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Can a christian do habitual sins?

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by xdisciplex, May 6, 2006.

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  1. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    Or is this not possible? But if it's not possible then there could be no christian who struggles with sin. There could be no christian who has an alcohol problem or other things. Does this make sense? :confused:
     
    #1 xdisciplex, May 6, 2006
  2. Claudia_T

    Claudia_T New Member

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    I dont think I ever knew a Christian who doesnt struggle with habitual sins...

    Being that we have a sinful human nature, we are born with certain hereditary tendencies to sin and also there are sins we have cultivated in the past which are difficult to break.


    Claudia
     
    #2 Claudia_T, May 6, 2006
  3. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Here's what I know.

    Christians should be sanctified. That is, set apart, different, "peculiar", and unworldly.

    We should strive for sanctification daily.

    We should tell the world that "we will NOT be moved" from God's holy standard. We should repent and confess, if needs be on a daily basis, so as not to be moved.

    Now, with THAT being said....many christians DO struggle with sin, even particular sins. Some christians are a not living a life of testimony and may even be a hindrance to other believers and to the lost because of their struggle with a particular sin.

    Here's why...and again this is just my own personal thoughts.

    </font>
    • Too many christians are satisfied to live by their "beliefs". That fine, except for when temptation comes around or spiritual "laziness" sets in, a person's "belief" system can be tossed to and fro by the wind. Belief systems change....they come from one's "head knowledge" and beliefs are formulated by the human mind....beliefs are "situational". Even christians will say....."Well, I know what the bible says, but my situation is different....". Christians should live their daily life based on their convictions. Conviction comes from the Holy Spirit. It is supernatural. The content of christian conviction does not change. If we would stop living by our human based beliefs, even though they might be well-intended and "moral" and start living by our Spirit-led convictions, our struggles with sin would subside greatly.</font>
    • Christians, as a whole, have stopped reading their bibles daily. I dare you to ask 20 christian friends to tell you whether or not they read their bibles daily and see the percentage that don't. I embarrassed to tell you on this public forum that I don't.</font>
    • Christians, as a whole, don't have a serious, active, and mature prayer life.</font>
    • Christians, as a whole, are not holding each other accountable for ANYTHING. We don't want to offend anyone. We look at our own selves and say, "Well, I'm not doing too good right now in what I ought to be doing for the Lord, so I'm not going to help out my brother or my sister by exalting them up in christian accountability. They know too much about me for me to "judge" them anyway.</font>
    • Christians have assimilated so much of the world into our daily lives that we aren't worried anymore about "finishing the race" or "fighting the good fight". All we are worried about is just getting through the church service without falling asleep and thinking how glad we are that the our church doesn't have Wednesday night prayer meeting anymore and glad we are that it doesn't really matter if we go on Sunday nights anymore because hardly anyone shows up anyway. Paul's concept of "finishing the race" and "fighting the good fight" is almost totally lost on us today.</font>
    • And finally, many "christians" struggle terribly with sin, even particular sins because their are not saved in the first place. There are millions of people who attend church even semi-regularly, who are on the church role, but are going to split hell wide open.</font>
    Yes, christians stuggle with sin.

    Anyone who says that they don't is a liar.

    And, yes, some christians, true and genuine christians, struggle with that same old foul, burdensome sin that has plagued them for years.

    Why can't they shake it?

    Because while the devil is laughing his head off, enjoying spiritually suffocating them with that sin, christians "believe" that they can shake it of their own accord.

    The devil, the father of lies, tells struggling Christians this:

    </font>
    • "See, you knew that you would do this again. It's because you are pathetic."</font>
    • "You make God sick at his stomach."</font>
    • "God will NEVER forgive you after this length of time."</font>
    • "God doesn't love you anymore anyway. He never really did."</font>
    • "Come on, just fight me yourself. Use your own "will" to fight back. God's not going to help you anymore with this sin anymore. It's just you and me."</font>
    Sound familiar to anyone?

    It's all lies from the pits of hell. But struggling christians believe it all, because we are not in the center of God's will.

    We have no peace because our spiritual muscles haven't been exercised in a long time.

    What is the answer?

