You can do it (with the Spirit’s help)
The Christian life is an exciting process of being obedient to God’s word, while using biblical tools to build a more God-like character. This process was outlined in the blogs just prior to this one (1 Thessalonians 1:5-7).
However, there are a number of additional issues in the Christian life that are quite important in scripture and to Christians. This blog deals with one of several of these important topics: dealing with sin.
How do we handle sin as a born-again believer?
This is a big question and plagues each of us some time in our lives. The understanding of a proper answer, based in scripture, is so important to our mental health and relationship with God.
Recurrent sin - How then does a Christian conquer, in a biblical manner, the issue of sin, real or perceived? Not only is the sin itself a problem but it often produces guilt which might further reduce the quality of relationship with God. Here are some tips from scripture and what is not in scripture. The New Testament epistles indicate the following:
· Perceived sin – Make sure your sin is actually viewed by God as sin and you’re not responding to:
o A self-imposed expectation
- Social Christian expectations from family or friends
- Legalism derived from other believers
For example, watching a movie is not a biblical sin but you may feel guilty based on self-imposed restrictions, your reasons for watching the film (careful: might include sin), or the perceived expectations of your church or Christian colleagues. As 1 Timothy 4:4-5 states, everything we do and use in this world should be filtered through prayer and God’s word.
Remember if you do see the movie (or do anything), do so out of faith, because anything we do without faith itself is sin (Romans 14:23). Further, only see it if you do not make fellow Christians stumble (Romans 14:13-21).
· Obey – This is the predominant response to sin for Christians in the epistles: simply obey (Romans 6:12-16; Romans 12:1-2). We are to be God’s worthy servant! Importantly, we love God and others by obeying Him (1 John 5:1-3).
· Hate sin – God hates sin as it is contrary to His righteousness (Hebrews 1:9). Sin ultimately hurts us and potentially others. Part of maturity as a person of God is understanding the ill effects of sin and to hate it as God does (Proverbs 8:13).
· Defeat sin – We are to destroy sin in our lives. We can do this for two amazing reasons:
- The Holy Spirit – God gave us His powerful Spirit to help us defeat sin (Romans 8:13).
- Regeneration – The Holy Spirit regenerated us (Titus 3:5) when we believed at salvation to a new person who is not bound by sin (Ephesians 2:1-3) but it’s free to serve God (Romans 6:2-16).
· We are forgiven (Romans 3:23-26; Colossians 2:13) – We do not need to ask for forgiveness because Christ covers our sins by our faith in His sacrifice on the cross for us .
Some view 1 John 1:9 as saying we should ask for forgiveness; if so, it’s the only such passage in the epistles. In context, this passage presents a foundation for fellowship among believers through our salvation in Christ, before the author proceeds to discuss in Chapters 2 through 4 how a believer acts and believes. John assumes a concept of sin (1 John 3:4-10), and of not obeying the commandments (1 John 2:2-6), as a continual action that, if it defines a person’s life, they probably are an unbeliever. Therefore, John is not using the term ‘sin’ in 1 John 1:9 as a daily sin of a believer that must ask routinely for forgiveness. The verse relates to unbelievers who need forgiveness to salvation.
- Nonetheless, it is healthy to recognize our sin (Romans 8:13) before our holy Father and change our life (please see next point), but forgiveness is not in view.
· Spiritual warfare – Remember our fight is against Satan and not merely against institutions and people in this world. Our tools to defeat Satan, beyond our salvation, are:
o Be alert – Satan wishes to devour you (1 Peter 5:8).
o Remember his methods – Keep from giving him a place and ability to snare you (Ephesians 4:27), caused by:
Ø Not knowing biblical truth or being mature in Christ (Hebrews 5:14; 1 Timothy 3:7).
Ø Incorrect emotions such as anger, lack of forgiveness or temptation! (Ephesians 4:27; 1 Timothy 3:7; 2 Corinthians 2:7).
o Resist him – James 4:7; Ephesians 6:11
Ø Put on the whole armor of God – This is vital and was discussed in the blog about the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 6:10-17).
o Flee sin – 2 Timothy 2:22 tells us to run away from temptation. We are not to surround ourselves with tempting situations to try to measure our spiritual strength. God tells us to put on our running shoes and escape!
· What not to do – There is no need to feel guilty, kick yourself, and act defeated. Instead get up on your feet and obey the word of God! Get over it and get busy allowing God to use your good service to Him.
Bonus section, the unpardonable sin
This important passage is in Matthew 12:31-32. These verses are often misunderstood, and Christians apply them to themselves.
- Remember, you should interpret the gospels through Jewish eyes! In this passage Christ was addressing the Pharisees, who were Jewish leaders. They had the witness from the Holy Spirit, descending upon Christ at His baptism (Matthew 3), which was a testimony He was the promised king bringing salvation as prophesied in the Old Testament (Isaiah 59:20-21; 2 Samuel 7:12-16).
- The Pharisees rejected the testimony of the Holy Spirit and so rejected the message of the kingdom and the gospel. Of course, this was unpardonable (rejecting the gospel).
- For true believing Christians, we have not rejected the gospel but are saved and secure through faith in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins. Accordingly. the passage does not apply to Christians.
These mental disciplines regarding handling of sin are critical to a healthy mindset. God has graciously given us a provision of unimpeded access to Him in prayer through our forgiveness in Christ.
Thanks for joining me, please return next week for another important topic.
William C. Stewart, MD
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Disclaimer - This blog and its content are provided only as information and are intended for visitors 18 and older. No content on the website should be taken as advice or recommendation to any personal or institutional situation. The views expressed are those of the author and not necessarily either shared or endorsed by Teleios. Both the blog and the contents are subject to change at any time without notice. Although I endeavor to ensure that the blog and the content are current and accurate, it may contain errors. I do not represent that the blog or the content is current, accurate or complete, or appropriate for your specific requirements. I do not accept any liability from any person for the blog, the content or any other information (or the use of such information) I provide. I do not have a seminary degree, but I have trained myself in the scriptures to teach and provide this information. For any specific question, I suggest you contact experts in that field and or do your own research into the scriptures.
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