Can we stop sinning?

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claysmithr

Guest
#1
#1
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
 
D

Depleted

Guest
#2
#2
claysmithr said:
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
Before you were born again, how good were you at "stop sinning?" (Assumed "unable.")

What changed? The Lord.

So given you know you can't, how did you get back to thinking you can?

Can you? No.

Can the Lord in you? Definitely, but given even Paul talked about the warring members of his body, it doesn't look like we'll get there in this body.

The Lord has helped me stop several sin areas in my life. And every time he does that, he shows me a sin area I didn't even notice I had. It seems like a pattern.

That said, "Cheer up! You're a worse sinner than you ever dared imagined, and you're more loved than you ever dare hope." (Something Jack Miller used to say often.)
 
Dino246

Dino246

Senior Member
#3
Jun 30, 2015
24,672
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#3
The simple answer is "Yes"... when we die.

The complex answer is "No" because as we grow in sanctification, we are more deeply aware of the depth of our sinfulness, and we are more sensitive to the conviction of the Holy Spirit. If you chat with a few "senior saints" you will likely find that the sins they struggle with are things you might not even consider "sins"... but they have very little trouble with big, obvious, nasty sins.

The best answer is that God continues to work in you as you continue to submit to Him, and through His work, you will grow in holiness. :)
 
MattG

MattG

Banned
#4
Aug 7, 2016
203
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#4
claysmithr said:
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
Brother Claysmithr,

Do you ever fail at loving other people? I do. No you can't stop sinning, because eventually we will die from it, at a time we don't know not even Jesus Chris doesn't know the day or the hour, only the Father.

Jesus Christ never sinned, but we felll short of that Glory.
 
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claysmithr

Guest
#5
#5
Thanks guys. So I guess the answer is: Not in this body, not in this life. In that case, I have to figure out how I'm sinning next, and with God's spirit, try to overcome! :)
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#6
Jul 18, 2017
24,328
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#6
claysmithr said:
So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?
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Of course it is possible. The question is whether it is probable. Even Peter had to be rebuked by Paul, and even Paul had to be given a thorn in the flesh to prevent him from becoming excessively proud.
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#7
Jul 18, 2017
24,328
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#7
claysmithr said:
In that case, I have to figure out how I'm sinning next, and with God's spirit, try to overcome! :)
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No, that is not what you have to "figure out" at all. What you have to figure out is what is the next righteous thing that you will do with God's help, and what is the next good work that you will do to benefit others. Stop focusing on yourself and your sinfulness.
 
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claysmithr

Guest
#8
#8
Nehemiah6 said:
No, that is not what you have to "figure out" at all. What you have to figure out is what is the next righteous thing that you will do with God's help, and what is the next good work that you will do to benefit others. Stop focusing on yourself and your sinfulness.
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Ok, so I shouldn't worry about sinning? Just bearing fruit/good works?
 
Nehemiah6

Nehemiah6

Senior Member
#9
Jul 18, 2017
24,328
12,863
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#9
claysmithr said:
Ok, so I shouldn't worry about sinning? Just bearing fruit/good works?
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Not "worry" about sinning, but simply stop thinking about sins and sinning.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. (Phil 4:8).
 
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claysmithr

Guest
#10
#10
Ok, so focus on Good Things.
 
FlSnookman7

FlSnookman7

Senior Member
#11
Jun 27, 2015
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The Word says that we become what we focus on...Proverbs 23:7, Col 3:2, Rom 8:5.

If we can stay focused on God then the fruits of the Spirit manifest themselves more. As to the question of stopping specific sins, in my case when I can stay in the knowledge of who God says I am and not what I feel or think, I have found it is entirely possible to stop doing a specific thing. However when I instead try by my own will to stop certain things I have failed time and again.

I liken it to trying to hit a golf shot over the water. If I keep thinking "don't hit it in the water" I almost always hit in in the water. If on the other hand I concentrate on the ball landing on the green I am more likely to find success.
 
seed_time_harvest

seed_time_harvest

Senior Member
#12
Dec 9, 2011
13,714
1,722
113
#12
claysmithr said:
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
GOD looks at the heart,man looks at outward appearances.Its the spirit that has been made perfect the part of us that has been sealed and cannot be corrupted but when It comes to conditional sanctification paul wrote that by the mercies of GOD that we should present our bodies a living sacrifice.

For we are HIS workmanship created In CHRIST unto good works.

A person that has been saved will seek to purify themselves even as they are pure.

By The Way sin Is no longer the Issue at hand,now faith Is the Issue at hand.
 
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DevotiontoBible

Senior Member
#13
Jan 6, 2018
1,796
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#13
claysmithr said:
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...
Yes and no. Sexual immorality, murder, drunkenness, stealing, etc. must all be stopped upon conversion. However, other sins take time to stop like sins of omission. But in this life we can not absolutely stop sinning. Like we cannot love God and others perfectly. We must always trust in Christ and the cross to cleanse us of all sins.
 
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mcubed

Senior Member
#14
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
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#14
claysmithr said:
I'm curious... does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?

While I have stopped pornography and masturbation myself... I have stopped sinning obviously, but I'm worried I'm still sinning in ways I haven't thought of yet.

So... my question is... is it possible for us to STOP sinning, with the help of God's spirit?

