Repentance (turning from our sin)

[Danus]

If perfection wasn’t possible in this lifetime, why did Jesus bring it up? Jeremiah 31:33 says the Lord will write a law on our hearts. The Lord has written some things on my heart over the years.

Salvation is the matter of the Lord saving us from our mistakes, I believe. We can all be saved (John 3:16).

Heaven is how we feel after we turn from our sin.

I'll have to leave you with that to untangle. Not sure where to start from what you wrote, but I think you might want to explore it a little more.

But, I'll leave you with this. Salvation is God saving us from eternal condemnation due to our sinfulness. It does not save us from mistakes or trouble here on earth or from the judgment we will all face. We can accept or deny our salvation. Our efforts to keep it has nothing to do with us, and our efforts to "be or retain" salvation is a joke. Haven is a real place where the saved reside with God forever. The saved are those who accept Christ. I know that seems too simple and I fully understand the rejection of it.

 

[elijah23]

I'll have to leave you with that to untangle. Not sure where to start from what you wrote, but I think you might want to explore it a little more.

But, I'll leave you with this. Salvation is God saving us from eternal condemnation due to our sinfulness. It does not save us from mistakes or trouble here on earth or from the judgment we will all face. We can accept or deny our salvation. Our efforts to keep it has nothing to do with us, and our efforts to "be or retain" salvation is a joke. Haven is a real place where the saved reside with God forever. The saved are those who accept Christ. I know that seems too simple and I fully understand the rejection of it.

Heaven is the absence of suffering, obtained through the repentance of (turning away from) sin,
I believe. Suffering is real. That is why Jesus said this:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17 RSV

The resurrection is a real place. I believe.

 

[Nathan]

If perfection wasn’t possible in this lifetime, why did Jesus bring it up? Jeremiah 31:33 says the Lord will write a law on our hearts. The Lord has written some things on my heart over the years.

Salvation is the matter of the Lord saving us from our mistakes, I believe. We can all be saved (John 3:16).

Heaven is how we feel after we turn from our sin.

Perfection is possible. It just depends on how you are looking at it. From God's perspective? From your perspective? Or from the Law's perspective?

Your perspective is greatly messed up because you believe what you want to believe. Sometimes we feel good about ourselves, some times we feel bad.

The Law's perspective is rock solid. There is no way you are going to EVER be able to do what it says.

God's perspective, well...what we know of it at least, is that there is nothing you will EVER do[the Law] to be perfect, but when seen through the lens of Jesus blood, we are perfect. If you step out of that lens, and I am not sure why you would, but if you do then perfection cannot be attainable.

 

[Nathan]

Are you suggesting being a Christian means you have already turned from your sin?

How many Christians still haven’t repented of their unchastity, pride, insobriety, and other things, though?

Yes, by Biblical definitions, Christians "followers of Christ", have repented of their sins.

You cannot be a Christian and hold on to sin. Read 1 John.

 

[smaller]

That's the trouble with 'sin.' We cannot say we have NO SIN and be simultaneously 'IN TRUTH.'

Many (I believe falsely believe) that we can achieve the state of sinless perfection while in this present life. I do not believe this is either presented in the text or even possible.

So, the next step many believers take is sinless perfection by 'attribution' or 'conveyance' or 'substitution' or some other 'words' meaning that their sinless righteousness is of Jesus Christ and not of them, and to that I will give a nod of truth providing however that does NOT explain whey they still HAVE SIN and SIN. That attribution theory was never meant to encompass EVIL or SIN as any way being 'justified' by Christ or those 'works' simply ignored because they believe. Even Paul taught that God is not mocked and that whatever a man sows, that shall HE REAP, meanings intended on BOTH SIDES of the ledgers, reaping to the GOOD or to the BAD.

