Can a Christian Struggle with HABITUAL SIN? | ask Theocast

[@janebekkema3388]

I am 5 months christian,coming and forsace the hard world,I can not forsace all my sins in a few months,I was very addicted,stepbystep I come closer toGod

[@joeygorka5343]

I’ve been a Christian my whole life. I got lost and fell into addiction even as a Christian. And I still struggle to this day. I hate it so much. It’s a battle I feel like I’m losing to my flesh. I still keep my faith that God will take control of my life. But sometimes I feel like this is what I’m going to be dealing with for my life.

[@mikedeboom7008]

For a very long time ive struggled with a porn addiction etc, its so difficult i want to stop but in the times i do give in Its just hard to tell if im living in sin or just really struggling with it. I know its wrong and i ask for forgiveness i feel like its a spiritual battle that never ends

[@joeygorka5343]

Same brother, different addiction but same results. I hate it.

[@jamesmcallister9645]

Do this to get the victory ( 2 Chronicles 7:14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven abd forgive their sin and will heal their land.

[@jamienegus8921]

Thanks Jon (& Theocast crew) the questioning my salvation has crept in hard lately. Great reminder I needed. Every Christian needs to hear this time and again!

[@THEOCAST]

Thanks for taking the time to reply!

[@broadband1820]

Thank you,I'm so glad God led me to Theocast.

[@labulldog5]

A habit, as defined by the Webster dictionary, means “a regular, recurring action or practice, especially one that is hard to give up.” When I read in Jerry Bridges book, Respectable Sins: “since the gospel is only for sinners, I begin each day with the realization that despite my being a saint, I still sin every day in thought, word, deed, and motive.” If I admit that I sin every day (and have done so for the last 30 years), am I a habitual sinner?

[@Bobepc]

Christians should not make that confession that actually comes from the flawed Westminster Catechism. Why throw in the towel of defeat before the day begins? As the Apostle Paul would say: Become sober-minded as you ought, and *stop sinning*; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. (1 Cor 15:34). How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Rom 6:2).

[@danielrblend]

Amen! Non believers do not greive over their sin. Believers are not comfortable or happy with their sin.

[@truthnow902]

Yeah there's a reason why non-believers don't grieve over their sin because they do not believe what you're doing is sin, so why would they change or why would they repent until they know for sure that it is sin there would be no repentance, but for the one that knows it's in and does not repent and turn from their sin they are going to be accountable!!!! And if you're listening to this guy he's going to tell you you won't be accountable but he's not telling you that Jesus is just we cannot fool him and we cannot fool ourselves we need to be obedient to him!!!!!

[@ChristopherLeskanic]

​@@truthnow902Are you obedient enough?

[@truthnow902]

@@ChristopherLeskanic what do you mean are you obedient enough? You either obey Jesus or you don't!!

[@nickshively1192]

The Corinthians were saved. We don’t lose our salvation, but we will lose fellowship and that feels just as bad. Trust me I have been there.

[@davisbelas3516]

Amen! Good word!!!

[@andrewmjohnson]

So encouraging!

[@Vic-dl7wq]

This was an excellent explanation and very encouraging and helpful!

[@THEOCAST]

Thanks for sharing!

[@carolbest5660]

God bless!! Always need reminded

[@steelerhog8638]

Great message!

[@Star-dj1kw]

❤ excellent

[@richierackley7826]

Thanks for that that's good teachings I know because I'm in the same position and also know I love Jesus again thank you that was a good video

[@johndodson8464]

Great job, young pastor. You're a great teacher. The only people that claim perfection are LEGALISTIC false teachers. The LAW requires perfection. Sanctification is a PROCESS. As we UNDERSTAND, our MIND changes. That CHANGE happens by believing something NEW that we didn't believe before. This makes our VALUES change. Thus, our DESIRES begin to change.

[@guardianmeister6650]

We have to learn that it is only by the mediation of the indwelling Christ that we overcome. God allows the struggle because he is taking us deeper into "Christ in you, the Hope of Glory" as our victory. Then all the glory, power and honor are God's and God's alone and we learn all kinds of things: treasure in earthen vessels joy in the midst of sorrows all sufficient grace to love the fellowship of Christ's sufferings to despise our old life in Adam just how frail we really are how thoroughly true and accurate God's Word is to visit orphans and widows in their distress remembrance of the poor ... and the list goes on and on.

