IS WORRYING A SIN?

[jgarden_47]

Luke 12:22-31 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
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Christ was quite explicit that Christians should not waste their lives in worry. Instead, Christians should be seeking God's kingdom and not the things of this world. If it is the pagans that concern themselves with worldly things, then is worrying considered a sin?

 

[Free]

It certainly is something that Christians shouldn't do, but I don't think worrying is a sin as much as it is a sign that one is lacking trust in God.

 

[Orthodoxy]

Luke 12:22-31 (New International Version)

Do Not Worry

22Then Jesus said to his disciples: "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23Life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. 24Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! 25Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life[a]? 26Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

27"Consider how the lilies grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 28If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you, O you of little faith! 29And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. 30For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.
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Christ was quite explicit that Christians should not waste their lives in worry. Instead, Christians should be seeking God's kingdom and not the things of this world. If it is the pagans that concern themselves with worldly things, then is worrying considered a sin?

Yes. Not trusting God is a sin because that which is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23.

 

[Klee shay]

Christ said these things to his disciples because he knew it was in man's nature to worry. So it was important he made them aware that worrying is futile to the end result, rather than we should not worry at all.

"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life," and then he went on to explain why worry was futile when God provides our needs.

Worrying is part of our nature. Christ told us there was a better way to focus, rather than on the "have nots". Again, his grace is enough to remind us when we need reminding. We will all fall short of the mark.