There is a large lesson to be learned in matters of TRUTH. To be 'in Truth' one has to be TRUTHFUL about 'sin.' The fact is that we HAVE IT and DO IT and that we do reap BAD and EVIL because of SIN. SIN may 'lessen' over the times of the lessons learned, but even in non-external 'activity' a SIN IN THOUGHT is STILL SIN as Jesus taught us in the lesson on LUST THOUGHTS being ADULTERY IN HEART.

Not interested in deceiving myself about these matters I have concluded that SATAN never stops inserting SIN THOUGHTS into believers MINDS and all the REPENTANCE in the world will not STOP that from happening one way or another.

When one recognizes they CARRY that working within their minds that is NOT THEM the battle becomes theoretically lessened when we see that it is NOT US as Gods children doing that working IN OUR MINDS, which if not 'checked' therein eventually ENSLAVES us into SINS EXTERNAL ACTIONS.

Sin is a progression through THOUGHT then WORD and eventually DEED. It's ALL SIN in any case of measures.

We TURN or CHANGE or REPENT when we realize it's NOT JUST US, but that there is A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENTITY involved with EVERY SIN, and that is THE DEVIL:

1 John 3:8
He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Understanding that ALL of our sin is directly connected to THE DEVIL I have found no logical way to avoid the conclusion that the DEVIL is involved WITH US in these actions, either within or without. We have no way to measure 'other people' within, except to say that 'more than likely' they too ALSO and ALL have SIN THOUGHTS, believer or unbeliever and therefore their sin also is DEMONICALLY induced.

Paul made an interesting discovery for himself in these matters. He found that the SIN INDWELLING himself was NO LONGER I, stated twice in Romans 7:17-20. It would appear then that Paul GOT THE CONNECTION fact that John speaks of above. That his own indwelling SIN was no different than anyone else's in being CONNECTED to the DEVIL. Paul also then discovered a very important LAW...that EVIL was present with him when he desired to do good. Paul even went so far as to disclose that he HAD A DEVIL, a MESSENGER OF SATAN that was put upon himself in 2 Corinthians 12:7.

The scriptural evidence of this connection of THE DEVIL to SIN is rather clear to me. And I don't think any of us can stop THE DEVIL from doing what he does. The devils will is not 'our' will. We do however benefit in knowing that working is NOT US when it DOES happen. And if we cannot discern ourself from that working, then that working has in fact DECEIVED and BLINDED us.

We have AN ADVOCATE in the matters of SIN. The devil however does not. The SAME WORD that forgives US will condemn the devils.

enjoy!

smaller

 

[RichardBurger]

True Repentance:

I believe that repentance is necessary for the child of God. But that repentance is not a ritual that is done when they think they have sinned. I believe in a repentant attitude, an attitude of continually acknowledging, to God, that the sins of the flesh are always present in the mind.

Having said the above I must state that, to some, repentance seems to means that they perform a ritual of repentance. I do not believe that knowing you have committed a sin and then pulling down your get out of sin repentance card is true repentance. It ignores the fact that they sin in their minds all the time.

In this article I have said what I believe true repentance to be. Some seen to have a different opinion and they are welcome to it. But that does not mean I have to share their opinion OR that they have to share mine.

IMHO (In my honest opinion), to the religious mind, repenting of sins is something that a person does, at some time or other, to ask for forgiveness for a sin they think they have committed. I say it this way because, for them, they must pick a time and go to God in a prayer of words and ask for forgiveness for that sin. They do it only when they think they have done something wrong. For the rest of their time they rationalize that they do not sin and therefore do not have to repent.

True repentance "IS" a "CONSTANT ATTITUDE" of the heart and is not an action that is done at some place or time. --- It is constantly acknowledging (admitting to God) that you are a sinful person in the flesh and that you need His forgiveness, the need for God, who paid for your sins, to save you from your sinful nature in the flesh. -- It is a constant humble walk with God (the Holy Spirit that lives in your heart) in honesty, without deceit. -- To be exact it is and attitude of the heart and it is not a ritual that you do at some place or time.