[@Myjesus-1]

Ezekiel ch 44 9 This is what the Sovereign LORD says: No foreigner uncircumcised in heart and flesh is to enter my sanctuary, not even the foreigners who live among the Israelites.

[@someperson9536]

Do you have any suggestions for how to resist the temptation to sin?

[@MYLORDANDSAVIORJESUSCHRIST]

Honestly is really just prayer. when im tempted i start praying to God to take the temptation away from me because i dont want to fall into the temptation and satisfy my sinful flesh and 100% of the time in a instant after praying i dont feel tempted anymore

[@Goldtaker23]

There is 1 sin I was addicted to before I came to Christ and when I did I repented and got rid of it and then it came back and im basically the same with it now addicted excpt the difference is I now know its wrong of course and I want to stop but I cant Im lacking strength willpower etc I have asked God for help lots over the years but I cant get victory over it

[@Bobepc]

I would encourage you to develop an every day habit of earnest prayer and seeking Gods face and spending time in scripture. Then go to war with that sin and root it out of your life as if your eternity depends on it…..because it does.

[@andrewd2114]

Good stuff👌

[@THEOCAST]

Thanks!

[@teddrickmilsap5994]

If God cleanses us and we are still unclean then we both are struggling.

[@Myjesus-1]

Ezekiel 18:24 24 “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

[@EdilaLewis-c8u]

Those are the old days of the Lord we are living under Grace under the days of Jesus with the forgiveness of sins that the holy spirit will help many to overcome maybe until the end

[@e.m.8094]

There's been debate regarding whether or not Paul is speaking of himself in Romans 7 though, correct?

[@janebekkema3388]

I haveovercome all drugs and alcohol,now I am worcing on the rest

[@scottsinger273]

I thought overcoming booze and drugs was the end of my problems! That seems to be just the beginning! My dear Lord is with me thru all my other sins that I'm working on daily! He's the Best!!

[@joeygorka5343]

How did you overcome? I can overcome for a little and then I don’t. And it baffles me

[@CAsnowman]

I was delivered from drugs when I first gave my life to Jesus sincerely but I’ve backslidden and gotten entangled again with this crap. Not to the same level as I used to be, but enough to make me doubt my salvation or be tormented with whether or not I can be forgiven for my willful sin, and then worrying about whether or not I even have it in me to repent. It’s exhausting and I’m so depressed and upset with myself that I’ve gotten entangled and physically dependent on another substance after being freed from opioids and suboxone after so many years. I could use prayer please

[@scottsinger273]

@@CAsnowman Always remember, if you truly believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, God's with ya! Your going thru something that true believers go thru, like most of us have! You got my prayers! God bless!

[@MrKC23]

You are already doing it, but a video entitled "10 Common Christian clichés analysed/refuted" Also, the joys of Christian celibacy, 1Cor 7, marriage - Dr Abraham kuruvilla of Dallas Seminary, has done video o his choice to be celibate

[@thewasserrecord4513]

Is not going to church a sin and how important is it for the life of a believer?

[@THEOCAST]

Great question! Hebrews 10:25 specifically states not to forsake the gathering of the church. Ephesians 4:11-16 states that our spiritual growth is directly tied to a properly functioning church. Here is another helpful video kzbin.info/www/bejne/npuXno2qn9h8mtk

[@brianc81]

@@THEOCAST Majority of organized churches are heretical in their teachings, worship psuedo-science, and are just loathing sheds. The Bible says when two or more are gathered in my name, I am there...so there is your true church. Church is not 4 walls and a building with a obelisk penis and tammuz pagan cross on top.

[@J_a_s_o_n]

Yes! We are taught to be part of the body of Christ which is church.

[@bloodboughtbigphilr8266]

If there's a good Gospel church in your locality and you're not regularly using the gifts God has given you to bless and build up that body nor actively involved in the church's evangelistic witness to the community, that is sin.

[@labulldog5]

Furthermore, is there anybody who doesn’t sin daily, perhaps multiple times? That sounds to me, suspiciously like a “pattern of sin”, or “habitual sin.” Therefore you might confess it to God and therefore it’s not unrepentant sin - but you keep doing it daily, and expect this in the future (1 John 1:8). I do not say this because I’m trying to be a legalist here, but something about sinning daily/habitually, seems to bother me after reading 1John 3. Can you opine?

