The question of whether Christians sin is an important one for believers to understand. The Bible has much to say on this topic, providing insight into the nature of sin, God’s standard of holiness, and the ongoing struggle Christians face with temptation and sinful desires.
First, it is clear from Scripture that all people, including Christians, have a sinful nature (Romans 3:23). When Adam and Eve first disobeyed God, sin entered the human experience, marring the image of God in mankind. This means that a bent toward sin is part of every person’s inherent nature.
The Bible also teaches that God’s standard is complete holiness and perfection (1 Peter 1:16). He is completely set apart from sin and evil. This presents a problem for sinful human beings who desire a relationship with a holy God. God cannot overlook or excuse sin, or He would be compromising His righteous character.
When someone becomes a Christian, he or she is declared righteous before God, not on the basis of their own merit, but because of Christ’s sacrifice which paid the penalty for sin (Romans 5:1). So a Christian is freed from the penalty of sin and has a new status before God (Romans 8:1).
However, the Bible is clear that Christians still struggle with sin. 1 John 1:8 says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” Becoming a Christian does not automatically make someone perfect or unable to sin.
The spiritual growth process for a believer involves becoming more like Christ over time. This means that Christians will still face temptation, and at times will still give in to sinful desires. Examples of this struggle can be seen in Bible characters like David and Peter, great men of faith who sinned grievously at certain points (2 Samuel 11; Luke 22:54-62).
The difference for Christians is that they now have the indwelling Holy Spirit who convicts them of sin and enables them to resist temptation (Galatians 5:16-17). When Christians do give in to sin, they can confess it and receive forgiveness and cleansing from God (1 John 1:9). Whereas nonbelievers persist in sin as a way of life, Christians are called to fight against sinful desires out of love for God.
An important distinction regarding Christians and sin has to do with willful, unrepentant sin versus struggling and stumbling into sin. 1 John 3:6-9 indicates that a genuine Christian will not live in habitual, unrepentant sin. If a professed believer is indifferent to sin or knowingly persists in sin, it is likely they do not truly know God.
In summary, the Bible teaches that Christians do still sin at times. Becoming a Christian does not automatically make someone perfect. However, true believers will feel grieved and convicted over their sin, and will confession it and repent through the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit. They will strive against the desire to sin, even if they occasionally stumble. The process of sanctification means Christians become increasingly oriented toward God and away from sin. But due to the ongoing struggle with sin in this life, Christians await the redemption of the body and complete deliverance from the presence of sin (Romans 8:23).
The Universality of Sin
The Bible clearly teaches that all people are sinners. Romans 3:23 states that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Psalm 14:3 declares that “there is no one who does good, not even one.” These verses and many others make it clear that sin is universal to the human condition.
Sin entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, as described in Genesis 3. Prior to their rebellion against God’s command, creation was perfect and without sin. Once sin entered the equation, it corrupted all of mankind and created a separation between God and humans (Isaiah 59:2). The sin nature is passed down from generation to generation, as evidenced by Genesis 8:21 which says that man’s heart is evil from his youth.
Some of the Biblical evidence that all people are sinners by nature includes:
- People are lawbreakers (1 John 3:4)
- People are unable to meet God’s perfect standard (Romans 3:20)
- People are under the control of the sinful nature (Ephesians 2:3)
- The human heart is deceitful and wicked (Jeremiah 17:9)
- All have turned away from God (Isaiah 53:6)
The universality of sin explains why everyone needs salvation through Jesus Christ. There is no way for people to earn salvation or restore their own fellowship with God. Only through faith in Christ’s atoning work on the cross can that relationship be reconciled. That salvation is offered as a free gift to any who place their faith in Christ.
God’s Standard of Holiness
Not only does the Bible teach that all are sinners, but it also makes clear that God’s standard for humanity is absolute perfection and holiness. 1 Peter 1:16 quotes the Old Testament command, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” Over and over the Bible declares that the God of the universe is completely set apart from sin, evil, corruption, and wrongdoing of any kind.
That means that God cannot simply overlook or excuse human sin. He is a God of justice as well as love, and sin demands a just payment for the offense it causes. God’s wrath and judgment are directed toward sin because it runs counter to His holy nature (Romans 1:18).
Furthermore, God’s standard for those who desire relationship with Him is nothing short of moral perfection. Matthew 5:48 records Jesus saying, “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The good news of the gospel is that this perfection is found in Christ. Through faith in Him, His perfect record is credited to those who believe.
But the holiness of God means He cannot excuse or justify sin. He provided the means of redemption in Christ, but will still judge those who reject God’s provision for salvation. Attempts to earn salvation through good works will fall short, because nothing we offer can meet God’s perfect standard (Isaiah 64:6).
Thankfully, those who place their faith in Christ are covered by His righteousness. Their sins are washed away and seen by the Father through the lens of Christ’s perfection (2 Corinthians 5:21). Otherwise, none could ever meet the standard of holiness necessary to be accepted by God.
