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The Sin Nature

If "we" still commit sin, "we" still have not repented of sin.
This is not true Hopeful.
Why would Jesus give us a way of escape if He knew we would never sin again?

John 20:23
23If you forgive anyone’s sins, their sins are forgiven; if you do not forgive them, they are not forgiven.”


Could you explain why you think Jesus gave the Apostles the above authority?
 
No prob'.

What is your definition of "repent"?
Mine is..."turn from" or "change".
I repented of sin, so, turned from sin.
2 Cor 7:10 says..."For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
Without repentance (from sin) there is no salvation.
And broken repentances are repentances repented of.
Of the world and working death.
H, you stated the correct meaning of REPENT, with which I agree,
and then you changed it...

To repent means to turn and go the other way.
Turn from, as you put it.

Here is the problem, as I see it.
You did NOT repent from sin.
You did not TURN AWAY from sin.

You turned away from the evil one.
When we're born we're lost.
As adults we walk toward satan...we are under the sin nature.
We are slaves to the flesh.
Romans 6:16-18
16Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
17But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance.
18You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.

We decide, at some point, to serve God instead.
So we were walking toward the evil one...
now we turn and walk toward God.
We will no longer be slaves to our flesh, sin nature, concupiesence, but we will be slaves to God.
No where does it state that we will no longer ever sin again...
but that we are walking TOWARD GOD, and if we sin, we pick ourselves up and keep going.
This is why John and Jesus both told us that IF we sin, what we are to do.
I don't remember anyone saying we would never sin again, but that we are to walk by the spirit
and not by the flesh.

Romans 6:14 tells us that sin will not longer REIGN in our bodies,,,it does not tell us that it will be totally erradicated.
14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.

It will no longer be our master...
 
If you're take your eyes off Him, as we so often do, the sin nature will revive.
I think that our best bet is not to make excuses, saying that we are prone to sinning and therefore we cannot help but sin. We ought to keep our eyes on Him; as that is His commandment to us.

Sin is not inevitable for the believer in Christ (Romans 6:14, Romans 8:12 (nlt)).
 
I think that our best bet is not to make excuses, saying that we are prone to sinning and therefore we cannot help but sin. We ought to keep our eyes on Him; as that is His commandment to us.

Sin is not inevitable for the believer in Christ (Romans 6:14, Romans 8:12 (nlt)).
We are NOT PRONE to sinning.

We are prone to sinning BEFORE we are born again.
AFTER we are born again and walking by the spirit, we will NOT be prone to sinning.

This does not mean we will never sin again in our lives.
Saying we do not sin when Jesus made provision for it is being very proudful.

We have a few members here who state they never sin.
This is prideful.
Pride is itself a sin.
It is also boasting.
Boasting is itself a sin.

There are many sins we may not think of at the time we commit them...
but to God they are still sins.
This is also for Hopeful -


Adultery—Matthew 5:27-28, 32; 19:9, 18; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18; Hebrews 13:4; 1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Mark 7:21; John 8:1-11

Anger—Galatians 5:20; Ephesians 4:26, 31; 6:4; Colossians 3:8; James 1:19-20

Anger with one’s brother—Matthew 5:22

Arrogance—2 Timothy 3:2; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Corinthians 4:6, 18,19; 5:2; 8:1; 13:4

Bitterness—Ephesians 4:31; Hebrews 12:15; Romans 2:24; 3:14; Acts 8:23; James 2:7

Blasphemy—Mark 8:38; Acts 18:6

Boasting—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Galatians 5:26; 1 Corinthians 4:7; 5:6

Brutality—2 Timothy 3:3

Brother going to Law against brother—1 Corinthians 6:1-7

Carousing—Romans 13:13; Galatians 5:21; 1 Peter 4:3

Clamor—Ephesians 4:31

Complaining—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:9

Conceit—2 Timothy 3:4

Coveting—Mark 7:22; Ephesians 5:5; Acts 20:33; Romans 13:9; 1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:1

Cowardice—Revelation 21:8

Deceit—Mark 7:22; Acts 13:10; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:10

Defrauding—1 Corinthians 6:7-8

Denying Christ—Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 1 John 2:22-23

Desiring praise of men—John 12:43

Disobedience to parents—Romans 1:30; 2 Timothy 3:2; Titus 3:3

Divisions—1 Corinthians 1:10

Divorce—Matthew 5:32; 19:9; Mark 10:11-12; Luke 16:18

Drinking parties—1 Peter 4:3

Drunkenness—Romans 13:13; 15: 13; Ephesians 5:18; 1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:3

Eating the Bread or drinking the Cup unworthily—1 Corinthians 11:27

Effeminacy—1 Corinthians 6:9

Enmities—Galatians 5:20

Envy—Mark 7:22; Galatians 5:26; Titus 3:3

Evil thoughts—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19

False witnessing—Matthew 15:19

Fathers, provoking children to wrath—Colossians 3:21

Fearfulness—Matthew 10:26, 28

Filthiness—Ephesians 4:3

Fleshliness–1 Corinthians 3:3

Foolishness—Mark 7:22; Titus 3:3

Foolish talking—Ephesians 5:4

Fornication (or sexual immorality)—Mark 7:21; Matthew 15:19; 1 Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19

Greed—Ephesians 4:19; 5:3; 2 Peter 2:14

Lust, lusting—1 Peter 4:3; Titus 3:3

Haters of God—Romans 1:30

Hatred—2 Timothy 3:3; Titus 3:3

Homosexuality—1 Corinthians 6:9; 1 Timothy 1:10; Romans 1:26-27

Hypocrisy—Matthew 23:13,23, 25; 23, 27,28, 29; Mark 12:15; Luke 12:1; Romans 12:9

Idolatry—1 Corinthians 5:11; 6:9; Galatians 5:20; Revelations 21:8; Ephesians 5:5

Immorality (see also Fornication)—Galatians 5:19; Revelation 21:8; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Corinthians 5:9-11; 6:13, 18

Impurity—Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5: 3, 5

Jealousy—Galatians 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; James 3:16

