35 Reasons not to Sin

Jim Elliff of Christian Communications Worldwide compiled a very insightful list of 35 Reasons Not to Sin. Take some time and read over this list. If one item causes you to stop and ponder, think on that reason and be ready as you go about your day of the affect your sin (and mine) have on ourselves, on others, and most especially – the Holy Spirit of God.

1. Because a little sin leads to more sin
2. Because my sin invites the discipline of God.
3. Because the time spent in sin is forever wasted.
4. Because my sin never pleases but always grieves God who loves me.
5. Because my sin places a greater burden on my spiritual leaders.
6. Because in time my sin always brings heaviness to my heart.
7. Because I am doing what I do not have to do.
8. Because my sin always makes me less than what I could be.
9. Because others, including my family, suffer consequences due to my sin.
10. Because my sin saddens the godly.
11. Because my sin makes the enemies of God rejoice.
12. Because sin deceives me into believing I have gained when in reality I have lost.
13. Because sin may keep me from qualifying for spiritual leadership.
14. Because the supposed benefits of my sin will never outweigh the consequences of disobedience.
15. Because repenting of my sin is such a painful process, yet I must repent.
16. Because sin is a very brief pleasure for an eternal loss.
17. Because my sin may influence others to sin.
18. Because my sin may keep others from knowing Christ.
19. Because sin makes light of the cross, upon which Christ died for the very purpose of taking away my sin.
20. Because it is impossible to sin and follow the Spirit at the same time.
21. Because God chooses not to respect the prayers of those who cherish their sin.
22. Because sin steals my reputation and robs me of my testimony.
23. Because others once more earnest than I have been destroyed by just such sins.
24. Because the inhabitants of heaven and hell would all testify to the foolishness of this sin.
25. Because sin and guilt may harm both mind and body.
26. Because sins mixed with service make the things of God tasteless.
27. Because suffering for sin has no joy or reward, though suffering for righteousness has both.
28. Because my sin is adultery with the world.
29. Because I will review this very sin at the Judgment Seat where loss and gain of eternal rewards are applied.
30. Because I can never really know ahead of time just how severe the discipline for my sin might be.
31. Because my sin may be an indication of a lost condition.
32. Because to sin is not to love Christ.
33. Because my unwillingness to reject this sin now grants it an authority over me greater than I wish to believe.
34. Because sin glorifies God only in His judgment of it, never because it is worth anything on its own.
35. Because I promised God He would be Lord of my life.

Hi,

In this physical life we will not be perfect in our behavior. But as we grow in Christ we often do see improvements. And should we do wrong we won't profit by it. God disciplines us, like He did for King David.

But this imperfect behavior is not 'sin' strictly speaking. If it was then a Christian's penalty would be death.

How we define "sin" is important. It helps us understand scripture.
Unfortunately man's traditional definitions of "sin" are ambiguous.
Instead, God has given us definitions which are the only ones to use to understand scripture.

God’s definitions of sin are basically covered by the following examples:

1: Mark 3:29 Blasphemy of the Holy Spirit. This sin will not be forgiven. Christians do not commit this sin.

2: John 16:9 Unbelief in Jesus. This is the sin the world is convicted of. Christians do not commit this sin either.

3: 1John5:17 “all unrighteousness is sin”. Christians are righteous in Christ so here we do not sin.

4: 1John3:4 “Sin is transgression of the law”. This is breaking the 10 commandments resulting in a death penalty for transgression.
Christians cannot be accused of sin here as we are not under the law of sin and death.
The law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus sets free from the law of sin and death, (Rom 8:2).
Regarding the law of sin and death it should be noted that:
“whatever the law says it says to those who are under it” (Rom 3:19).
“the law was not made for a righteous person (Christians), but for…the ungodly and for sinners” (1Tim 1:9).
“where there is no law there is no transgression (SIN)” (Rom 4:15).

We know sin was dealt with once and for all on the cross.
And “Our old man is crucified with Christ, that the body of sin might be destroyed” Rom 6:6.
Hence we see in 1Pet 4:1 “Therefore, since Christ suffered (crucified) for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind (our old man crucified with him. Rom 6:6), for he who has suffered in the flesh (Rom 6:6) has ceased from sin”.

And note Rom 3:25: "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past,"
It was only our past sins that were forgiven. That means there is no more forgiveness of sin after this as sin was finally dealt with.
And this is confirmed by the following scriptures:
1Pet 4:1 that we have 'ceased from sin'.
1John3:9 “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed (Christ) remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God”.
Rom 6:2 asks “How shall we that are dead to sin, live in it any longer?”.

Finally, consider 1Pet 4:18 “If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and sinner appear”.
Clearly there are 2 different groups described here.
Group 1: Righteous (and saved).
Group 2: Ungodly/Sinner (unsaved).
Either we are righteous (in Christ) OR we are sinners. We can't be both.

Truly Jesus set us free from sin (John 8:36). Now, no more sin remains unless we fall away into unbelief.
As unbelief in Jesus is the sin (John 16:9) the world is convicted of, this is the only 'sin' there is to avoid.
Reason to avoid sin? Death.

One more reason not to sin, and for me, it is the number one reason not to sin:

36. Because it please Jesus that i don't.

^i^

Originally Posted by Barny

Hi,

In this physical life we will not be perfect in our behavior. But as we grow in Christ we often do see improvements. And should we do wrong we won't profit by it. God disciplines us, like He did for King David.

i understand what you are saying here, and you have a right to believe it, but as for me, i will have to believe the Word of God and what it teaches:

• I Kings 15:5 Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
  

• James 3:2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

So it must be possible, if the Bible says there is such a person.

• II Peter 2:14 Having eyes full of adultery, (lusting with the eyes) and that cannot cease from sin; (they don’t think it is possible) beguiling unstable souls: (by teaching others that it is not possible) an heart they have exercised with covetous practices; (all sin knowingly and willingly committed is selfishness) cursed children: 15 Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam (the devil) the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
  

• Jude 1:24 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,
  

• Matthew 6:13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: … … … …

So Jesus is the one that helps us to NOT knowingly and willingly commit sins. He is our Strength and Power against temptation.

• I Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer (permit) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

• I Corinthians 15:34 Awake to righteousness, and SIN NOT; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

• John 8:11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

• John 5:14 Afterward Jesus findeth him in the temple, and said unto him, Behold, thou art made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come unto thee.

• I John 3:6 Whosoever abideth in Him (Jesus) sinneth not: whosoever (knowingly and willingly) sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

• Ephesians 6:11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

• I Peter 1:16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

So it seems to me, that Scriptures teaches it is possible to be perfect in our behavior, if Christ is truly in us, and He gives us that power to do so. therefore i will choose to believe the Word of God.

^i^

Originally Posted by DiscipleDave

So it seems to me, that Scriptures teaches it is possible to be perfect in our behavior, if Christ is truly in us, and He gives us that power to do so. therefore i will choose to believe the Word of God.

[SIZE=1]^i^

Hi DiscipleDave,

Seems that we differ in understanding of scriptures.

Presumably you believe you are 'perfect' in behavior, as your doctrine claims we should be?

But your doctrine suggests God is unjust.
The thief on the cross who called Jesus 'Lord' was saved without any need for perfect behavior as proof. Yet according to your doctrine we who live on after coming to Christ must do more by showing a lifestyle of perfect behavior as evidence that we are saved. Two very different paths to the Kingdom of God.
I hope you can see the problem here. The doctrine you suggest is righteousness by works and not by faith.

I think these 35 points can be summed up in one statement: We should not sin because habitual sin is a roadblock to relationship with God and hence to our salvation.

SLE