Why can’t I Stop Sinning? | GotQuestions.org
The video of this post is from the YouTube site, Got Questions Ministries
Video-page Link: https://www.youtube.com/@gotquestions/videos
The video of this post provides great insight into the biggest problem a Christian has, the sin problem. It is stated from the perspective of the biblical Christian, one who is working to understand scripture and to follow Christ.
It provides useful insight into resting in Christ. Those words are easy to say but very difficult to comprehend in an experiential manner.
Highlights [bracketed statements, underscoring and emboldening are mine]:
- Every believer has at some point lamented his/her inability to stop sinning
- We typically see this problem as personal weakness
- But it usually indicates a deficiency in an understanding of God’s strength
- That is, when we do not understand His power to save, forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness, we get caught in a destructive cycle of sin, guilt and fear
- Such a cycle leads to lack of joy in our salvation
- Lack of joy leads to more sin
- Psalm 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit
- King David wrote that after having fallen into the grievous sins of adultery and murder
- Joy is key in our victory over sin
- It is also important to know that God sustains us with a willing spirit
- He takes joy in saving us and we joy in that
- He displays His grace, love and strength in saving us
- Our salvation is NOT dependent upon our performance
- Our salvation is a product of God’s grace, love and purpose
- Ironically, believing that we are responsible to keep the law, leads to the inability to stop sinning, as in Romans 7:7-10
- The apostle Paul explained therein that, when we understand “do not covet” our sin nature rebels against that law and we covet
- This is how we are
- [This fact nullifies all religions that teach works salvation. I have heard John MacArthur say that Christianity only teaches salvation by faith, all others teach salvation by works; it also seems true that many Christians operate under the principles of works salvation]
- The law of God aggravates our sin nature
- Pastor Nelson gave an illustration from John Bunyan’s book, The Pilgrim’s Progress beginning at the 2 minute 15 second mark of this video, see video
- [Anyone who has read through the Bible should read Bunyan’s book, as it provides deep insights into the Christian walk of faith; the perils; the byways; challenges; fears…]
- So, the way to stop sinning is NOT to add more rules
- God gave the law to show us our sin so we would [come to perceive our helplessness and] turn to Christ
- [Paul makes those points in Romans 3 and 8, in particular]
- Matthew 5:17 “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them
- So, when we disagree with God [and don’t believe what He has done for us] and believe we must fulfill the law, we lose our joy in salvation
- We then set ourselves up for failure, laboring under a terrible burden, believing that we must DO something to secure salvation
- [Although I have known this in a general sense, and can recognize it in other religions, it occurs on many levels and I have found it operating in my life. I am wondering if I will ever shake it off entirely and learn how to submit to Christ and completely depend upon Him]
- However, our sin nature prohibits us doing anything for salvation
- That is, the more we focus on the law, the more our sin nature rebels [causing us to sin], the more we become frightened that we are not saved
- The more frightened and joyless we become, the more tempting sin’s promises become
- The only way to break out of the above cycle is to accept the fact that you cannot stop sinning
- This does seem contradictory, but one must disengage from the cycle of trying to save himself and believe that God has saved him
- The joy of salvation comes from accepting the fact that God’s grace covers us; that He will change us; that He will conform us to the image of Christ; and that these things are His work, not ours
- Once this reality is truly grasped, sin loses its power
- We no longer feel the impulse to turn to sin for temporary relief from anxiety, because the anxiety has been relieved once for all by Christ:
- Hebrews 10:10 And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all …14 For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified
- Then the good works we accomplish in faith are done because of love and joy rather than out of fear or duty
- 1 Corinthians 15:56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 58 Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain
The above statements are from the perspective of the biblical Christian.
END OF VIDEO POINTS
If you have not experienced the struggle noted above, then you may not be born again or you may have learned to redefine sin or to creatively interpret scripture. Many churches are doing that currently, especially regarding LGBTQ and Cultural Marxism.
Narrative and links that accompanied video at YouTube:
Aug 9, 2024
Is there a way to break the cycle of sinning? Is it possible to not sin? In this video, Pastor Nelson answers your question: Why can’t I stop sinning?
*** Source Article: https://www.gotquestions.org/stop-sin…
*** Check out, Bible Munch! @BibleMunch / biblemunch
*** Recent Bible Munch Videos: James 1:2-4 – How to Face Trials in Life & Find Joy • How to Face Trials in Life & Find Joy…
John 4:24 – Is there a wrong way to worship? • Is there a wrong way to worship? | …
Philippians 4:13 – What this misused verse really means. • Philippians 4:13 – The Meaning of the…
*** Recommended Book: Something Needs to Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need By: David Platt https://bit.ly/4626aX5
*** Related Questions: What does it mean to be free from sin? https://www.gotquestions.org/free-fro…
How can I learn to hate my own sin? https://www.gotquestions.org/hate-my-…
What does it mean to be a slave to sin? https://www.gotquestions.org/slave-to…