Jesting—Ephesians 5:4

Judging—Matthew 7:1-5; Romans 2:1; 14:13; Luke 6:37 James 4:11

Knowing to do good but not doing it—James 4:17

Laying up treasures on earth—Matthew 6:19-21; 19:21; 1 Timothy 6:9-10; Luke 12:21, 33; 18:22

Legal matters, court–1 Corinthians 6:1-6

Living for pleasure—2 Timothy 3:4

Lovers of self—2 Timothy 3:2

Loving another person more than Jesus—Matthew 10:37; Luke 14:26

Lusting after a woman—Matthew 5:27-28; 1 Peter 4:3; Matthew 18:9

Lying—Revelation 21:8, 27; 22:15; Ephesians 4:25; Romans 9:1; 2 Corinthians 11:31; Galatians 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:7

Malice—Romans 1:29; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 5:8; Titus 3:3; 2 Peter 2:1

Man praying or prophesying with head covered—1 Corinthians 11:4-16

Murder—Revelation 21:8; Mark 7:21; 5:21; 10: 19; 19:18; Luke 18:20; Romans 1:29; 1 Peter 3:15; 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Murmuring, complaining—Colossians 3:13; 1 Peter 4:9; James 5:9

Pride—Mark 7:22; 1 Peter 5:5, 6; James 4:6; Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11; 18;14

Prostitution–1 Corinthians 615-16

Quarrels—James 4:1-2; 1 Corinthians 1:11; 2 Timothy 2:23

Reviling—1 Corinthians 4:17; 5:11; 6:10; 5:11; 2 Timothy 3:2; 1 Peter 2:23

Sensuality—Galatians 5:19; Mark 7:22; Romans 13:13; 2 Corinthians 12:21; 1 Peter 4:3; Ephesians 4:19; 2 Peter 2:2

Slander—Matthew 15:19; Mark 7:22; Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 2 Peter 2:1; 1 Corinthians 4:13; Romans 1:30

Sorcery—Galatians 5:20; Revelation 21:8, 15; 9:21; 18:23

Speaking against the Holy Spirit—Matthew 12:32; Luke 12:10

Stealing—Ephesians 4:28; 13:9; Matthew 19:18; Mark 10:19; Luke 18:20; Romans 2:21; 13:9

Strife, quarreling—Galatians 5:20; Romans 1:29; 13:13; 1 Corinthians 3:3; 2 Corinthians 12:20; 1 Timothy 6:4

Swearing an oath—Matthew 6:34-37; James 5:12

Swindling—1 Corinthians 5:10-11; 6:10

Thievery, theft—1 Corinthians 6:10; Mark 7:21; John 10:1, 8; 1 Peter 4:15; Matthew 15:19

Treachery—2 Timothy 3:4

Unbelief, lack of faith—James 1:6; Mark 9:24; Hebrews 3:12, 19; 1 Timothy 5:8; 2 Corinthians 6:14-15; 7:13; 2 Corinthians 4:4; Titus 1:15; Revelation 21:8

Unforgiveness—Matthew 6:14-15; Mark 11:25-26

Ungodliness—Romans 1:18; 4:5; 5:6; 1 Timothy 1:9; 2 Timothy 2:16; Titus 2:12; 2 Peter 2:5, 6, 7

Ungratefulness—2 Tmothy 3:2; Romans 1:21; Luke 6:35; 2 Timothy 3:2

Unholiness—2 Timothy 3:2; Hebrews 12:14

Unrighteousness—Romans 1:18, 29; 2:8; 6:13; 1 John 1:9; 5:17; 1 Corinthians 6:9

Wickedness—Mark 7:22; Luke 11:39; Acts 8:22; Romans 1:29; 1 Corinthians 5:8, 13; Ephesians 6:12; 2 Thessalonians 2:10, 12; 2 Timothy 2:19

Woman cutting her hair short—1 Corinthians 1:14-15

Woman with her Head uncovered—1 Corinthians 11:5-16

Woman speaking or teaching in public—1 Timothy 2:11-15; 1 Corinthians 11:33-37

Wrath—Ephesians 4:31; Colossians 3:8; 1 Timothy 2:8

Wrong–1 Corinthians 6:8

You have now come to the end of our list. We hope that you have found this to be enlightening and helpful. As you can see, the listing of sins here is much more complete and helpful than the previous one. Spend some time not only looking over this list but also use it for your own blessing. Also, you will want to use this to help and bless others you know. May God bless you!

–Richard Hollerman

www.Truediscipleship.com

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justbyfaith
Hopeful


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You have now come to the end of our list. We hope that you have found this to be enlightening and helpful. As you can see, the listing of sins here is much more complete and helpful than the previous one. Spend some time not only looking over this list but also use it for your own blessing. Also, you will want to use this to help and bless others you know. May God bless you!

–Richard Hollerman

www.Truediscipleship.com

OFFICIAL LIST OF SINS

(NEW TESTAMENT)

[Some of you may be interested in this list of sins. We did not originate the list but there are some helpful things here. We are aware that some of the terms are taken from the KJV and they have changed meanings since that time.

Sin is dreadfully evil and disastrous. It is “utterly sinful” (Romans 7:13b) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). And yet the average person treats sin in a very casual way and may not even be concerned at all about committing this offense against God! See what you think of the list. Could you add to the list? Or change it in any way? If we were to use a more recent and literal translation, we would change the wording of some of the points. RH]


Here, as laid out by the Sin book, are the 124 sins listed in the new testament (in alphabetical order). Definitions will accompany those that are not self-evident. Though I may edit it somewhat, all definitions are taken straight from the pamphlet. For those who are interested in context, the pamphlet lists the source of each. I will not list them here, but if you want to know email me. I’ll let you know whatever information you need to look it up.