[@randsollie7921]

Galatians 5:16, explains exactly how to stop sinning (fulfilling the lust of the flesh): walk in the Spirit. What does that mean? Why does it seem no one is even curious as to what it means to walk in the Spirit? Paul tells us what it means to be carnally minded: mindful of the flesh. That's all it means. People see themselves for who and what they are in their flesh. Instead of reckoning themselves dead to the flesh, they are very mindful of every single sin and every single triumph. When they sin, they are guilt ridden. When they do good, they are proud and glad. Even if the good outweighs the bad, the flesh will still never amount to anything. But being mindful of the flesh will only cause these ups and downs in an endless cycle. To walk in the Spirit is to be mindful of who you are in Christ: absolutely perfect. Colossians 1:22-23 To be mindful of how God sees you, knowing first and foremost that He is not looking at your flesh. He has no confidence in our flesh because He knows it is tainted with sin. But He gives us a new nature: His. And that new Creation He created us to be forever perfect. We are IN CHRIST by faith in Christ. We are His body. IN CHRIST there is no unrighteousness. There is no sin. There is no vial or evil thing. Walking in the Spirit means to be mindful of who we are in Christ: perfectly clean, perfectly righteous, and perfectly perfect.

[@THEOCAST]

Yes, we are in the Spirit. And yet we still sin. 1 John 1:8 would teach that we still give into the flesh. Do you still give into the flesh?

[@randsollie7921]

@@THEOCAST Of course I do, but according to Paul in Romans 7:17 & 20, it is not me doing it, but sin that is still in my flesh, as long as I am consenting to the Law (that it is good) by not wanting to do the sin in the first place. Romans 7:16 If we take that and understand it, then when we read passages like 1 John 3:9 where he uses words like, "can not sin" we don't need to change it or add any other meaning to it to fully know how that is even possible. Its possible that we "can not sin" because we are not in the flesh but in the Spirit if the Spirit of God dwells in us. Romans 8:9 Christ removed our sinful flesh from us in the circumcision made without hands. Colossians 2:11. So our flesh is not counted against us (if we are born again (1 John 5:1), If the blood of bulls and goats would have made them clean and perfect forever,, then they would have no more consciousness of sins. Hebrews 10:2 They (under the law) don't have that--no consciousness of sins--but we do, or should. It's the Grace of God that teaches us to live Godly. The Law causes us to look at ourselves, but the Grace of God causes us to look at Him, at His goodness, at His works at the Cross. It's much easier to walk a clean life if you realize just how perfectly clean you are. But if you think of yourself as dirty and wretched, why not get a little dirtier? Are we looking at who we are in the flesh and trying to clean that up? Or, are we looking at who we are in Christ and resting in His finished works at the Cross?

[@jhails112]

@@THEOCAST well I sure do give in to the flesh. I am not going to remember perfectly or think perfectly about how Christ sees me....no matter how hard I try. It's freeing to know I will still sin because I am still in this unredeemed body and there is no condemnation. Yet we don't have license to sin. Knowing there is such grace and mercy makes me want to love God more but it won't be perfectly. This needs taught in the church. A certain pastor says that a believer will not habitually sin and if they do they're not saved.

[@saynotohookups]

@@jhails112 But what about where the Bible says that the believer is freed from the bondage of sin?

[@johncashmore45]

Wish I could stop this habitual sin I find no way out

[@98Timothy]

Where is the E Book?

[@THEOCAST]

theocast.org/product/faithvsfaithfulness/

[@someperson9536]

Could you explain what 1 John 3:9 means? It says, "No one who is born of God practices sin, because His seed abides in him; and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." What does it mean to practice sin? The reason why I'm asking is because I have known people who started to commit various kinds of sexual sin AFTER they made a profession of faith in Christ. They knew that what they were doing was sin and they tried really hard to give up those things. Eventually, they stopped committing sexual sin, but it took a long time for them to stop. Were they practicing sin when they were commiting sexual sin?

[@brianc81]

First of all, stop quoting a perverted translation. I John 3:9 is talking about the inward man (the spirit) that does not sin. "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." Those that are born of God, God only sees his Son Jesus, the Redeemer when he looks at us. Now look at verses 4 and 5 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.: Sin is transgression of the Law. The believer cannot keep the law perfectly, nor is the believer under the law, but under GRACE. See the book of Romans and Galatians Verse 5- Did Jesus take away OUR sins? yes he did. Past, present, and future. We still sin because we are still in this mortal sinful flesh. We sin every...single..day...whether by thought or by deed and all it takes is just ONE sin to condemn you. The believer is no longer in condemnation.

