johnthebaptist Posted September 8, 2019 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.32 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Share Posted September 8, 2019 I find life goes a lot better when I resist the temptation to sin, yet when I mention it, there are always people who say, “It can’t be done! It can’t be done!” Am I supposed to disbelieve my own experiences? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Homer Les Posted September 8, 2019 Group: Members Followers: 1 Topic Count: 1 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 8 Content Per Day: 0.00 Reputation: 28 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/19/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted September 8, 2019 I wouldn't that's for sure. Experience is my best teacher and I have found it far more informed than someone else's opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnOrangeCat Posted September 8, 2019 Group: Diamond Member Followers: 5 Topic Count: 57 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 1,397 Content Per Day: 0.27 Reputation: 1,817 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/24/2009 Status: Online Share Posted September 8, 2019 Through Christ all things are possible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john1 Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Senior Member Followers: 4 Topic Count: 41 Topics Per Day: 0.02 Content Count: 686 Content Per Day: 0.30 Reputation: 221 Days Won: 0 Joined: 12/16/2017 Status: Offline Share Posted September 9, 2019 3 hours ago, johnthebaptist said: Am I supposed to disbelieve my own experiences? I only know my experiences. 1 John chapter 1 verse 8 If anyone claims to be without sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not in them. James chapter 2 verse 10 If anyone keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8 Love covers a great many sins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.32 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 12 minutes ago, john1 said: I only know my experiences. 1 John chapter 1 verse 8 If anyone claims to be without sin they deceive themselves and the truth is not in them. James chapter 2 verse 10 If anyone keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 1 Peter chapter 4 verse 8 Love covers a great many sins. We've all sinned, but the Lord commanded us to repent (Matthew 4:17). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Justified Sinner Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Members Followers: 0 Topic Count: 1 Topics Per Day: 0.00 Content Count: 25 Content Per Day: 0.01 Reputation: 7 Days Won: 0 Joined: 09/05/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted September 9, 2019 Though we will sin till the day we die, we are called to fight sin. Sin is Satan like and not sinning is God like. It seems to be me that things go better when you resist temptation to the best of your abilities and rest in the grace of God when you fail and fall into sin. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sower Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Worthy Ministers Followers: 14 Topic Count: 32 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 5,241 Content Per Day: 0.97 Reputation: 5,842 Days Won: 1 Joined: 07/09/2009 Status: Offline Share Posted September 9, 2019 The root word meaning of 'sin' is an old archery term. To sin, is to 'miss the mark', the target. No archer hits the mark perfect when first starting out in archery. No Christian has great aim when first born of God. There are targets (standards) of God I didn't even know about. But with practice, instruction, and the best instructor, we can improve. God says we all sin (miss some targets). But God also says we can do all things through Christ. "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lftc Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Senior Member Followers: 3 Topic Count: 20 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 536 Content Per Day: 0.31 Reputation: 323 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/16/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted September 9, 2019 15 hours ago, johnthebaptist said: I find life goes a lot better when I resist the temptation to sin, yet when I mention it, there are always people who say, “It can’t be done! It can’t be done!” Am I supposed to disbelieve my own experiences? Fun screen name, johnthebaptist. I truly applaud you for resisting the temptation to sin. And for your concern about other people. Do you think it is possible that the people to whom you refer may have a different definition of sin than that with which you evaulate your own performance? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnthebaptist Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Non-Conformist Theology Followers: 6 Topic Count: 118 Topics Per Day: 0.06 Content Count: 4,361 Content Per Day: 2.32 Reputation: 2,109 Days Won: 0 Joined: 02/25/2019 Status: Offline Birthday: 02/03/1953 Author Share Posted September 9, 2019 5 minutes ago, lftc said: Fun screen name, johnthebaptist. I truly applaud you for resisting the temptation to sin. And for your concern about other people. Do you think it is possible that the people to whom you refer may have a different definition of sin than that with which you evaulate your own performance? Thanks. When you come right down to it, there are probably lots of definitions of sin. Some people might think if you look cross-eyed at your telephone, you have sinned. For me, sin is when you break a commandment. But then you have to define “commandment.” Jesus somewhat did define sin, I think, when he remarked, "You know the commandments (Luke 18:20)," and listed several of the Ten Commandments. I believe the Lord teaches us what sin is as we walk with him: But this is the covenant which I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put my law within them, and I will write it upon their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Jer 31:33 RSV I believe unchastity, insobriety, and pride are sins. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Repose Posted September 9, 2019 Group: Advanced Member Followers: 1 Topic Count: 9 Topics Per Day: 0.01 Content Count: 205 Content Per Day: 0.12 Reputation: 231 Days Won: 0 Joined: 08/06/2019 Status: Offline Share Posted September 9, 2019 I think it's a misunderstanding. Perhaps they think you fight sin without relying on God. If anyone attempts to use their own strength and their own willpower to fight sin, it will be a one-sided, losing battle. It's almost like telling an angry person to calm down; that just makes them more upset. Say I find myself getting angry. Instead of clutching my fists and repeating in my head, "calm down, calm down," I might instead excuse myself. This is to seperate myself from the source of the anger. Then I'll go off on my own and pray within, apologizing for my anger and asking for a more calm, collected mind upon my return. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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