ANYWAY, GET OUT PAPER AND A PENCIL AND SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP!​

  1. Abusers of Self: Self polluters, having unnatural lusts
  2. Adultery (Note: Only for those who have been married)
  3. Anger
  4. Backbiters: Those who speak evil of those who are absent
  5. Banqueting: A drinking party
  6. Becoming a Stumbling Block to a Weak Brother Through Our Liberty: Taking liberty to do things without thinking of the effect on a weaker brother’s conscience.
  7. Being Angry With One’s Brother: Expressing unkind thought or action toward others
  8. Bitterness
  9. Blasphemy
  10. Boasting
  11. Brawling
  12. Brother Going to Law Against Brother: No definition given, so I’ll wing it. Bringing legal action against another. If someone has a better definition, please let me know.
  13. Burying our Talents: Not making wise use of what God gave us
  14. Calling One’s Brother A Fool: Ridiculing another
  15. Chambering: Unmarried people living and sleeping together
  16. Clamor: Loud, continued noises
  17. Complaining
  18. Contentious: Quarrelsome
  19. Corrupt Communications: Unprofitable or impure language
  20. Covenant Breakers: Lightly breaking a solemn or legal pact.
  21. Covetousness
  22. Craftiness: Cunningness
  23. Debate
  24. Deceit
  25. Defiling the Body
  26. Defraud
  27. Denying Christ
  28. Desiring the Praise of Men: Doing things to gain praise.
  29. Despiteful
  30. Dishonesty
  31. Disobedience to Parents
  32. Divisions: Forming splits or schisms in groups
  33. Divorce
  34. Double Tongued: Making insincere statements
  35. Drunkenness
  36. Eating the Bread, or Drinking The Lord’s Cup Unworthily: Taking communion while living in sin
  37. Effeminate: Unmanly or womanish man.
  38. Emulations: Ambition to excel
  39. Envy
  40. Evil Concupiscence: Longing or desire for forbidden things.
  41. Evil Eye: Having selfish motives
  42. Evil Thoughts: Worthless, injurious, or depraved thoughts
  43. Extortion
  44. Fathers Provoking Children to Wrath: Frustrating children through harsh treatment and/or failure to communicate.
  45. Fearful: Discouraged, anxious, faithless
  46. Filthiness
  47. Filthy Lucre: Receiving personal gain through unrighteousness.
  48. Finding Faults With Others While Having a Greater Fault Ourself
  49. Foolishness
  50. Foolish talking : Silliness.
  51. Giving False Witness
  52. Fornication
  53. Giving Offense: Causing another to fall spiritually by our example.
  54. Greediness
  55. Guile: Deceit
  56. Haters of God
  57. Hatred
  58. Having Evil Treasures in the Heart: (The definition doesn’t make any more sense).
  59. Having Pleasure in Them That Do Things Worthy of Death: Enjoying the company of sinners.
  60. Hearing the Sayings of Christ, but Not Following Them
  61. Heresies: Religious opinion different from established Scripture.
  62. Highmindedness: Arrogant
  63. Hypocrisy
  64. Idle Words: Words of no value.
  65. Idolatry: Loving someone or something more than God.
  66. Implacable: Refusing to be appeased
  67. Inordinate Affection: Passion, lust.
  68. Inventors of Evil Things: Those who contrive evil ways to satisfy their carnal lusts.
  69. Jesting: Talking to make others laugh.
  70. Judging
  71. Knowing to Do Good, but Doing it Not
  72. Lasciviousness: Lustful, wanton, exciting lust.
  73. Laying Up Treasures on Earth: Pursuing material success at the expense of spiritual things.
  74. Living in Pleasure: Fond of luxury and sensual pleasure/gratification.
  75. Lovers of Self
  76. Loving Another Person More Than Jesus
  77. Lusting After a Woman
  78. Lying
  79. Maliciousness
  80. Malignity: Being harmful or dangerous, bad character.
  81. A Man Prophesying or Praying With His Head Covered.
  82. Mockery
  83. Murder
  84. Murmuring: Grumbling, secretly complaining
  85. Presumptuous
  86. Pride: Self esteem.
  87. Puffed Up: Overestimating of one’s ability or knowledge.
  88. Purloining
  89. Railing: Slander
  90. Reveling: Overindulgence at feasts, merrymaking.
  91. Rioting
  92. Seditions: Stirring up opposition against authority.
  93. Self Will: Arrogant
  94. Speaking Against the Holy Spirit
  1. Sorcery: Practicing magic with aid from evil spirits.
  2. Speaking Evil of Dignities: Speaking ill of those to be honored.
  3. Stealing
  4. Stiff-Necked and Uncircumcised in Hearts and Ears: Obstinate
  5. Strife: Quarreling, seeking superiority
  6. Striker: Ready to Fight
  7. Swearing: To take oath (as in court).
  8. Teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men: Neglecting God’s commandments by manmade interpretation or commandments.
  9. Traitors
  10. Trusting in Riches
  11. Not Entering by the Door Into the Sheepfold: Seeking salvation through means other than the blood of Christ.
  12. Unbelief: Lack of faith.
  13. Uncleanness
  14. Unforgiving Heart
  15. Unmerciful
  16. Unrighteousness: Moral wrongfulness.
  17. Unthankfulness
  18. Vain Jangling: Babbling.
  19. Variance: Strife
  20. Voluntary Humility: False humilty.
  21. Wantonness: Lustful, morally unrestrained.
  22. Whisperers: Secretly spreading false or slanderous information.
  23. Whoremongers: One who associates with whores, a male prostitute.
  24. Witchcraft
  25. Wickedness: Evil practices, crime.
  26. Without Normal Affection: Hardhearted.
  27. Without Understanding: Unwise
  28. Wrath
  29. Woman Cutting Her Hair
  30. Woman Prophesying or Praying With Her Head Uncovered
http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/psuclass0/sinlist.html
 
What do you think it is when you break one of God's commandments?
Isn't that a sin?

What do the following verses mean to you?:


Romans 5:12
12Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned—
Romans 7:18

18For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.

Romans 7:25b
25So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God’s law, but in my sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.
I believe they mean the author of Romans believed man is inherently sinful, and that it is our nature to be this way.
 
