Lordship of Sinful Nature

This is perhaps the most devious and foundational of all the heresies. For it flies directly in the face of our precious Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Through this doctrine the apostate churches declare that famous phrase “I can’t help but sin as long as I’m in the body“. But if you sin in your own body, you also join Christ’s sacred body with the sin. For Paul declares:

Now the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord; and the Lord for the body. 14 And God hath both raised up the Lord, and will also raise up us by his own power. 15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. 17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit. 18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. 19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Corinthians 6.13b-20

Does this sound like Paul is telling the Christians at Corinth that they will sin as long as they are in their bodies? NO! “Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s!” Your body and spirit belong to God. Therefore glorify Him in them. Do not sin!

Paul

34 Awake to righteousness, and SIN NOT! For some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.

1 Corinthians 15.34

Just by that verse alone we establish that not only is it possible to stop sinning, but it is commanded!

So that you may see that it is not some mistranslation or isolated verse that says this, here are other places in the New Testament that testify to us today that it is possible and expected that we stop sinning.

Jesus

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.

John 5.14

In the Greek it records Jesus as saying, “You must not sin anymore!” And Jesus gives a stiff warning in light of the fact that this man had just been healed by Jesus of a 38-year infirmity.

Jesus

11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. 12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

John 8.11-12

Notice that right after Jesus tells the woman that she must not sin anymore, that he talks about men no longer walking in darkness. Walking is always associated with how we live our lives on a daily basis. And darkness is always identified as the place for those who are sinning. In John 3 Jesus says the same:

and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved.

John 3.19b-20

John

1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. 3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 2.1-6

In 1 John 2 people breeze right past the opening line in verse 1 and rush to the second half of that verse. They do that because they are searching for an allowance for them to sin, just in case they choose not to stop. But the first half says why John is writing the letter in regards to the infants in the faith. Notice that this is not about the fathers in the faith who have been walking a long time in the LORD, nor about the young men who also are not new to the faith. John is telling the NEW CHRISTIANS that they are expected to stop sinning. Also, when you read 6, then you know the truth about whether you can and should stop sinning. How can you sin and be walking just as Jesus walked? Jesus never sinned. Stop sinning.

Peter

14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of behaviour; 16 Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy. 17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of persons judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.

1 Peter 1.14-17

Here in 1 Peter holy means literally terrifyingly clean. It does not mean as many of the apostate preachers preach in error set apart. No. Terrifyingly clean.

Author of Hebrews

26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Hebrews 10.26-31

This is a terrifying passage. And you think that you cannot stop sinning or that you do not have to? You cannot hold that stand after reading this.

Author of Hebrews

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, 5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, 6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.

Hebrews 6.4-6

This passage is nearly as terrifying as the one in chapter ten of Hebrews. Stop sinning.

1 John 1.5-2.1

God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

Walking in Darkness of Sinful Actions

Walking in Light of Righteous Actions

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness,

we lie,

and do not the truth

if we walk in the light, as he is in the light,

we have fellowship one with another,

and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

If we say that we have no sin,

we deceive ourselves,

and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins,

he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

If we say that we have not sinned,

we make him a liar,

and his word is not in us.

My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not.

And if any man sin,

we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous

Here in 1 John 1 we see the device John was using to contrast two kinds of Christians, The first is sinful and not really a Christian. The second stops his sin and is cleansed of his sins and has fellowship with the Father and with others who have done the same. His sins are forgiven. The one still sinning cannot claim to have fellowship with God without lying. He does not do the truth, as he is still sinning. If the one still sinning claims to not have sin, he is self-deceived and the truth is not in him. These cannot apply to the one who has stopped sinning. Also, you cannot stop sinning and still be sinning. You cannot be in God, where there is no darkness at all, and also be walking in darkness! If you claim to be in God and you are still sinning you are a liar. We who are in God have stopped sinning and are walking in light just as He is in the light. You are either walking in darkness or you are walking in light with your daily actions. Stop sinning.

16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. 19 I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. 20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. 21 What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. 22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

Romans 6.16-22

Yield yourself servants of righteousness and stop sinning!

Jesus

No man can serve two masters.

Matthew 6.24a

People in the Bible Commended as Righteous, Perfect, Just, God-fearing, Holy, Upright

Righteous Abel

Hebrews 11.4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

Matthew 23.35 That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar.

1 John 3.12 Not as Cain, who was of that wicked one, and slew his brother. And wherefore slew he him? Because his own works were evil, and his brother’s righteous.

Perfect, Upright, & God-fearing Job [Eschewing evil]

Job 1.1 There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil.

Job 1.8 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Job 2.3 And the Lord said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?

Just, Perfect & Righteous Noah

Genesis 6.9 These are the generations of Noah: Noah was a just man and perfect in his generations, and Noah walked with God.

Genesis 7.1 And the Lord said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Just, Righteous & Godly Lot

2 Peter 2.7 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy behaviour of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished

Righteous Noah, Daniel, & Job

Ezekiel 14.12 The word of the Lord came again to me, saying, 13 Son of man, when the land sinneth against me by trespassing grievously, then will I stretch out mine hand upon it, and will break the staff of the bread thereof, and will send famine upon it, and will cut off man and beast from it: 14 Though these three men, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, they should deliver but their own souls by their righteousness, saith the Lord God. 15 If I cause noisome beasts to pass through the land, and they spoil it, so that it be desolate, that no man may pass through because of the beasts: 16 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters; they only shall be delivered, but the land shall be desolate. 17 Or if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Sword, go through the land; so that I cut off man and beast from it: 18 Though these three men were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither sons nor daughters, but they only shall be delivered themselves. 19 Or if I send a pestilence into that land, and pour out my fury upon it in blood, to cut off from it man and beast: 20 Though Noah, Daniel, and Job, were in it, as I live, saith the Lord God, they shall deliver neither son nor daughter; they shall but deliver their own souls by their righteousness. 21 For thus saith the Lord God; How much more when I send my four sore judgments upon Jerusalem, the sword, and the famine, and the noisome beast, and the pestilence, to cut off from it man and beast?

Toilers of Righteousness: Gedeon, Barak, Samson, Jephthae,, David, Samuel, & the Prophets

Hebrews 11.32 And what shall I more say? for the time would fail me to tell of Gedeon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae; of David also, and Samuel, and of the prophets: 33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens.

Righteous King Melchisedec

Hebrews 7.1 For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him; 2 To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace

Perfect-hearted King Asa of Judah

1 Kings 15.14 But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the Lord all his days

Perfect King of Tyrus

Ezekiel 28.15 Thou wast perfect in thy ways from the day that thou wast created, till iniquity was found in thee.

Righteous & Blameless Zacharias and Elizabeth

Luke 1.5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judæa, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

Just & Devout Simeon

Luke 2.25 And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him.

Just Joseph

Matthew 1.19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

Just & Holy John the Baptist

Mark 6.20 For Herod feared John, knowing that he was a just man and an holy, and observed him; and when he heard him, he did many things, and heard him gladly.

Good & Just Joseph of Arimathea

Luke 23.50 And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: 51 (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathæa, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God.

Just & God-fearing Cornelius [of Good report]

Acts 10.22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man, and one that feareth God, and of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by an holy angel to send for thee into his house, and to hear words of thee.

Jesus Came to Destroy Sin in Us

1 John3.3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him. 7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous. 8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Stop sinning.

Lordship of Sinful Nature