[@douglasmcnay644]

@@brianc81 How about showing a little more Christian character and humility by not jumping on someone for the translation they are using? The KJV is one English translation, not THE ONLY English translation. The other ones are perfectly suitable for reading and study. I would love to see any evidence of a single doctrinal change that occurs when comparing any other decent translation to the King James.

[@brianc81]

@@douglasmcnay644 Because all other 'translations' are PERVERSIONS! ESV says Elhanan slain Goliath. That's just one example. All the perversions removed FIRMAMENT (Water Dome/vault) from God's word. That's why the so called Christian denies our enclosed system and believes in the lie of heliocentricity. The list goes on and on. The King James is God's Word in English. The rest are counterfeits!

[@MFaith777]

No one born of God practices sin meaning the “new man”, or new creature, the born again person you become in the spirit after you are indwelled with Holy Spirit when you put your trust in Christ alone for salvation. The flesh can still sin. But the Spirit never sins. Our flesh and our spirit will battle until we are made perfect when we die.

[@thompsonxander]

Paul was not talking about himself in Romans seven. He used the greek impersonal legal first person to emphasise this.

[@toddstevens9667]

Funny that no one seems to know this. How would this “new” interpretation change our understanding of Romans 7? What is the Apostle saying in this “impersonal legal first person”? What exactly is his point? I’m actually not arguing. I’m just curious why no one in the 50+ commentaries on Romans that I’ve read knew this. But this is a very controversial passage. Maybe this “new” notion might help explain it better. The arguments back and forth on this passage are very confusing. Any light you might shed would be helpful.

[@Star-dj1kw]

What?

[@ibanstein9612]