The Christian’s New Status Before God
When someone trusts in Christ for salvation, there is a radical change in status from the old self to the new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” This change in status has implications for the question of whether Christians continue to sin.
In God’s sight, the sins of a Christian are completely forgiven. Romans 4:7-8 says, “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man against whom the Lord will not count his sin.” The believer’s sins have been paid for by the blood of Christ (1 Peter 1:18-19).
Furthermore, the Christian is made perfectly righteous in God’s sight. 2 Corinthians 5:21 states, “For our sake he [God] made him [Christ] to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” Though still morally imperfect, the Christian is seen as positionally perfect before God.
This new status results in a changed relationship. Romans 5:1-2 teaches, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Peace with God and access to His grace are powerful new realities.
Because of their new position in Christ, Christians are also freed from the penalty of sin. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Eternal punishment for sin has been assumed by Christ for those who are united to Him by faith.
This new status should motivate Christians to fight against sin, even though they will continue to struggle with it. Out of gratitude for God’s grace, believers strive to honor Him with their lives.
Christians Still Struggle with Sin
While Scripture teaches that Christians have a new status before God and are new creations in Christ, it also makes clear that they will continue to be affected by sin in this life. Though their eternal penalty has been paid, they still battle daily sins and temptations.
One of the clearest passages about the ongoing struggle with sin in the believer’s life is Romans 7:14-25. The Apostle Paul describes wanting to do good but sometimes giving in to sin. He concludes that he wages war against sin inhabiting him.
1 John 1:8 is also very direct: “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” Verse 10 adds, “If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” The habitual nature of sin is an ever-present reality.
Examples of prominent believers who sinned grievously include King David’s adultery and murder (2 Samuel 11), Peter denying Christ (Mark 14:66-72), and the divisions and immorality of the Corinthian church (1 Corinthians 1, 3 and 5). The struggle was evident even in mature New Testament churches.
This does not absolve Christians of responsibility for their actions. Scripture calls them to fight against sin and pursue holiness through the empowering of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:3-14). But the fact remains that Christians still sin and battle daily with the flesh versus the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17). Sanctification is a process.
Willful Sin versus Struggling and Stumbling
An important distinction to make in relation to Christians and sin is between willful, unrepentant sin versus struggling and occasionally stumbling into sin.
First John 3:6-9 indicates that a genuine Christian will not persist in a sinful lifestyle. Verse 6 says, “No one who abides in him [Christ] keeps on sinning; no one who keeps on sinning has either seen him or known him.” Verse 9 states, “No one born of God makes a practice of sinning, for God’s seed abides in him, and he cannot keep on sinning because he has been born of God.”
This contrasts with the normal struggles believers have with sin, mentioned previously. When a professed Christian is indifferent toward unrepentant sin or knowingly persists in sin, it brings their salvation into question. A true believer will be grieved over their sin, convicted by the Holy Spirit, and will confession and repent.
On the other hand, Christians do still stumble into sin on occasion, as previously mentioned. Examples include anger, lust, jealousy, and pride. But true believers recognize these failures, ask God’s forgiveness, and rely on His grace to get back on the right path. They do not settle for sin as normal and acceptable.
Philippians 3:12-14 provides a picture of this struggle and process: “Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own… Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”
So an unrepentant indulgence in sin should cause someone to examine if they truly belong to Christ. But experiencing true repentance and sorrow over sin is a sign that God’s Spirit is at work producing holiness and redemption.
Awaiting the Redemption of Our Bodies
Given that Christians continue to battle sin while looking forward to eternity, what is the resolution from this struggle? Romans 8:23 provides insight: “And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.”
The complete redemption of believers involves both spirit and body. Upon putting faith in Christ, the human spirit is regenerated and partially renewed (Titus 3:5). But the physical body is still prone to disease, decay, and the effects of sin. Romans 8:23 shows that Christians look ahead to the full redemption of their bodies at the resurrection.
At Christ’s second coming, the bodies of believers who have died will be raised and their perishable bodies will become imperishable. For Christians still living at His return, they will be instantly changed and receive resurrection bodies (1 Corinthians 15:51-54).
Philippians 3:20-21 describes this transformation: “…but our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”
Free forever from the presence and effects of sin, Christians will inhabit the new heavens and new earth in fellowship with God for eternity (Revelation 21:1-7). While still living on earth, believers eagerly await the final elimination of sin in their lives and bodies.
Key Points
- All people, including Christians, have a sinful nature.
- God’s standard is absolute holiness.
- When someone becomes a Christian, they are declared righteous before God on the basis of Christ’s sacrifice.
- Christians are freed from the penalty of sin but still struggle with sinful desires.
- Examples throughout Scripture show believers sometimes fall into sin.
- True Christians will confess their sins, repent, and increasingly seek to honor God.
- At Christ’s return, the redemption of believers’ bodies will free them forever from the presence of sin.
In conclusion, Scripture teaches that Christians do still sin, but should not persist in it. Becoming a believer does not automatically end sin’s influence. However, true Christians will fight sin through repentance and the Spirit’s power. They await the coming resurrection where sin will be eradicated once for all.