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”)

What is Christian counseling?

To those seeking counsel for situations in their lives, the question must be asked: What kind of counsel are you receiving? Is it focused on you and your problems or on Christ and His Life?

Many individuals seek help from a wide variety of counselors and therapists today. How do they differ? What is a Christ-centered biblical approach?

The following is a brief example of the counsel that we share at CrossLife Ministries. Whether in person or via the internet, Skype, text, email or phone calls, we communicate the love of Christ in the context of a non-condemning message of grace.

Recently a Christian leader inquired, “How does one deal with anger issues,” which he struggled with, and which on occasion would lead to rage affecting his marriage and ministry.

He had received “Christian counseling” that focused on psychologically understanding himself better, and in particular his emotions. He was counseled that the root of his problem was emotional. The counseling was directed at helping him to better understand his emotions/feelings, so that he might be able to discern what those feelings were intended for, and then give them a healthy expression rather than unhealthy expressions.

It was suggested to him that he would need long-term addiction counseling to conquer this problem, and that the counseling and therapy would be directed primarily toward dealing with “emotional pain.” By getting “in touch” with his emotional pain, he would allegedly find the answer to dealing with his addiction to rage.

He contacted me after having received this counsel, asking if I would advise him to continue in the therapy, and whether I though additional counsel would be helpful. (The treatment for 3 days had cost $5,000.00 and he was now being advised to do a nine-month program, which I am not sure of the cost?).  

In sharing my response, it is hoped that others will realize that Christ and Christ alone is sufficient for every problem we have or will face, and that unless we receive a revelation of Christ as our life we will never learn to live in victory regardless of our struggle with behavioral dysfunction. 

A CrossLife response:

Dear _________

As helpful as learning to express your emotions might be, and learning you’re not the only one with emotional challenges, and as a result there is not something wrong with you, there is more, "...much more, …we shall be saved by His life" (Romans 5:10).

True “life” experience is more than psychological functionality – knowing how to sort out all your thoughts and feelings and expressions (of the will). Important as that is, if that is the primary basis (and function) of who you are, it all depends upon YOU (learning to express your feelings), rather than Christ as your life and learning to walk by faith in spite of your feelings. 

There is a HUGE contrast in the focal point between humanism and Christianity. In humanism man is the center, "the point of reference," (therefore everything depends on him – YOU); in Christianity – Christ is the center (everything depends on God). There is nothing wrong with feelings (God created you an emotional creature); they are always indicators of what you are thinking and potentially believing (that however is a choice). It's fine to allow Christ to reveal your soulical "variations” and why you have felt the way you have felt (understanding rejective memories), (why you rage, get angry, and what you use to mask your "addiction", alcohol), but understanding who you are in Christ and learning to function in your identity is not centered on yourself or your psychological feelings, or even your flesh patterns of dependency. Yes, let Christ help you process them, identify false thinking i.e. lies, but then choose to allow His truthful revelation, hearing His voice rather than "the voice of the emotions," remind you of “who you are” and “how you are to behave” consistent with the character of Christ as your life expresses your true identity. 

The safe place you felt (counseling center, counseling approach or counselor) should never be seen in a “person or place" other than Christ Himself (do not attribute the work of God to a process or place apart from Christ as the means of grace). If your "mind" focuses on anything other than Jesus as the source of your feeling safe, you are focusing on an idol. The greatest idolatry is humanism (self-reference), regardless how man has explained it or couched it. Identity is focused on who God is and who He created you to be, and you have to allow Him and His character to be your chosen expressions of behavior. 

No one can teach you how to walk by faith and no one can imitate God’s character. Faith is the receptivity of God's activity. Faith is you hearing God and participating with His grace activity. Faith is you allowing for His character to be acted out through you even when you feel like “raging”. Faith is learning to "touch" the “unseen” and eternal, not your emotions. Because all you have known is an emotionally fleshly reaction to the seen which focused on circumstances. Walking by faith is an “unseen reality” of Christ as your life. Until you choose to depend on Christ in the moment (faith) and experience His character of grace, the fruit of the spirit, love joy, gentleness, kindness, understanding and the Godly control of self, you will most likely continue to walk after the flesh which has been angry and full of rage. That's why Paul wrote, “we walk by faith, not by sight” (2 Cor. 5:7).

You need to be careful that psychological counseling does not cause you to become more self-conscious than you already are. Biblical Christ-centered healthy counseling or therapy should always cause you to walk away more Christ conscious (in awe and in worth-ship of Him) rather than self-conscious (soulically conscious or emotionally conscious). The problem is that you can and have become much more in touch with your soul than your spirit. Being a Christ-one is not primarily a psychological reality. Man has always focused on the soul, rather than the spirit, on your thinking, your emotions, and your will, which you are far more familiar with than you are the spirit realm (unseen). It is vitally important to “listen under” (the meaning of New Testament – “obedience”) the Spirit of Christ and what He is saying to you. Nothing should substitute “hearing the voice of God” and walking by faith (John 10:27 “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me”). Christ is your life – NOT a better understanding of your emotions and how to relate to them. 

It is a matter of your "Point of Reference." Who is the beginning point; who is the starting point; who is the pivot point – Christ or your emotions?  Christ is the Alpha and Omega, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end” (Rev. 22:13). Christ is to be the basis of your functioning spiritually, psychologically and physiologically as He intended – NOT you’re best effects to understand yourself emotionally or your best effects not to rage again.  

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (Matthew 11:28-30).

I hope these thoughts prove to be helpful as God in Christ Jesus reveals Himself to you, as He is your only ability to experience LIFE. Keep in touch.

Your brother in Christ, Don Burzynski, 

CrossLife Counseling, Vero Beach, Florida 

www.cross-life.org  

© 2015 Don Burzynski