Thanks! :)
Click to expand...

People will not like this answer but the answer is yes and no. What is sin? Missing the mark. Scripture tells us we miss it with are deeds, we miss it with or words, and we even miss it with our thoughts. Lastly our heart sins... it's a doozy... Do unto others as you will do unto yourself. According to Y-shua you are condemned by the words of your mouth. Paul says to bring every thought captive and under the Word of G-d. James says sin is conceived in the heart. So when do I not sin? NEVER!!!! But when it is conceived in my heart and I have my first thought, because I am SUPER SPERTIAL THAT DAY...I will capture it and bring it under the Word of G-d. Some days when I am a little more fleshly my mouth will not you know, and the days I just don't read my Bible or pray much, except for the simplile prayer on my way to work to make me "feel" special.... You better be sure my flesh has something for you... all out sin... A constant walk keeps my flesh under control; but my Y-shua forgave my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins. Human sins conceive in our hearts, New Creatures in Messiah they do not compawned to action!!!! So, Yes and No. I sin but SIN LESS!!!!
 
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DevotiontoBible

Senior Member
#15
Jan 6, 2018
1,796
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#15
mcubed said:
People will not like this answer but the answer is yes and no. What is sin? Missing the mark. Scripture tells us we miss it with are deeds, we miss it with or words, and we even miss it with our thoughts. Lastly our heart sins... it's a doozy... Do unto others as you will do unto yourself. According to Y-shua you are condemned by the words of your mouth. Paul says to bring every thought captive and under the Word of G-d. James says sin is conceived in the heart. So when do I not sin? NEVER!!!! But when it is conceived in my heart and I have my first thought, because I am SUPER SPERTIAL THAT DAY...I will capture it and bring it under the Word of G-d. Some days when I am a little more fleshly my mouth will not you know, and the days I just don't read my Bible or pray much, except for the simplile prayer on my way to work to make me "feel" special.... You better be sure my flesh has something for you... all out sin... A constant walk keeps my flesh under control; but my Y-shua forgave my past sins, my present sins, and my future sins. Human sins conceive in our hearts, New Creatures in Messiah they do not compawned to action!!!! So, Yes and No. I sin but SIN LESS!!!!
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Very good but let me add something. The Greek word for sin is an archery term "missing the mark". But in the context of the Bible it is not "Oops! I missed the bullseye" but actually shooting an arrow at God:

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Psalms 51:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.51.4.NLT
 
Marcelo

Marcelo

Senior Member
#16
Feb 4, 2016
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#16
claysmithr said:
...does sanctification lead to a cessation of sin? Is it possible for us to stop sinning?
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It is perfectly possible to stop committing sins like adultery, fornication, dishonesty, murder, etc., but I don't think it is possible to completely stop sinning.
 
M

mcubed

Senior Member
#17
Dec 20, 2013
1,449
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#17
DevotiontoBible said:
Very good but let me add something. The Greek word for sin is an archery term "missing the mark". But in the context of the Bible it is not "Oops! I missed the bullseye" but actually shooting an arrow at God:

Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.

Psalms 51:4 NLT
https://bible.com/bible/116/psa.51.4.NLT
Click to expand...

Yes, AMEN!!! We shall NEVER BE SINLESS!!! Thank G-d there are time we, I can sin less. But all sin is ultimately against G-d as King David says. That is why every human is a sinner in need of a Savior. And we keep on needed Him until we move home. That is the greatest promise of salvation, next to moving home, NO MORE SIN at HOME!!!! Then we will be free from sin and death! But PRAISE BE UNTO HIM, because of Y-shua I am a bondservant no loner a slave to sin and death but a servant of Messiah. I am saved, I am being saved, and I will be saved.... THAT IS MY DADDY'S BLOOD IT GETS NO BETTER!!! IT SAVED ME, IT KEEPS ME SAVED, AND IT WILL TAKE ME ALL THE WAY HOME!!!! BECAUSE ALL SIN IS AGAINST HIM; SO HE WHO KNEW NO SIN BECAME MY SIN.... I CALLED AND HE HEARD ME, I BELIEVED.... BELIEVE.... AND HE SAVED/ SAVES FROM THE GUTTER!!! MY DADDY!!! WHAT A G-D.... WHAT A DADDY!!!!!
 
J

Jay333

Member
#18
Feb 10, 2018
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#18
Yes but we won’t be absolutely perfect in thought word and deed until the Lord returns.
 
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graceNpeace

Senior Member
#19
Aug 12, 2016
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#19
Jay333 said:
Yes but we won’t be absolutely perfect in thought word and deed until the Lord returns.
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Yes indeed!
In absolute terms we will always be hugely short of the mark...
Thank God for the grace of God I say!

Does not mean that we should not make every effort to live for God - emphasis on living for God - rather than trying to be sinless.
There is more than a subtle distinction to be made here....
Trying just to be "sinless" is a selfish, inward looking, and totally fruitless exercise.
Living for God on the other hand - now we may get somewhere!
And guess what? As we live with an outward looking Godly perspective somehow our desire and propensity to sin ebbs away!

However, to anyone who thinks that they can live in sinless perfection, they have only achieved a supreme level of self-delusional perfection - nothing else!
 
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