I believe they mean the author of Romans believed man is inherently sinful, and that it is our nature to be this way.
I agree. You seemed to be saying something different.
I'd also say that once we know God, our nature changes in the sense that our sinful nature is put under submission to God and it is no longer our slave.

Romans 6:13-14
13Do not offer any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness.
14For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
 
Some will tell you there is no such thing as a "sin nature." They say it's not found in Scripture and is made up to fit the agenda of a certain doctrine or doctrines. They will also tell you that in Rom. 6:2 where Paul said, "How shall we, who are dead to sin, live any longer therein," means that we who are saved are now sinless and we can keep the Commandments of Christ literally.

This is a total and complete misunderstanding of the Scripture! So let me show you what "dead to sin" really means and how we know there is a "sin nature."

It might help to simply use the language of God's word in defining what you mean by "sin nature":

Romans 7:19-24 (ESV)
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh (carnal), as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh (carnal). For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh (carnal) and behaving only in a human way?

Galatians 5:17 (ESV)
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Philippians 3:19 (ESV)
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV)
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.


And so on.

After long rumination on this matter, I remain uncertain about what it is, precisely, that prompts the believer to sin. Might it simply be the effect of sinful habit, ignorance/false teaching and unbelief at work? Or perhaps these things coupled to natural fleshly impulses (to eat, to drink, to rest, to procreate, to self-gratify, to be accepted, to act meaningfully) that, apart from God's power, we just can't control properly? Or is there an actual sin-nature, a "curse," extending from Adam to us today, still within the born-again believer despite their spiritual regeneration, working against their new nature in Christ, prompting them to rebellion toward God and destructive selfishness? This last notion is, for me, increasingly problematic in light of 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:9-13; Colossians 3:1-3; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, etc..

I think it's pretty silly in light of what Scripture says to hold that a Christian cannot and will not sin. Just read 1 Corinthians, or Galatians, or 1 John 1:7-10, or Romans 7:15-24, or ask yourself why the New Testament is filled with injunctions to believers to do this, or that, to refrain over there, and act over here, to pray, to love, to serve, to rest, and so on, if simply by virtue of being saved, all of these things they can't help but do.

Paul is not saying we will stop sinning, but that the "sin nature" will not have dominion over us as it reigns over the unbelievers.

And the key to living in this reality, to walking in the Spirit, is, I am convinced, constant submission to God. See: Romans 6:13-22, Romans 8:14, Romans 12:1, James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6, etc.
 
justbyfaith
Hopeful


2 of 2








You have now come to the end of our list. We hope that you have found this to be enlightening and helpful. As you can see, the listing of sins here is much more complete and helpful than the previous one. Spend some time not only looking over this list but also use it for your own blessing. Also, you will want to use this to help and bless others you know. May God bless you!

–Richard Hollerman

www.Truediscipleship.com

OFFICIAL LIST OF SINS

(NEW TESTAMENT)

[Some of you may be interested in this list of sins. We did not originate the list but there are some helpful things here. We are aware that some of the terms are taken from the KJV and they have changed meanings since that time.

Sin is dreadfully evil and disastrous. It is “utterly sinful” (Romans 7:13b) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). And yet the average person treats sin in a very casual way and may not even be concerned at all about committing this offense against God! See what you think of the list. Could you add to the list? Or change it in any way? If we were to use a more recent and literal translation, we would change the wording of some of the points. RH]


Here, as laid out by the Sin book, are the 124 sins listed in the new testament (in alphabetical order). Definitions will accompany those that are not self-evident. Though I may edit it somewhat, all definitions are taken straight from the pamphlet. For those who are interested in context, the pamphlet lists the source of each. I will not list them here, but if you want to know email me. I’ll let you know whatever information you need to look it up.

ANYWAY, GET OUT PAPER AND A PENCIL AND SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP!​

