Believers sin mainly due to unrenewed minds. The subject of sin is controversial among Christians. There is a school of thought that promotes the idea that believers cannot achieve sinless perfection because they still have the old nature. People who promote this idea cite Romans 7, which supposedly shows Paul struggling with sin. I consider this proposition erroneous because it ignores the assertions Paul makes in Romans 6, regarding believers’ victory over sin. The argument that believers have an old nature also contradicts 2 Corinthians 5:17. Just because believers engage in sin does not mean God’s word in Romans 6 (sin shall not dominate you) and Ephesians 2:10 (we’re created in Christ) is invalid. Sin in a believer’s life is due to various reasons.
Failure or refusal to be led by the Spirit-
Since salvation does not cut off our autonomy, a believer can deliberately refuse to obey the Holy Spirit. However, it should be noted that the true mark of salvation is the willingness to be led by the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14 says that “those led by the Spirit are the sons of God.” So, someone who repeatedly refuses or willfully disobeys the Holy Spirit’s leading cannot claim to be of God because our (Christ-like) nature is not meant to resist Him. It is compatible with the Holy Spirit. It is impossible to be truly born again and still continually disobey the Holy Spirit.
Inability to overcome temptations due to a weak character–
Some believers are still babies who are prone to the slightest temptations. Typically, every believer faces temptations but not everyone succumbs. Temptations usually come from our fleshly desires (James 1:14) or Satan. Believers whose minds are yet to undergo renewal tend to fall into temptations more easily.
Delays in the renewal of the mind (transformation, regeneration)-
Sin occurs partly due to slow progress in renewing the mind. The faster we undergo transformation, the easier it becomes for us to detect and avoid sin. Romans 12 exhorts to be renewed and not to conform to the worldly practices.
Lack of consciousness of their position in Christ-
Due to strange and misleading teachings, some believers remain convinced of their inability to overcome sin. Numerous scriptures show that we’re in Christ (Eph. 2:10), have dominion over sin, not the other way around (Romans 6), and that Christ lives in us (Gal.2:20). A believer without this knowledge will grapple with sin.
Ambivalence about particular sins–
Sometimes, sin happens when one has mixed feelings on whether something is sinful. For example, masturbation is a sin, but not everyone believes in its sinfulness. Ambivalence often occurs due to the lack of scriptures that explicitly confirm the sinfulness of some actions, yet the Holy Spirit is alive in us and can easily guide us on that.
Wrong company–
The people who surround us always influence our behaviors. If our friends are individuals with worldly views about sin, we will adopt their stance. In 1 Corinthians 15:33, Paul reminds us that wickedness can alter good character.
Exposure to the wrong information or content–
Our attention always influences us in everything we do. In Colossians 3, Paul asks us to “keep your eyes focused on the things above.” One principle of life is that what you pay attention to will undoubtedly shape your mindset and behavior. If our everyday lives revolve around hours of watching movies, listening to rude programs, viewing half-naked women dancing, or scrolling social media, we will perform acts closely influenced by the ideas we borrow from such content. In the end, we become hooked and find it hard to overcome sin. Fortunately, we can avoid any sin, including porn, by being careful about the content we consume.
In conclusion, it is not due to sin being too heavy or because God has not provided a permanent solution, but due to a lack of commitment to spiritual growth. Sin is no longer a problem to a believer since its power has been overcome.