1. A repenting; penitent state; feeling of sorrow, etc. especially for wrongdoing; compunction, contrition; remorse. A child of God feels remorseful that he/she sins but since they live in a body of sinful flesh there is no way they can stop from sinning in the flesh. Paul couldn’t in Romans 7 and neither can we.

Ps 32:1-2
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
(NKJ)

Deceit = dishonesty / a person saying they have no sin is being dishonest (deceitful) with God. Therefore having a constant honest attitude of acknowledging your sinful nature to God and placing your faith, trust, confidence, and hope in God's work on the cross to save you from your sinful nature is true repentance. A person that does not acknowledge his/her sins (sinful nature) is being dishonest with God and will feel no need to have an constant attitude of repentance. IMHO they are like the Pharisee below.

Luke 18:11-14
11 "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men-- extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector.
12 'I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.'
13 "And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!'
14 "I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted."
(NKJ)

The tax collector was repenting, he was sorrowful, contrite, remorseful, because of his sinfulness. But that does not mean he stopped being a sinful person or a tax collector.

 

[elijah23]

Perfection is possible. It just depends on how you are looking at it. From God's perspective? From your perspective? Or from the Law's perspective?

Your perspective is greatly messed up because you believe what you want to believe. Sometimes we feel good about ourselves, some times we feel bad.

The Law's perspective is rock solid. There is no way you are going to EVER be able to do what it says.

God's perspective, well...what we know of it at least, is that there is nothing you will EVER do[the Law] to be perfect, but when seen through the lens of Jesus blood, we are perfect. If you step out of that lens, and I am not sure why you would, but if you do then perfection cannot be attainable.

When Jesus told us we needed to be perfect, I think he meant we need to repent of (turn from) our sin:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17 RSV

 

[elijah23]

Yes, by Biblical definitions, Christians "followers of Christ", have repented of their sins.

You cannot be a Christian and hold on to sin. Read 1 John.

There are a lot of people who call themselves Christians who commit the sin of adultery, I believe.

I would also say there are a lot of people who call themselves Christians who commit the sin of pride.

 

[elijah23]

That's the trouble with 'sin.' We cannot say we have NO SIN and be simultaneously 'IN TRUTH.'

Many (I believe falsely believe) that we can achieve the state of sinless perfection while in this present life. I do not believe this is either presented in the text or even possible.

We have all sinned.

The Lord came into my life and told me to stop being lustful. I complied.
The Lord told me to give up alcohol. I complied.
The Lord told me to give up tobacco. I complied.

One by one we can turn from our sins and eventually we will be perfect, as the Lord commanded us to be.

 

[smaller]

We have all sinned.

The Lord came into my life and told me to stop being lustful. I complied.
The Lord told me to give up alcohol. I complied.
The Lord told me to give up tobacco. I complied.

One by one we can turn from our sins and eventually we will be perfect, as the Lord commanded us to be.

And I will honestly say that the devil has never stopped inserting sin thoughts in my own mind, and thusly sinning by that action IN me.

I do also understand that 'those thoughts' are not 'my thoughts' and I am not interested in being a slave of that working any further than it INTRUDES upon me and it DOES intrude.

Make of that what you will.

s

 

[elijah23]

True Repentance:

I believe that repentance is necessary for the child of God. But that repentance is not a ritual that is done when they think they have sinned. I believe in a repentant attitude, an attitude of continually acknowledging, to God, that the sins of the flesh are always present in the mind.

True repentance, I believe, means we have to do the Lord’s will.

It isn’t good enough to WANT to do the Lord’s will. We actually have to do it.

It isn’t good enough for me to be sorry I was lustful. I have to stop BEING lustful.

 

[elijah23]

And I will honestly say that the devil has never stopped inserting sin thoughts in my own mind, and thusly sinning by that action IN me.

I do also understand that 'those thoughts' are not 'my thoughts' and I am not interested in being a slave of that working any further than it INTRUDES upon me and it DOES intrude.

Make of that what you will.

s

We must ignore sinful thoughts that come into our minds.