  1. Abusers of Self: Self polluters, having unnatural lusts
  2. Adultery (Note: Only for those who have been married)
  3. Anger
  4. Backbiters: Those who speak evil of those who are absent
  5. Banqueting: A drinking party
  6. Becoming a Stumbling Block to a Weak Brother Through Our Liberty: Taking liberty to do things without thinking of the effect on a weaker brother’s conscience.
  7. Being Angry With One’s Brother: Expressing unkind thought or action toward others
  8. Bitterness
  9. Blasphemy
  10. Boasting
  11. Brawling
  12. Brother Going to Law Against Brother: No definition given, so I’ll wing it. Bringing legal action against another. If someone has a better definition, please let me know.
  13. Burying our Talents: Not making wise use of what God gave us
  14. Calling One’s Brother A Fool: Ridiculing another
  15. Chambering: Unmarried people living and sleeping together
  16. Clamor: Loud, continued noises
  17. Complaining
  18. Contentious: Quarrelsome
  19. Corrupt Communications: Unprofitable or impure language
  20. Covenant Breakers: Lightly breaking a solemn or legal pact.
  21. Covetousness
  22. Craftiness: Cunningness
  23. Debate
  24. Deceit
  25. Defiling the Body
  26. Defraud
  27. Denying Christ
  28. Desiring the Praise of Men: Doing things to gain praise.
  29. Despiteful
  30. Dishonesty
  31. Disobedience to Parents
  32. Divisions: Forming splits or schisms in groups
  33. Divorce
  34. Double Tongued: Making insincere statements
  35. Drunkenness
  36. Eating the Bread, or Drinking The Lord’s Cup Unworthily: Taking communion while living in sin
  37. Effeminate: Unmanly or womanish man.
  38. Emulations: Ambition to excel
  39. Envy
  40. Evil Concupiscence: Longing or desire for forbidden things.
  41. Evil Eye: Having selfish motives
  42. Evil Thoughts: Worthless, injurious, or depraved thoughts
  43. Extortion
  44. Fathers Provoking Children to Wrath: Frustrating children through harsh treatment and/or failure to communicate.
  45. Fearful: Discouraged, anxious, faithless
  46. Filthiness
  47. Filthy Lucre: Receiving personal gain through unrighteousness.
  48. Finding Faults With Others While Having a Greater Fault Ourself
  49. Foolishness
  50. Foolish talking : Silliness.
  51. Giving False Witness
  52. Fornication
  53. Giving Offense: Causing another to fall spiritually by our example.
  54. Greediness
  55. Guile: Deceit
  56. Haters of God
  57. Hatred
  58. Having Evil Treasures in the Heart: (The definition doesn’t make any more sense).
  59. Having Pleasure in Them That Do Things Worthy of Death: Enjoying the company of sinners.
  60. Hearing the Sayings of Christ, but Not Following Them
  61. Heresies: Religious opinion different from established Scripture.
  62. Highmindedness: Arrogant
  63. Hypocrisy
  64. Idle Words: Words of no value.
  65. Idolatry: Loving someone or something more than God.
  66. Implacable: Refusing to be appeased
  67. Inordinate Affection: Passion, lust.
  68. Inventors of Evil Things: Those who contrive evil ways to satisfy their carnal lusts.
  69. Jesting: Talking to make others laugh.
  70. Judging
  71. Knowing to Do Good, but Doing it Not
  72. Lasciviousness: Lustful, wanton, exciting lust.
  73. Laying Up Treasures on Earth: Pursuing material success at the expense of spiritual things.
  74. Living in Pleasure: Fond of luxury and sensual pleasure/gratification.
  75. Lovers of Self
  76. Loving Another Person More Than Jesus
  77. Lusting After a Woman
  78. Lying
  79. Maliciousness
  80. Malignity: Being harmful or dangerous, bad character.
  81. A Man Prophesying or Praying With His Head Covered.
  82. Mockery
  83. Murder
  84. Murmuring: Grumbling, secretly complaining
  85. Presumptuous
  86. Pride: Self esteem.
  87. Puffed Up: Overestimating of one’s ability or knowledge.
  88. Purloining
  89. Railing: Slander
  90. Reveling: Overindulgence at feasts, merrymaking.
  91. Rioting
  92. Seditions: Stirring up opposition against authority.
  93. Self Will: Arrogant
  94. Speaking Against the Holy Spirit
  95. Sorcery: Practicing magic with aid from evil spirits.
  96. Speaking Evil of Dignities: Speaking ill of those to be honored.
  97. Stealing
  98. Stiff-Necked and Uncircumcised in Hearts and Ears: Obstinate
  99. Strife: Quarreling, seeking superiority
  100. Striker: Ready to Fight
  101. Swearing: To take oath (as in court).
  102. Teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men: Neglecting God’s commandments by manmade interpretation or commandments.
  103. Traitors
  104. Trusting in Riches
  105. Not Entering by the Door Into the Sheepfold: Seeking salvation through means other than the blood of Christ.
  106. Unbelief: Lack of faith.
  107. Uncleanness
  108. Unforgiving Heart
  109. Unmerciful
  110. Unrighteousness: Moral wrongfulness.
  111. Unthankfulness
  112. Vain Jangling: Babbling.
  113. Variance: Strife
  114. Voluntary Humility: False humilty.
  115. Wantonness: Lustful, morally unrestrained.
  116. Whisperers: Secretly spreading false or slanderous information.
  117. Whoremongers: One who associates with whores, a male prostitute.
  118. Witchcraft
  119. Wickedness: Evil practices, crime.
  120. Without Normal Affection: Hardhearted.
  121. Without Understanding: Unwise
  122. Wrath
  123. Woman Cutting Her Hair
  124. Woman Prophesying or Praying With Her Head Uncovered
http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/psuclass0/sinlist.html
How can anyone possibly measure up to this? Even debate is a sin? Women cutting their hair?
 
I think that our best bet is not to make excuses, saying that we are prone to sinning and therefore we cannot help but sin. We ought to keep our eyes on Him; as that is His commandment to us.

Sin is not inevitable for the believer in Christ (Romans 6:14, Romans 8:12 (nlt)).

I don't look at it as though I have to sin, because I don' have to.

Christ set me free from the bondage of sin, Satan is no longer my master.

I have no desire to sin, but neither am I perfect or unable to sin!

If I'm not careful the old Charlie will come back and take over.

Sometimes I do or say something wondering where did that come from, but I know exactly where it came from. It's the old man trying to revive himself. Don't think for a minute that the old man can't come back.

But of course, if you are living a life of sin conscienseness, you already know what I'm talking about.
 
It might help to simply use the language of God's word in defining what you mean by "sin nature":

Romans 7:19-24 (ESV)
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh (carnal), as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh (carnal). For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh (carnal) and behaving only in a human way?

Galatians 5:17 (ESV)
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Philippians 3:19 (ESV)
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV)
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.


And so on.

After long rumination on this matter, I remain uncertain about what it is, precisely, that prompts the believer to sin. Might it simply be the effect of sinful habit, ignorance/false teaching and unbelief at work? Or perhaps these things coupled to natural fleshly impulses (to eat, to drink, to rest, to procreate, to self-gratify, to be accepted, to act meaningfully) that, apart from God's power, we just can't control properly? Or is there an actual sin-nature, a "curse," extending from Adam to us today, still within the born-again believer despite their spiritual regeneration, working against their new nature in Christ, prompting them to rebellion toward God and destructive selfishness? This last notion is, for me, increasingly problematic in light of 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:9-13; Colossians 3:1-3; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, etc..

I think it's pretty silly in light of what Scripture says to hold that a Christian cannot and will not sin. Just read 1 Corinthians, or Galatians, or 1 John 1:7-10, or Romans 7:15-24, or ask yourself why the New Testament is filled with injunctions to believers to do this, or that, to refrain over there, and act over here, to pray, to love, to serve, to rest, and so on, if simply by virtue of being saved, all of these things they can't help but do.



And the key to living in this reality, to walking in the Spirit, is, I am convinced, constant submission to God. See: Romans 6:13-22, Romans 8:14, Romans 12:1, James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6, etc.

The sin nature has not been taken out of the way! The born-again have a new divine nature, they have been reborn, crucified with Christ and the sin nature has been put at dormant.