    Lay the burden at the feet of God the Father and lay it in the blood of Jesus and do NOT pick it back up again, pray, read the bible daily, surround yourself with christian brothers and sisters who can keep you accountable, stay focused on Spirit-led convictions and not wishy-washy beliefs, fight that good fight, finish that race, pray actively and as a warrior would pray, repent, repent, confess, confess, serve God daily, hourly, and even by the minute if necessary,....

    ...and SHOUT to the devil if necessary...

    ...."from the biblical convictions of the Holy Spirit, I will NOT be moved"!

    Peace-
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
    #3 Scarlett O., May 6, 2006
  4. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I agree, Scarlett.

    I believe that we ALL have 'pet' sins, but that does not mean that we are not to constantly try and overcome them.

    Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
    Hebrews 12:1

    Even Paul struggled daily with sin.

    For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I.
    Romans 7:15

    I have found that the sins that beset me the most are sins that I am blaming someone or something outside of myself for.

    As long as I can blame someone or something else, then I have the 'right' to feel helpless to change, and I can excuse what I'm doing.

    Until I am willing to take responsibility for my own sins, I will never overcome them. It may be a lifelong struggle, but we ARE overcomers.

    Blessings,
    §ue
     
    #4 I Am Blessed 24, May 6, 2006
  5. Bro. Curtis

    Bro. Curtis <img src =/curtis.gif>
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    Justification happens upon being born again.

    Sanctification is a life-long process.

    Glorification will happen when we meet our savior.
     
    #5 Bro. Curtis, May 6, 2006
  6. SpiritualMadMan

    SpiritualMadMan New Member

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    Succinct and Well Spoken! [​IMG]
     
    #6 SpiritualMadMan, May 6, 2006
  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    [​IMG] Why is it that other people can "speak" volumes so concisely and it always takes me "writing" volumes to say things so inconcisely?

    Bro. Curtis, you hit the proverbial nail on the head.

    And Sue, thank you for the scripture that so clearly points out the truth.

    Peace-
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
    #7 Scarlett O., May 6, 2006
  8. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    But I was told that a christian can sin occassionally but when a christian has habitual sins then it's really concerning and not normal.
    The problem is what if sinning is caused by other problems and you cannot solve them? Then it's a real vicious circle. What if you always sin when you're depressed because when you're depressed you're much more vulnerable to sin. When everything is fine and my relationship with God is okay then resisting sin is not so hard, but when you're depressed then resisting is much harder. I get depressed because I want to be close to God, and when I'm depressed I'm vulnerable to sin and then I think if only I did not sin then I might be closer to God. It's a real vicious circle. :(
    Or it's the same with faith. What happens if you've already experienced so many disappointments that you cannot really have faith for a change? Does this mean that God is up there saying: Well, I would like to help you but you don't have enough faith anymore, sorry.
    Is God like this?
    What happens if you're in a situation where you feel totally miserable and all you can do is lament but God expects you to praise him in exactly this situation but you don't come to this idea or you are not able to praise him, does this mean that God would have done something if you had behaved correctly but now where you did the wrong thing God will not do anything? Often I feel like this. I feel like I'm doing everything wrong and then ask myself what if God had done something if I had behaved differently? Maybe God expected me to do something and I didn't do the right thing.
     
    #8 xdisciplex, May 6, 2006
  9. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    No, God is not like that. God is looking down and saying, "Bless his heart, he's gonna try again."

    We serve a God of many chances. The only failure is in quitting or giving up.
     
    #9 I Am Blessed 24, May 6, 2006
  10. Claudia_T

    Claudia_T New Member

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    If we on this chat board feel pity for you in your state of sin and trying to stop, do you think we are more compassionate than God Himself is towards you?

    NO!!

    God knows your every single struggle to overcome sin. He knows your desire to give it up. God also knows that you just dont know yet exactly how to do it.

    ...and He will show you, but it takes time and experience.

    Ps:103:14: For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust.

    Claudia
     
    #10 Claudia_T, May 6, 2006
  11. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Life has hurt you and your faith suffers for it?

    All I can tell you, brother is to take hold of my hand and get in line with me and let's join the crowd of millions of other christians and let's seek God.

    We are in a world of evil and sin that is NOT our home nor our source of happiness nor joy in the Lord.

    I'm not talking about having a "pity party", I talking about what I believe you are talking about - real sorrow.

    You know who put that thought in your head?

    The devil.

    That is a lie and he is the father of lies.