First of all, there were no Denominational Churches back when Paul wrote his letters and spoke openly. The money making denominational church system was not invented until it was copied from the Roman Catholics in the 16th century. Ever since then, a denomination would form and split, and form and split, and form and split until today, in which there is over 45,000 different denominations world wide, with 15,000 of those being right here in the USA. Is this what Jesus, the Disciples and Apostles wrote about and taught? NO Jesus, the Disciples and Apostles never built a building calling it a church, nor did they elect a pastor and staff paying them with a 10% tithe. We are to be like Jesus are we not? But Jesus never passed an offering plate collecting millions and then keeping it for himself. The Christians that did meet together, met in the homes of people where it was a shared discussion; or they would meet openly where the people heard the new Gospel called Grace, meaning they were no longer operating under the law or works. They traveled telling people that the Son of God was here to save us from our sins; not to get all dressed up, and have to go to church to take their money and give it to the pastor. The so called churches of today make me sick at my stomach the way they carry on, and conduct themselves in public shamelessly as if to say they are doing it the way Jesus and Paul said to do it. Yeah Right! Chapter and Verse Please... The Synagogues back then were not Christian, why? Because they followed the Torah and the Mishnah, and they certainly did not accept Jesus or follow Jesus at any time. Remember, Jesus told his Disciples that they would be flogged in the synagogues because of who the followed, Jesus. What has Satan done ever since he was cast into the earth Saints? He has lied and misled God's children into believing lies not taught to us by Jesus, his Disciples and Apostles. Satan is the spirit of confusion the Bible says, and he is a professional at leading people astray, dressed as an angel of light, while all along his motives is to twist your mind into believing a lie. So shall it be in the days of Noah, when Jesus returns. Satan is doing today what he did during the time of Noah, corrupting the people and the animals, to the point, God was saddened, and then flooded the earth to destroy the evil abominations. Just as Satan did in Noah's time, he's doing again. Satan has corrupted the leaders of the world, the news media, sex, food, wine, the animals, and yes the Real Church of God, by having Christians follow after the Roman Catholic harlot/church into believing a corrupt system, teaching them things not taught, or wrote about in God's Word. The modern day denominational church system is modeled after the Roman Catholic church since the 16th century. They all have a man leader, they all have a building, staff, a paycheck, a home, and a car all paid for by the people; but most of all, they have status, with their followers looking up to them like they're something special, just like Jesus said in Matthew 23. Paul said in Romans 14 let each man decide for himself what the scriptures mean; one says its ok for him to eat meat, another says it is not. Another says its ok for him to drink wine, while another says it is not. However, Paul does say the one that does not allow him to eat meat is weaker in Faith, because his Faith has limits. Paul says Heaven is not about what we eat or drink, but what do the pastors get up there and preach against? Beer and Wine, even though Jesus made 180 gallons of wine. Gluttony is a sin too, but you don't hear any pastors today teaching on that do you? Nope In fact, they'll go to the All You Can Eat Buffets, and eat til they about pop won't they? Just like Hebrews 10:25. Boy do they get that one wrong. Paul NEVER, EVER taught once to go to your local neighborhood denominational church, and pay 10% of your income, neither did Jesus or any Disciple or Apostles. If pastors and evangelists today would bother to Study the BIBLE and its meaning in the Hebrew and Greek Language, they would see what Paul was saying when he said "Forsake" in Hebrews 10:25. The Greek word under "assembling" in Hebrews 10:25 is "episunagoge". "Episunagoge" is only used twice in the New Testament, once in Hebrews 10:25 and once in 2 Thessalonians 2:1. In 2 Thessalonians 2:1, it speaks of our "Gathering Together" in the air to meet Jesus. The use of "episunagoge" in Hebrews 10:25 is unusual and profound! Normally, the author would have used the word "sunagoge" or regularly scheduled worship services, as in James 2:2 where "sunagoge" is translated "assembly". But the Hebrew Christians are urged to "EPIsunagoge". The "EPI" in front of "sunagoge" adds the meaning "super" or "over and above". So, God's Word here is not telling the Hebrew Christians to go to regularly scheduled church meetings, but to exhort one another, spiritual assisting one another. If God wanted us to build buildings and call them churches, He would have said so, but He never did. If God wanted the Christians to elect a pastors and pay them, He would have said so, but He never did. If God wanted us to pay 10% of our paycheck to the Nazarene, Baptist, or Presbyterian denominations, He would have said so in His Word, but He never did. However, who did implement the Money Tithe System in 355AD? The Roman Catholic harlot that sits on seven hills. The Money Tithe System was introduced to the "Protestant Reformation" in the 16th century, which they accepted, because it allowed them to be like the catholic priests, and have the people pay for their building, their house, food, everything..... Then when it found its way to America, the rest is history; 15,000 different denominations. Some TV preachers today are making hundreds of millions of dollars a year, with some making over a billion dollars. The very thing the Bible warns us about, these TV pastors and evangelists are doing to their own congregations. One pastor in Texas pastors (5) churches. He flies in one of his (3) helicopters from church to church preaching a performance driven religion, while raking in millions every week. I could go on and on for days about this sort of thing, but I think I've made my point clear. Jesus, his Disciples and Apostles warned us again and again about false teachers, saying they would make merchandise of you (Meaning Money), with all kinds of sad stories. This is what the Bible calls witchcraft, by using word manipulation to sway people into giving their money to them. Woe to these people the Bible says. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain”. 1 Timothy 6:10 “Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs”. One last thing, the Apostle Paul wrote: 2 Corinthians 2:17 17 Unlike so many, we do not peddle the word of God for profit. On the contrary, in Christ we speak before God with sincerity, as those sent from God. And what is the denominational churches doing across America? They peddle the Word of God for profit.

[@J_a_s_o_n]

Habitual sin is INIQUITY

[@bloodboughtbigphilr8266]

So's any sin, habitual or otherwise.

[@MrKC23]

It's not PERFECTION but DIRECTION (John MacArthur)

[@bobbyjoe373]

this is not very reformed. if you struggle with sin you are not actually a christian.

[@redpilledcovfefe]

I've had a hip replaced and have pain. I used to use a lot of pills and ended up using heroin a few times. I got into the Methedone clinic and got clean 7 yrs ago. I use a little medical Marijuana and only prescribed meds since 2018 but I'm struggling a little but it is legal,used medically and I have a surgery that requires something for this pain. How do you feel about medical Marijuana since the Bible says what goes in a man doesn't defile Him but every word coming out of our mouths. I mean God did put cannibanoid receptors in our bodies a n d made the plant! We shouldn't smoke it but they have edibles with medical properties. If we took it like medicine orally would it be OK?! I'm praying for God's guidance and strength but would love your opinion on the subject. Thanks and God Bless You