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Post by Tabitha3319 on Feb 1, 2021 20:14:26 GMT -5
Let me be clear. If there is a state where you stop sinning, that is a state I want to reach.
Do you think this is a biblical requirement?
If so, what is the best way to reach this state?
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Feb 2, 2021 9:26:24 GMT -5
There is much debate on this topic. The Bible of course tells us to stop sinning, but the question is how much sinfulness can any mere mortal overcome, for how long, and without pride or self-righteousness replacing it. The thing about a virtue is that, quite often, the moment you realize you have it, you become self-conscious of it, and then you start to idolize your own piety. If this condition persists, it leads people full-circle to where they actually do bad things "for the good of others" and justify it because "I don't have a prideful bone in my body." That's what happened to the Pharisees.
Even when Christians start out with genuine conviction from the Holy Spirit, we can easily fall into this trap. All it takes is one self-satisfying thought of "I'm a good person" and the poison sets in.
As for resisting sin, this is also why the Bible tells us to rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome sin. Yes we should use our human facilities to resist temptation. BUT if we abolish all our sins through sheer willpower of the flesh, and we're not getting filled up with spiritual maturity, then we again have fallen into the Pharisee trap. Relying on ourselves to be our own agents of sinlessness. That condition won't last long. The devil knows how to catch you when you're tired, or distracted, or deceived, or down on your luck, and when your willpower is weak, you stumble. No amount of human willpower can outsmart a supernatural chess game.
The best policy is to resist immediate temptation of the flesh, pray for the Holy Spirit to deliver you from that sin long-term, HIDE your virtues in the secret place of spirit, ask that you not be made aware of them, DON'T sit around calculating your balance in the virtue column, and beg the Lord every morning to keep you free of guilt for one more day.
If you ponder these things, you'll begin to understand what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 4:3 about why he didn't try to size up his own righteousness.
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Post by frienduff on Feb 2, 2021 9:32:05 GMT -5
Cling to the Lord dear sister . We must be diligent in our walk . Let us be reading more , praying more , doing the things pleasing IN His sight . Always heed the Spirit and As paul once reminded the church , let iniquity not be once named among you as becometh saints . Pray one for another that none do enter into temptation . One thing about those letters , they always reminded so clear . Right to the point . Let us , therefore , all keep that same approach on all things . And be praying for one another .
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PG4Him
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Post by PG4Him on Feb 2, 2021 10:11:12 GMT -5
This reminds me of a funny story I heard from a preacher. After serving the Lord for many years, he had memorized large sections of the Bible, and he'd mortified every 'sin' he could think of. He thought there wasn't much left to crucify in his flesh. So one day while in worship, he flippantly said, "Lord if there remains in me any unpleasing thing, just go right ahead and tell me." The Lord told him to get a pen and paper. An hour later, he sat there staring at a long list of annoying qualities about himself he hadn't noticed. Be careful what you pray for!!!
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Post by watchful on Feb 2, 2021 14:43:43 GMT -5
Let me be clear. If there is a state where you stop sinning, that is a state I want to reach. Do you think this is a biblical requirement? If so, what is the best way to reach this state? To my understanding, it's not that the Lord requires sinless perfection, as that He is looking for us to have a perfect heart towards Him....wholehearted, single-mindedness in following Him in sincerity and fear.....running the race so as to win it. If that is our heart attitude we are not going to sin wilfully, and if we inadvertently sin we are going to be remorseful pretty quick. Some scriptures that indicate how the Lord is working in our lives to sanctify us: Heb 5:8-9 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; 1Pe 4:1-2 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; That he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God. Rom 8:17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. 1Ti 2:12 If we suffer, we shall also reign with him Mat 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. So it seems pretty clear that there is an ongoing work of sanctification that the Lord is undertaking in His children, as we follow Him. Coming to faith in Christ is just the beginning of the journey. Blessed are you who hunger and thirst after righteousness for you will be filled. 2Co 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Psa 138:8 The LORD will perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O LORD, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God Phl 1:6 For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.
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Post by watchful on Feb 2, 2021 14:58:58 GMT -5
There is much debate on this topic. The Bible of course tells us to stop sinning, but the question is how much sinfulness can any mere mortal overcome, for how long, and without pride or self-righteousness replacing it. The thing about a virtue is that, quite often, the moment you realize you have it, you become self-conscious of it, and then you start to idolize your own piety. If this condition persists, it leads people full-circle to where they actually do bad things "for the good of others" and justify it because "I don't have a prideful bone in my body." That's what happened to the Pharisees. Even when Christians start out with genuine conviction from the Holy Spirit, we can easily fall into this trap. All it takes is one self-satisfying thought of "I'm a good person" and the poison sets in. As for resisting sin, this is also why the Bible tells us to rely on the Holy Spirit to overcome sin. Yes we should use our human facilities to resist temptation. BUT if we abolish all our sins through sheer willpower of the flesh, and we're not getting filled up with spiritual maturity, then we again have fallen into the Pharisee trap. Relying on ourselves to be our own agents of sinlessness. That condition won't last long. The devil knows how to catch you when you're tired, or distracted, or deceived, or down on your luck, and when your willpower is weak, you stumble. No amount of human willpower can outsmart a supernatural chess game. The best policy is to resist immediate temptation of the flesh, pray for the Holy Spirit to deliver you from that sin long-term, HIDE your virtues in the secret place of spirit, ask that you not be made aware of them, DON'T sit around calculating your balance in the virtue column, and beg the Lord every morning to keep you free of guilt for one more day. If you ponder these things, you'll begin to understand what Paul meant in 1 Corinthians 4:3 about why he didn't try to size up his own righteousness. Amen. This is the problem the Lord often has in dealing with us perverse and impossible little creatures. His wonderful wisdom is shown in this verse that speaks to what you are saying here: Deu 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee. (beasts of self-righteousness, pride, superiority, etc.) The Lord could snap His fingers and sanctify us in an instant, but we will be much less inclined to congratulate ourselves at the other end of the wringer when we have had to go through the waters and the fire, losing more of our nasty flesh in order to obtain more of His lovely righteousness. It's in going through the process that we truly start to realize we have nothing of our own and that there is good reason why we will lay our crowns at His feet.
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Post by watchful on Feb 2, 2021 15:03:28 GMT -5
This reminds me of a funny story I heard from a preacher. After serving the Lord for many years, he had memorized large sections of the Bible, and he'd mortified every 'sin' he could think of. He thought there wasn't much left to crucify in his flesh. So one day while in worship, he flippantly said, "Lord if there remains in me any unpleasing thing, just go right ahead and tell me." The Lord told him to get a pen and paper. An hour later, he sat there staring at a long list of annoying qualities about himself he hadn't noticed. Be careful what you pray for!!! I heard someone say once that it bothers our pride when we sin and are not perfect. I had to admit there was something to that, lol.
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