Now it's up to you feed that new divine nature, because if you don't, the sin nature will come alive and do what Paul told us it would do, reign over you.

We are bombarded continuously every day with sin all around us, if that "new nature" is not fed properly, the old sin nature will take over and reign as a king over you!
 
I don't look at it as though I have to sin, because I don' have to.

Christ set me free from the bondage of sin, Satan is no longer my master.

I have no desire to sin, but neither am I perfect or unable to sin!

If I'm not careful the old Charlie will come back and take over.

Sometimes I do or say something wondering where did that come from, but I know exactly where it came from. It's the old man trying to revive himself. Don't think for a minute that the old man can't come back.

But of course, if you are living a life of sin conscienseness, you already know what I'm talking about.

The sin nature has often been compared to a tree. In the fall it lets go of its leaves and in the colder climate it shuts down, but does not die.

The surrounding conditions determine when this tree will shut down and be dormant.

So it is with the sin nature, the surrounding conditions determine when the tree is active or dormant.

If you feed the sin nature, it will reign, if you feed the divine nature, it will reign!
 
It might help to simply use the language of God's word in defining what you mean by "sin nature":

Romans 7:19-24 (ESV)
19 For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
20 Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me.
21 So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand.
22 For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being,
23 but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.
24 Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

1 Corinthians 3:1-3 (ESV)
1 But I, brothers, could not address you as spiritual people, but as people of the flesh (carnal), as infants in Christ.
2 I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready,
3 for you are still of the flesh (carnal). For while there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not of the flesh (carnal) and behaving only in a human way?

Galatians 5:17 (ESV)
17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do.

Philippians 3:19 (ESV)
19 Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things.

Romans 8:5-8 (ESV)
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV)
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.


And so on.

After long rumination on this matter, I remain uncertain about what it is, precisely, that prompts the believer to sin. Might it simply be the effect of sinful habit, ignorance/false teaching and unbelief at work? Or perhaps these things coupled to natural fleshly impulses (to eat, to drink, to rest, to procreate, to self-gratify, to be accepted, to act meaningfully) that, apart from God's power, we just can't control properly? Or is there an actual sin-nature, a "curse," extending from Adam to us today, still within the born-again believer despite their spiritual regeneration, working against their new nature in Christ, prompting them to rebellion toward God and destructive selfishness? This last notion is, for me, increasingly problematic in light of 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:9-13; Colossians 3:1-3; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, etc..

I think it's pretty silly in light of what Scripture says to hold that a Christian cannot and will not sin. Just read 1 Corinthians, or Galatians, or 1 John 1:7-10, or Romans 7:15-24, or ask yourself why the New Testament is filled with injunctions to believers to do this, or that, to refrain over there, and act over here, to pray, to love, to serve, to rest, and so on, if simply by virtue of being saved, all of these things they can't help but do.



And the key to living in this reality, to walking in the Spirit, is, I am convinced, constant submission to God. See: Romans 6:13-22, Romans 8:14, Romans 12:1, James 4:7-10, 1 Peter 5:6, etc.
I think that the believer will sin....I posted a list of sins somewhere...I think here.
What happens, however, is that our love for God helps us incredibly not to sin.
Just like our love for a husband makes us not want to create dismay in him...
so we do not desire to quench the Holy Spirit.
And it seems to me that we sin less and less...

I do believe that we are "cursed" as you put it.
I see it more as having had our perfect nature stained by Adam's sin.
We were sold to the evil one by him and now are in need of redemption...
being bought back. (one of the atonement theories).

So we're bought back from the evil one's mastery over us...
God is now our master....but, being human and still possessing this "sin nature", although it is definitely under submission, we will always sin at times.

We are justified, and we are being sanctified, but we're not glorified yet...
and won't be until after death.
 
How can anyone possibly measure up to this? Even debate is a sin? Women cutting their hair?
We cannot live up to this.

It was meant for a couple of members on the forum who state that they never sin.

My point being that we can do pretty well with the big sins:
murder, lying, stealing, dishonoring our parents, etc.

But there are so many small sins that are still considered missing the mark by God.
It's impossible for any human being NOT to sin.

John said that we should not sin, but IF WE DO SIN, we have Jesus as our advocate with the Father.
This must surely mean that sin is still possible even after we're born again.
1 John 1 and 2
 
Do you mean submission in a physical sense our that sin is given up to God?
I mean in a real physical sense.
The change can happen suddenly or over time.
I changed over time as I understood God more and more.
I think we just naturally become better and better by letting God guide us.
And, I must say, until God tells us to stop something, we will not be able to.
But when the Holy Spirit lets us know that something we are doing is sinful, we
will certainly have the strength to stop.
For instance, in forgiving someone. We know we're supposed to, but it might take time.
(or, it could be anything).

And if we do sin, we're told to ask God for forgiveness and He will be faithful and just to forgive us.
1 John 1:9
8If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
9If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
 
After long rumination on this matter, I remain uncertain about what it is, precisely, that prompts the believer to sin.
My thoughts too .
Might it simply be the effect of sinful habit, ignorance/false teaching and unbelief at work?
Could be .
Or perhaps these things coupled to natural fleshly impulses (to eat, to drink, to rest, to procreate, to self-gratify, to be accepted, to act meaningfully) that, apart from God's power, we just can't control properly?
Now this is what I have been thinking about too . What natural fleshly impulses are pre-loaded into the human mindset from the Maker? Selfishness can be seen in the very young , there is a desire in humans to keep living , and the ones you mentioned above . These together with a fallen world would be enough to bring on sin , IMO .
Or is there an actual sin-nature, a "curse," extending from Adam to us today, still within the born-again believer despite their spiritual regeneration, working against their new nature in Christ, prompting them to rebellion toward God and destructive selfishness? This last notion is, for me, increasingly problematic in light of 2 Corinthians 5:19, Romans 6:1-11; Colossians 2:9-13; Colossians 3:1-3; Galatians 2:20; Galatians 5:24; Galatians 6:14, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20, etc..
Problematic , yes I agree completely .
 
justbyfaith
Hopeful


2 of 2








You have now come to the end of our list. We hope that you have found this to be enlightening and helpful. As you can see, the listing of sins here is much more complete and helpful than the previous one. Spend some time not only looking over this list but also use it for your own blessing. Also, you will want to use this to help and bless others you know. May God bless you!