    Everytime we "mess up" or get burdened, the devil beats us down with a baseball bat and says, "God doesn't care about you today." And when we try to get up and say, "devil, you are a liar", he beats us down again.

    Some people stay down and defeated, because they are trying to tackle the devil all by themselves.

    Try memorizing some scripture like the 23rd Psalm or the Beatitudes or Micah 7:8 or whatever works for you and quote them daily.

    I like Micah 7:8 "Do not rejoice over me, O my enemy (the devil), for when I fall, I will get up, and when I am in the darkness, the Lord is my light."



    NO!

    Listen to this true story about a woman who was literally in the place you just described.

    There was a woman about one hundred years ago who went to a local park with her husband. In a large pond, a boy was drowning. Her husband jumped in to save him and her husband drowned trying to save that boy. All she could do was stand there a watch. Perhaps she couldn't swim herself or perhaps ladie's dresses of the day and pounds and pounds of undergarments would have sank her too, I don't know. But she watched her husband die cruelly.

    She said that for weeks she could not even open her mouth except to say, "Why?"

    Then she decided that if she couldn't speak that she would write a poem. She decided to praise God even though she was suffering more than she could bear.

    Here is her poem.

    "'Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus.
    Just to take Him at His word.
    Just to rest upon His promise.
    Just to know 'Thus saith the Lord'.

    I'm so glad I learned to trust Him.
    Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend.
    And I know that Thou art with me.
    Wilt be with me to the end.

    Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus
    How I trust Him o'er and o'er.
    Jesus, Jesus, Precious Jesus.
    O for grace to trust Him more."

    As I said earlier, join the club.

    All I can tell you is to re-read my first post and if you truly feel that you are not DOING the right thing, then choose one of the things on my list to DO.

    But the best thing to DO is trust His word.

    His word says that He loves you more than you know and always will.

    His word says that He will provide a way of escape from temptation.

    His word says that He will is to have a wonderful relationship with you.

    His word says that the devil will try everything he can do to make you miserable and ineffective.

    His word says that the devil is a loser.

    His word says that God wants to redeem you and make you whole and refresh you.

    Do as the lady who in the midst of her misery did.

    Praise Him and trust that very same Word.

    Peace-
    Scarlett O.
    &lt;&gt;&lt;
     
    #11 Scarlett O., May 6, 2006
  12. Kilad

    Kilad New Member

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    God gave us an instruction manual but you know how people are with reading the instructions.

    Or people read the instructions and they don't understand what they are reading.

    The struggle is harder when we don't read and understand the instructions. There will always be a battle but with the right weapons we have the advantage in that battle.
     
    #12 Kilad, May 6, 2006
  13. SpiritualMadMan

    SpiritualMadMan New Member

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    While one can't help but count failure in the falling...

    It is a bigger failure not to get back up and try again...

    If I may say so?

    It is the falling and giving up that is the problem...

    When we fall and confess that we have fallen He remains faithful to forgive us...

    Yes, we get *very* disappointed in ourselves...

    Yes, I am sure there are times God sighs over us...

    But, there are times I am sure He also laughs with us when we've been particularly blundersome...

    If the sin is a 'besetting' sin...

    That is, one that you really don't want to do but for whatever reason you are particularly prone to repeat...

    He covers that...

    If on the other hand you plan to commit the sin in advance...

    Then that gets a bit more 'hairy'

    Here's a favorite Armenian verse. [​IMG]

    Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

    The Armenian will say that 'no sacrifice' means you lose your salvation...

    But, *this* Armenian doesn't think that's quite right...

    While I do believe in the theoretical possibility one a person losing their salvation I don't believe it is easy at all to do so... (Another Thread)

    So, re-examining the "No Sacrifice", I believe it could mean that you will reap the physiological results of the sin...

    As in...

    Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out.

    And, does not have to mean loss of salvation...

    If you have a besetting sin... As an added incentive to overcoming it, think about all the ways The Holy Spirit could potentially expose that sin to the whole church... [​IMG]

    I mean if you won't ask for the Holy Spirit's help... Maybe you'll accept the churches help?

    Or, if it's a sin of the flesh... Perhaps God has maintained a barrier against STD's... And, if He were to lift that barrier?

    I am just theorizing... :D

    Or, how would you feel if your spouse 'accidently' happened upon some of those old photos you've collected from the internet?