I have not overcome sinful thoughts completely, but sinful thoughts lead us to sin. We have to overcome them.

 

[watchman F]

I think there is a certain level of righteousness we need to reach. I do not think it is impossible:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

I agree it is not impossible.

Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 17:20 And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

Ephesians 3:20 Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

Jude:24 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,

 

[smaller]

We must ignore sinful thoughts that come into our minds.

I have not overcome sinful thoughts completely, but sinful thoughts lead us to sin. We have to overcome them.

I don't disagree. The fact is however that believers are perhaps even more involved with SIN thoughts because of our exposure to THE LIVING WORD and then SATAN'S IMMEDIATE ATTEMPTS at EVIL INTERVENTIONS in our minds.

I also understand that bringing JUDGMENT to the inside of the cup is a much more difficult matter, particularly when we realize that it is not just us involved and that even by ignoring one does not control a mind that is not theirs alone.

The Apostles warned us all thoroughly about these matters of the will of Satan in relation to our own:

2 Tim:
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; 26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.


Those who 'oppose themselves' are NOT AWARE of the 'other will' and think it only THEMSELF involved.


We all carry that other working in us to our respective crosses for eventual ERADICATION in DIVINE JUDGMENTS when that time arrives, and this is service to God in JUDGMENT to which we all have our roles.

Satan entered Judas. Satan's working in him for example will also serve for the permanent eradication of that working and of SATAN IN THE LAKE OF FIRE.

s

 

[watchman F]

Ah....now we're getting somewhere. However, is Jesus actually telling us to "BE" perfect, or is he setting the standard,

Both

to set the standard, knowing that we are not able to achieve that in this life? There is a reason for this if you agree he is setting the standard.

We in ourselves cannot achive. However per the post above we can through the indweeling of christ and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit achieve everything the scriptures demand of us.

If we are combining the two to say that salvation depends on repentance and repentance and turning from sin means that you have to be perfect............Who can be saved?

This is exactly what the Disciples asked Jesus.....
Matthew 19
25When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
26But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
As I stated, we in ourselves cannot achive. However per the post above we can through the indweeling of christ and through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit achieve everything the scriptures demand of us.[

 

[watchman F]

I know at least one "Christian" who thinks he doesn't need to repent from sin since he is "covered in the blood".

Hmmmm.

I am loathe to bring this up since I know that many do not agree with me on this, but the Bible is clear that final salvation / justification is indeed based on deeds (Romans 2, Romans 8, and elsewhere).

And I suggest that failure to understand the true Biblical picture leads many to think "I'm saved so it does not really matter how I live my life - I'll "try" to be good but my salvation is not at risk".

I do not think either Jesus or Paul would agree with this.

you are dead on Drew

 

[watchman F]

Originally Posted by smaller
That's the trouble with 'sin.' We cannot say we have NO SIN and be simultaneously 'IN TRUTH.'

Many (I believe falsely believe) that we can achieve the state of sinless perfection while in this present life. I do not believe this is either presented in the text or even possible.

Scripture that tells us to live sinless lives
Matthew 5:48 Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Rom 6:20-22
20 For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.
21 What fruit did you have then in the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.
22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life

2 Corinthians 7:1 Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Ephesians 4:17-32
17 This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind,
18 having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart;
19 who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
20 But you have not so learned Christ,
21 if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus:
22 that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
23 and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
24 and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.
Do Not Grieve the Spirit
25 Therefore, putting away lying, “ Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor, for we are members of one another.
26 “Be angry, and do not sin” do not let the sun go down on your wrath,
27 nor give place to the devil.
28 Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need.
29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

Ephesians 5:8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light

1st Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

1st John 2
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1st John 3
8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.


Scriptures that say we are able to live sinlessly
Romans 8
3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh,
4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit

1st Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.

Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil


Jude 24 Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, And to present you faultless, Before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy



Scripture that say we will be sinless when walking in the Spirit.
Romans 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?
2 Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

Galatians 5:16
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness,
20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies,
21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.
24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

1st John 1:7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.