–Richard Hollerman

www.Truediscipleship.com

OFFICIAL LIST OF SINS

(NEW TESTAMENT)

[Some of you may be interested in this list of sins. We did not originate the list but there are some helpful things here. We are aware that some of the terms are taken from the KJV and they have changed meanings since that time.

Sin is dreadfully evil and disastrous. It is “utterly sinful” (Romans 7:13b) and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). And yet the average person treats sin in a very casual way and may not even be concerned at all about committing this offense against God! See what you think of the list. Could you add to the list? Or change it in any way? If we were to use a more recent and literal translation, we would change the wording of some of the points. RH]


Here, as laid out by the Sin book, are the 124 sins listed in the new testament (in alphabetical order). Definitions will accompany those that are not self-evident. Though I may edit it somewhat, all definitions are taken straight from the pamphlet. For those who are interested in context, the pamphlet lists the source of each. I will not list them here, but if you want to know email me. I’ll let you know whatever information you need to look it up.

ANYWAY, GET OUT PAPER AND A PENCIL AND SEE HOW YOU MEASURE UP!​

  1. Abusers of Self: Self polluters, having unnatural lusts
  2. Adultery (Note: Only for those who have been married)
  3. Anger
  4. Backbiters: Those who speak evil of those who are absent
  5. Banqueting: A drinking party
  6. Becoming a Stumbling Block to a Weak Brother Through Our Liberty: Taking liberty to do things without thinking of the effect on a weaker brother’s conscience.
  7. Being Angry With One’s Brother: Expressing unkind thought or action toward others
  8. Bitterness
  9. Blasphemy
  10. Boasting
  11. Brawling
  12. Brother Going to Law Against Brother: No definition given, so I’ll wing it. Bringing legal action against another. If someone has a better definition, please let me know.
  13. Burying our Talents: Not making wise use of what God gave us
  14. Calling One’s Brother A Fool: Ridiculing another
  15. Chambering: Unmarried people living and sleeping together
  16. Clamor: Loud, continued noises
  17. Complaining
  18. Contentious: Quarrelsome
  19. Corrupt Communications: Unprofitable or impure language
  20. Covenant Breakers: Lightly breaking a solemn or legal pact.
  21. Covetousness
  22. Craftiness: Cunningness
  23. Debate
  24. Deceit
  25. Defiling the Body
  26. Defraud
  27. Denying Christ
  28. Desiring the Praise of Men: Doing things to gain praise.
  29. Despiteful
  30. Dishonesty
  31. Disobedience to Parents
  32. Divisions: Forming splits or schisms in groups
  33. Divorce
  34. Double Tongued: Making insincere statements
  35. Drunkenness
  36. Eating the Bread, or Drinking The Lord’s Cup Unworthily: Taking communion while living in sin
  37. Effeminate: Unmanly or womanish man.
  38. Emulations: Ambition to excel
  39. Envy
  40. Evil Concupiscence: Longing or desire for forbidden things.
  41. Evil Eye: Having selfish motives
  42. Evil Thoughts: Worthless, injurious, or depraved thoughts
  43. Extortion
  44. Fathers Provoking Children to Wrath: Frustrating children through harsh treatment and/or failure to communicate.
  45. Fearful: Discouraged, anxious, faithless
  46. Filthiness
  47. Filthy Lucre: Receiving personal gain through unrighteousness.
  48. Finding Faults With Others While Having a Greater Fault Ourself
  49. Foolishness
  50. Foolish talking : Silliness.
  51. Giving False Witness
  52. Fornication
  53. Giving Offense: Causing another to fall spiritually by our example.
  54. Greediness
  55. Guile: Deceit
  56. Haters of God
  57. Hatred
  58. Having Evil Treasures in the Heart: (The definition doesn’t make any more sense).
  59. Having Pleasure in Them That Do Things Worthy of Death: Enjoying the company of sinners.
  60. Hearing the Sayings of Christ, but Not Following Them
  61. Heresies: Religious opinion different from established Scripture.
  62. Highmindedness: Arrogant
  63. Hypocrisy
  64. Idle Words: Words of no value.
  65. Idolatry: Loving someone or something more than God.
  66. Implacable: Refusing to be appeased
  67. Inordinate Affection: Passion, lust.
  68. Inventors of Evil Things: Those who contrive evil ways to satisfy their carnal lusts.
  69. Jesting: Talking to make others laugh.
  70. Judging
  71. Knowing to Do Good, but Doing it Not
  72. Lasciviousness: Lustful, wanton, exciting lust.
  73. Laying Up Treasures on Earth: Pursuing material success at the expense of spiritual things.
  74. Living in Pleasure: Fond of luxury and sensual pleasure/gratification.
  75. Lovers of Self
  76. Loving Another Person More Than Jesus
  77. Lusting After a Woman
  78. Lying
  79. Maliciousness
  80. Malignity: Being harmful or dangerous, bad character.
  81. A Man Prophesying or Praying With His Head Covered.
  82. Mockery
  83. Murder
  84. Murmuring: Grumbling, secretly complaining
  85. Presumptuous
  86. Pride: Self esteem.
  87. Puffed Up: Overestimating of one’s ability or knowledge.
  88. Purloining
  89. Railing: Slander
  90. Reveling: Overindulgence at feasts, merrymaking.
  91. Rioting
  92. Seditions: Stirring up opposition against authority.
  93. Self Will: Arrogant
  94. Speaking Against the Holy Spirit
  95. Sorcery: Practicing magic with aid from evil spirits.
  96. Speaking Evil of Dignities: Speaking ill of those to be honored.
  97. Stealing
  98. Stiff-Necked and Uncircumcised in Hearts and Ears: Obstinate
  99. Strife: Quarreling, seeking superiority
  100. Striker: Ready to Fight
  101. Swearing: To take oath (as in court).
  102. Teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men: Neglecting God’s commandments by manmade interpretation or commandments.
  103. Traitors
  104. Trusting in Riches
  105. Not Entering by the Door Into the Sheepfold: Seeking salvation through means other than the blood of Christ.
  106. Unbelief: Lack of faith.
  107. Uncleanness
  108. Unforgiving Heart
  109. Unmerciful
  110. Unrighteousness: Moral wrongfulness.
  111. Unthankfulness
  112. Vain Jangling: Babbling.
  113. Variance: Strife
  114. Voluntary Humility: False humilty.
  115. Wantonness: Lustful, morally unrestrained.
  116. Whisperers: Secretly spreading false or slanderous information.
  117. Whoremongers: One who associates with whores, a male prostitute.
  118. Witchcraft
  119. Wickedness: Evil practices, crime.
  120. Without Normal Affection: Hardhearted.
  121. Without Understanding: Unwise
  122. Wrath
  123. Woman Cutting Her Hair
  124. Woman Prophesying or Praying With Her Head Uncovered
http://www.angelfire.com/empire2/psuclass0/sinlist.html
Maybe I missed it but I will add this . Thanks for posting this wondering :nod .

