years and for the first time I am getting a better understanding of what my problem is and what the tools are that God has given to win the fight. The info. in this series of video's has been a major key, and they are short.. less than 5 min. each. Hope this helps.
01_01 Looking unto Jesus - YouTube

Hi witness...it seems like your focusing too much on not sinning instead of just living holy. It doesn't happen overnight, it is a one-day-at-a-time lifestyle. What I discovered in the last several years is the closer you get to the Lord, and develop your personal relationship with him, the easier it becomes not to sin. You also have to consider what you are thinking about all day, who you are spending your time with, what places you go to each day. How often do you spend time truly studying God's word, is it a burden or a joy for you to study God's word and learn from him? How often do you spend time in prayer? Is it a joy or burden to pray? Do you have a church home that teaches the true word of God? Are you an active member who seeks to get involved and discover your ministry that Christ has for you to do for him and others? These are all questions you must ask yourself and be honest with the response. Each day the Lord allows you to live, just ask the Lord to get you through TODAY, don't worry about tomorrow until tomorrow. If you should sin, repent right away and move on, don't dwell on it (the devil will take advantage of that). BUT, don't ever stop wanting to live in holiness as God requires us to. The very first scripture I memorized as a young teenager from my church bible study class was this: There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. I Cor 10:13 Each of us are tempted to sin, but that scripture lets me know that God will make a way for us to escape from sinning if we call on him seriously, during that very temptation. God knows we are going to fall short at times, but the closer we get to him, the easier it becomes to resist sin. The devil is always going to make it seem like sin is so hard to resist, because that's his job. You think about those questions I asked. You can do it! You can live holy!