    Again, completely hypothetical...

    Are, let's say you're in business and have a bad habit of wiggling out of deals using the letter of the contract instead of your "implied given word"?

    Suddenly, *you* get taken by a better "deciever" and have to suffer the consequences of your actions...

    Again... Remember two Scriptures:

    Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

    Notice, please that Paul alludes to God taking matters into His Own Hands to settle scores...

    -and-

    1 Peter 4:17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God?

    The goal of God's Judgement is Discipline not to destroy you...

    1 Corinthians 11:32 When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

    I don't want to get into the Armenian conotations here. [​IMG]

    Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.

    Revelations 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

    So, to the question of can a Christian commit habitual sins...

    The answer is Yes...

    The result of such sins, though, is totally dependent upon the attitude of the heart of the person caught in a sin...

    It is decidedly not something a believer uses as an excuse...

    And, it is never something to be condoned as 'just one of those things'...

    Mike Sr.
     
    #13 SpiritualMadMan, May 6, 2006
  14. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I agree with you, Mike. (I think.) [​IMG]

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
    1John 1:9

    Jesus died on the cross to forgive us our sins, however, He may not always remove the 'consequences' of that sin and sometimes it is even death (i.e. in the case of a convicted murderer).

    For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
    Romans 6:23

    Sometimes we have to confess sin by the minute, but God is there to forgive us, and he DOES look on our hearts and knows our motives. He also knows if we are really trying to change or just giving Him lip service.

    "That's just the way I am.", is not a valid excuse for not conquering our besetting sins.
     
    #14 I Am Blessed 24, May 6, 2006
  15. SpiritualMadMan

    SpiritualMadMan New Member

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    Sue, yes.. I do think we are in agreement...

    Even, if I don't speak "Baptist" :D

    What you said... [​IMG]
     
    #15 SpiritualMadMan, May 6, 2006
  16. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    I thought everyone in the church was going to 'fall out' Easter Sunday.

    We were singing "Christ Arose" and I lifted my hands in the air and shouted, "Glory". [​IMG]
     
    #16 I Am Blessed 24, May 6, 2006
  17. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    But I have had times and right now I'm almost experiencing the same where I felt bad and got so angry at God. I got so many thoughts and I didn't even know wether this is me or not. I thought God doesn't love me and care about me and I couldn't defend myself against these thoughts and there were times where I was suffering and then I sinned on purpose as if I could somehow pay God back because I suffered. I know that this was stupid but what if this is what this verse talks about? What if this cannot be forgiven?
    Or what if I only ask God to forgive me because I'm scared of being punished otherwise? What if I would not apologize if I had more courage? It's not easy to ask God for forgiveness on such days where I have these thoughts that God doesn't love me because nothing works and then I get depressed and end up sinning and then I have to ask God to forgive me while still having the same thoughts that God isn't there for me. This is really not easy. :(
     
    #17 xdisciplex, May 6, 2006
  18. rbell

    rbell Active Member

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    xdisciplex,

    You're going to "what if" yourself to death. You keep coming back to the same issues and getting worked up when your feelings take over.

    Take God at His word. The facts He gives supercedes the feelings you have.
     
    #18 rbell, May 6, 2006
  19. xdisciplex

    xdisciplex New Member

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    But how shall I know that God is on my side? What if I have done too many things wrong and now he's done with me? How shall I know wether he's on my side or not when nothing works?
     
    #19 xdisciplex, May 6, 2006
  20. I Am Blessed 24

    I Am Blessed 24 Active Member

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    When you get angry at God, tell Him. When you have doubts about His love, tell Him. He is waiting for you to 'get down' and 'get honest' with Him so He can help you.

    If you still are concerned about God's forgiveness, then you have NOT committed the unpardonable sin.

    If you had, you wouldn't care anymore.

    The blood of Jesus cleanses us from ALL our sins.

    Otherwise, His sacrifice would be in vain.

    If you think some sins are forgiven and some not, then you are making His blood ineffectual.

    Either the blood cleanses from ALL sins or NO sins.

    We can't have it both ways...

    It sounds like you are under conviction, my friend.

    You can know that God is with you if you are His child because He said, Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
    Hebrews 13:5
     
    #20 I Am Blessed 24, May 6, 2006
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