Sin of omission . Not doing the right thing when we know as Christians the right thing to do .

James4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
 
Maybe I missed it but I will add this . Thanks for posting this wondering :nod .

Sin of omission . Not doing the right thing when we know as Christians the right thing to do .

James4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Wow. What a catch!
What, the list wasn't long enough?
LOL
 
The sin nature has not been taken out of the way! The born-again have a new divine nature, they have been reborn, crucified with Christ and the sin nature has been put at dormant.

Well, I've been considering this matter for several decades now and I can't say I'm nearly as confident as you are about what is actually the case.

Now it's up to you feed that new divine nature, because if you don't, the sin nature will come alive and do what Paul told us it would do, reign over you.

I see. Hmmm...I'm afraid I can't agree with you here. Let me explain:

First, you seem to be holding to a sort of "spiritual schizophrenia" where two completely opposite natures war with the born-again believer. Okay, so what do you with Paul's remark in his letter to the believers at Corinth:

2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.


A simple, straightforward reading of Paul here leads me to think, not that I've had new nature added to my old, carnal one, but that the old nature has passed away, replaced by a new one. Can you see how Paul's words here could be read this way?

Romans 6:6-7 (ESV)
6 We know that our old self was crucified with him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.
7 For one who has died has been set free from sin.


Paul indicates a pretty radical change in one's inner state-of-affairs, here. It isn't just that there are two "dogs" now inside of a believer, waiting to be fed and strengthened, to good or ill, but that the "old self" - who we are apart from God, carnal, selfish, and shortsighted - has been crucified and we are now "dead to sin and alive unto God" in Christ. Our "old self" isn't just hanging around with as much access to us as ever, waiting for us to feed it and make it grow, but was nailed to the cross of Christ and there held powerless.

And so, Paul never tells the believers at Rome to be careful which nature they feed, but, instead, tells them to count on their death to self being so, by faith standing unmoved upon the fully-accomplished truth of their freedom from Self and sin (Romans 6:11). Only as they "reckon it so" that they are already "dead to sin and alive unto God" will they ever begin to truly live in the freedom from sin that is their spiritual inheritance in Christ.

But Paul has another even more important command that he gives to the believers at Rome. In the same chapter in which he commands them to "reckon it so," Paul also commands the believers at Rome as follows:

Romans 6:12-13 (ESV)
12 Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions.
13 Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

It will do a believer little good to, by faith, count on their co-crucifixion with Christ while they are living unsubmitted to God, not having presented themselves to Him as "living sacrifices," and "slaves of righteousness." (Romans 6:18) So long as any believer neglects to daily - often many times a day - submit themselves to God's control, they remain a rebel before Him. And so long as this is so, they cannot be filled with the Spirit and enjoy in him all the abundance of God (part of which is freedom from the power of Self and sin).

Years ago, I left off the unbiblical idea of the "two dogs" within me for what Paul actually wrote about living in freedom from Self and sin. And the result has been amazing - completely different from the constant struggle, and frequent failure, that plagued me when I held the view that you do about which nature I'll feed. It turns out, Paul really knew what he was talking about!

We are bombarded continuously every day with sin all around us, if that "new nature" is not fed properly, the old sin nature will take over and reign as a king over you!

You likely won't understand this but I'll say it anyway: What you've proposed here locates the responsibility for your spiritual success in you. You've made yourself the vital crux of what happens to you spiritually. If you don't feed the right "dog," it's all over. Was this how you came to Christ? Was it all up to you to move toward God when you were "dead in trespasses and sins," bound, as all unsaved people are, under the power of the World, the Flesh and the devil? (Ephesians 2:8-9) Did you contribute to your salvation? Did you play a part in your justification, sanctification and redemption? To all of these questions the Bible gives a resounding "No!" (1 Corinthians 1:30; Titus 3:5-8) Well, as you walk in fellowship with God you are still a recipient of His work upon you, the Spirit convicting, teaching, strengthening, comforting and transforming you (John 16:8; 1 Corinthians 2:10-16; Ephesians 3:16; Romans 8:13; 2 Corinthians 1:3-5; Galatians 5:22-23). Even after you're saved, it's still all God. Your "job," if you like, is to receive from God the regenerating life of Christ, remain by faith in who you are as a joint-heir in him, and then reflect His work in you. This is an entirely different way of walking with God than to shoulder the impossible burden of producing a godly result from your own human resources. But, like begets like. You can only beget more of yourself. Only God can make you godly. And so, Paul wrote the following:

Philippians 2:12-13 (ESV)
12 ...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,
13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.


We can only work out what God has first worked into us. And His doing so is contingent, not on our feeding one nature or another, but on our remaining, in love and faith, submitted before Him throughout every day. I hope one day you'll move deeply into this way of walking with God! It's the normal Christian life but so different, so much better, than the common experience of modern believers!
 
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