Scriptures that tell us to be humble while pursuing perfection
Phil 3
12 Not that I have already attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
13 Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead,
14 I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

1st Corinthians 9
26 Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.
27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

1st Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

1st Corinthians 15:31 I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily


All thing are possible with God
Matthew 19:26 But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Ephesians 3:20Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,

smaller, I think God's word has just prove your opinion incorrect.

 

[Nathan]

That's the trouble with 'sin.' We cannot say we have NO SIN and be simultaneously 'IN TRUTH.'

Exactly, it is impossible. 1 John 1:8

Many (I believe falsely believe) that we can achieve the state of sinless perfection while in this present life. I do not believe this is either presented in the text or even possible.

Exactly, WE cannot.

So, the next step many believers take is sinless perfection by 'attribution' or 'conveyance' or 'substitution' or some other 'words' meaning that their sinless righteousness is of Jesus Christ and not of them, and to that I will give a nod of truth providing however that does NOT explain whey they still HAVE SIN and SIN. That attribution theory was never meant to encompass EVIL or SIN as any way being 'justified' by Christ or those 'works' simply ignored because they believe. Even Paul taught that God is not mocked and that whatever a man sows, that shall HE REAP, meanings intended on BOTH SIDES of the ledgers, reaping to the GOOD or to the BAD.

Sin is missing the mark. Jesus is the mark. When we aim toward Jesus, His perfection, His righteousness, we hit the mark. When we look away, miss the mark as born again believers, the Spirit guides us too the truth. He does not sit idle and let us just wonder away without a word. Jesus said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". He never leaves us, He is always there to guide us back. He will never forsake us, He is always right there when we submit again to His leadership.

There is a large lesson to be learned in matters of TRUTH. To be 'in Truth' one has to be TRUTHFUL about 'sin.' The fact is that we HAVE IT and DO IT and that we do reap BAD and EVIL because of SIN. SIN may 'lessen' over the times of the lessons learned, but even in non-external 'activity' a SIN IN THOUGHT is STILL SIN as Jesus taught us in the lesson on LUST THOUGHTS being ADULTERY IN HEART.

What purity is is truthfulness. It is being open to everything, not trying to hide.

Not interested in deceiving myself about these matters I have concluded that SATAN never stops inserting SIN THOUGHTS into believers MINDS and all the REPENTANCE in the world will not STOP that from happening one way or another.

Theology might be a little off. Satan is not God. He is a being. He CANNOT be in more than one place at a time. He IS NOT omnipresent.

When one recognizes they CARRY that working within their minds that is NOT THEM the battle becomes theoretically lessened when we see that it is NOT US as Gods children doing that working IN OUR MINDS, which if not 'checked' therein eventually ENSLAVES us into SINS EXTERNAL ACTIONS.

Sin is a progression through THOUGHT then WORD and eventually DEED. It's ALL SIN in any case of measures.

We TURN or CHANGE or REPENT when we realize it's NOT JUST US, but that there is A COMPLETELY DIFFERENT ENTITY involved with EVERY SIN, and that is THE DEVIL:

No, No, No. We repent, turn to God, when we realize that there is NOTHING in and of us that can do ANYTHING to pay for our sins.

 

[watchman F]

And I will honestly say that the devil has never stopped inserting sin thoughts in my own mind, and thusly sinning by that action IN me.

I do also understand that 'those thoughts' are not 'my thoughts' and I am not interested in being a slave of that working any further than it INTRUDES upon me and it DOES intrude.

Make of that what you will.

s

Every sinful though is not sin, it is temptation even jesus was tempted. Thought become sin when they become intentions

 

[Nathan]

When Jesus told us we needed to be perfect, I think he meant we need to repent of (turn from) our sin:

From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt 4:17 RSV

I agree 100%. A person does need to "repent", to turn from their way of thinking, and to turn to God for guidance. I also agree with the other persons post that this is an ongoing thing, its just like being married. You marry someone once, you do not wake up each day and say "hey, lets get married again".