I actually think Winman's answer is better. I have heard this answer before, but I don't buy it...it sounds like I have this perfectly sinless spirit that happens to be stuck inside a sinful body that makes me sin, as if the body is somehow evil. This kind of thinking (in more extreme forms than yours) has led people to do harmful things to their body trying to purge out the sin.
I believe our bodies are decaying, yes, and affected by sin, yes...but I think sin comes from the immaterial part of us...(because again...angels sinned without flesh).
Thank you 12 Strings, I appreciate your honest answer.
It is obvious that sin is a choice. Some angels chose to follow Satan in his rebellion, while others chose to be faithful to God.
I think it is important to remember that anyone who goes to heaven has already chosen God in this life. We have already made that decision the good angels made. In heaven we will not be subjected to continuous temptations as we are here in this world, and we will not have corruptible bodies that are weak.
The scriptures describe our infirmities, they say the flesh is weak.
Mat 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation:
the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
It is very important to remember that Jesus said the spirit was willing well before the disciples received the Holy Spirit. So, he is speaking of them as natural men here, men of the flesh.
Compare this to Romans 8:9 and the end of Romans 7. I happen to believe Paul was speaking of himself from the perspective of a lost man in Romans 7, he had earlier said he was alive without the law once, but when the commandment came he died. He also said he was "sold under sin". A Christian has died to sin and is no longer under it's dominion or possession. It is like ancient slaves, we once belonged to sin, but Jesus has bought us with his blood.
This story is easy for anyone to relate to, Jesus had commanded his disciples to pray with him, but they kept falling asleep. It is almost impossible to stay awake all night and pray, everyone can relate to how drowsy a person can become, or at least I can. :tongue3:
So, the body does exert a powerful force upon our wills. As a child we learn early to satisfy our bodily cravings and desires, and this is only reinforced by obeying sin throughout life. The scriptures say we have become "accustomed" to sin, that is, we have learned to sin. Old habits are hard to break.
Nevertheless, sin is shown as a choice. It is a decision of the will.
It is a pleasure to debate with you 12 Strings, you are interested in truth.
