Is THIS a Sin?? ... Can it Ever Be? - Page 8

SDG · #71 06-16-2008, 10:01 AM

And yet the bible still tells us that w/o faith it is impossible to please God.

Please don't misconstrue my postings on this subject to be glorifying doubt (as one wouldn't glorify other emotions such as anger, depression)... I'm simply trying to define it ... and it's role in our life as believers. It can become hope and when we turn it over to Jesus .... he can place in us faith in Him... the conviction of things not seen .... the substance of things hoped for.

I just feel we don't see the benefit our having doubts .... and that we mistake doubt w/ unbelief.

Doubt still means there is a chance.

There are way too many Apostolics living this Spirit-filled walk w/ dour "GAME-FACE" expressions on their countenance trying to conceal their normal range of emotions as not to show their human frailties for fear of disapproval by their peers.

The truth is ... in our humanity we struggle w/ these things. Yet, the joy of the Lord is my strength ... in my weakness ... He is made strong.

God will not condemn us for our doubt and anxiety ... He simply asks, in his eternal Fatherly love, that we bring it to him .... casting our cares upon him.

We see the ultimate example of this when Jesus brings his doubts and anxieties in desperation to the Father at the Garden ... and even the cross.

Surely his doubt, anxiety, sadness, agony is not counted to him as sin ... since The Lamb was without sin or blemish.

Mark 16:16 (b) says .... but he that believes not (unbelief) shall be damned.

DAII · #72 01-15-2010, 11:51 AM

Bump for Jeffrey.

Aquila · #73 01-15-2010, 11:53 AM

I don't think it is a sin. However, I do believe that it is spiritually unhealthy to be consumed with anxiety.

Jeffrey · #74 01-15-2010, 11:58 AM

Unrepented sin can cause it, or continual distrust in Jesus -- can certainly lead to sin.

missourimary · #75 01-15-2010, 12:43 PM

I've heard fear is sin, that due to verses like these:
1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

Romans 8:15 For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father.

I disagree, but have heard the statement.

Timmy · #76 01-15-2010, 12:51 PM

Oh, great. As if there aren't enough reasons to be afraid of God's wrath, now I have to worry about worrying!

Jeffrey · #77 01-15-2010, 12:57 PM

Nothing to worry about at all. Just like the basketball player doesn't fret the rules and mechanics of the game. He just plays it. We just live it.

There are circumstances that cause anxiety, and it's important to know that's not God's will for us to have anxiety. It's not a "worry." It's a beautiful thing that He wants us to "cast all our cares upon Him."

You're on a roll lately.

missourimary · #78 01-15-2010, 12:59 PM

I slipped right into that one... Pastor was saying something, and my response is (as figure of speech) "I'm afraid that..." Whew! I learned not to say that!!

Orthodoxy · #79 01-15-2010, 01:18 PM

I believe anxiety is a sin....in fact, it is (unfortunately) one of my most besetting sins. Due to personal circumstances, I have been very prone to anxiety lately.

"Be anxious for nothing..." That sounds like a command to me. See also Matthew 6:25-34.

Simply because something may be hereditary or genetic, does not necessarily mean it is not sin. Some people may be more genetically prone to worry....or lust....or lose their temper....or murder. But that doesn't take them off the hook. We live in a cursed world, and our genetic temperaments are no exception.