Why does a Christian Sin?

Have you ever wondered why as a Christian that you still sin, “live after the flesh” (Rom. 8:13 ASV)?

 Why does a Christian at times make choices and give themselves to old sinful patterns?

As Christians we are spiritually a “new man,” a new creation in Christ (2 Cor. 5:17) and yet we have old patterns of selfishness and sinfulness in the desires of the soul. These patterned propensities often present themselves at the most inopportune times offering us the “old ways” of doing things in sinful behavior that is contrary to the character of Christ. These subtleties of our selfishness seem to be endless and will manifest in various sinful ways. Paul refers to these “old ways” as flesh (Romans 7:5, 14, 18, 25; 8:3-8). We might define the flesh as the ways that we learned how to manage and operate our lives a part from God, (but never neutral), or “on our own,” but under the deception of Satan, acting out his sinful character.  

What would be some examples of the deceptiveness of the flesh? Have you noticed that when you are angry, that it might be a selfish response to the fact that you have been offended by someone or something? Flesh might disguise itself as you’re feeling to insist on being happy, which is nothing less than the sinful desire of entitlement, to have everything “go our way.” It’s fleshly when we find ourselves yielding to the temptation of boredom, which reveal the false belief that we expect life to always offer something new and exciting. What about our tendency to be critical, could it be the selfishly expectation that others should think and behave perfectly? When we worry or struggle with anxiety is it not our selfish denial that God is in control and capable of accomplishing His will in the midst of our mess? How often have we felt disappointed that something didn’t go as planned and that we have failed again, only to be tempted, “we should have done better?” When we give someone the “cold shoulder” by refusing to talk to them, (the silent treatment) is it not our selfishly thinking that the other person is wrong and therefore not worth relating to or communicating with. Or conversely, when we talk too much, (letting others have a piece of our mind) are we not demanding attention thinking of ourselves more highly than we ought? When we are consistently late to a meeting or an event, it may be because we selfishly think that others’ time is not as important as ours, and that punctually only applies to others. When we find ourselves gluttonous by over-indulgence or over-consumption of food, or drink, is it not because of sinful fleshly desires that think our tastes and appetites should be satisfied to the fullest?  These are but a few examples of “living after the flesh” (Romans 8:13 ASV).

It is vitally important that a Christian understand who they are in Christ and not give themselves to the fleshly patterns recorded in the soul. Although we acknowledge we have these selfish fleshly tendencies which we will be tempted by, the Christians focus must be Christ! As Jesus said in John 6:63, “It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life.” 

The Christian is no longer identified as a “sinner” (Rom. 5:19), for his new spiritual identity is that of a “saint” (Eph. 4:12). The Christian is “dead to sin” (Rom. 6:2, 11) and no longer a “slave to sin” (Rom. 6:17), which means that sin has no power over us and no right to reign as master in our lives.

Live as Paul declares and testifies, “For to me, to live is Christ” (Phil. 1:21).

(The presiding article was adapted from James A. Fowler’s book, “Christ at work in You”)