Why do Christians still sin after salvation?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible teaches that sin entered the world through Adam, who disobeyed God’s direct command not to eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:17; 3:6; Romans 5:12). From that point on, all humanity has been born in sin (Romans 5:12). The Old Testament recounts God choosing a people—the Israelites—and giving them laws, many of which were to atone for their sins (Exodus 30:10; Numbers 15:28; Leviticus 4; 5; 16:29–30; 17:11). Several books of the Old Testament record the Israelites’ repeated failure to keep the Law, despite many warnings and punishments from God. All of this pointed toward the need for a Savior (Galatians 3:24; Hebrews 9:13–14; 10:1). Christ’s death on the cross ensures that believers are covered in His righteousness (Ephesians 2:4–10). As we are still in the flesh, though, we are still vulnerable to sinning (Matthew 26:41; Romans 7:14–25). The Bible teaches us that we cannot, in our own strength, save ourselves from sin; we are saved by grace through faith in Christ (Romans 7:25). When we accept Christ as savior, we receive a Helper in the indwelling Holy Spirit (John 14:16–17; Acts 2:38). We are also strengthened through prayer (Ephesians 6:18; Philippians 4:6–7), knowledge of God’s Word (2 Timothy 3:16–17), and fellowship with other believers (Hebrews 10:24–25; James 5:16). Christians may still fall into sin, but our lives should not be characterized by sin (Romans 6:1–2; Galatians 5:16–17; 1 John 3:6).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• Genesis 3:6 records how sin entered the world: “So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate.” Adam, as head of the first human household and recipient of God’s direct command, was held responsible for introducing sin into humanity (Romans 5:12).
• Leviticus 4 and 5 discuss God’s provisions in the Mosaic Law for unintentional and intentional sin. Leviticus 5:17–18 says, “If anyone sins, doing any of the things that by the LORD's commandments ought not to be done, though he did not know it, then realizes his guilt, he shall bear his iniquity. He shall bring to the priest a ram without blemish out of the flock, or its equivalent, for a guilt offering, and the priest shall make atonement for him for the mistake that he made unintentionally, and he shall be forgiven.” The Law was provisional until Christ became the ultimate sacrifice for all sin.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Romans 7:21–23 shows that even Paul, who devoted his life to the gospel, still struggled with sin: “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members.” He goes on to write, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (v. 25) for freeing him and all believers from eternal damnation because of our failure to maintain righteousness. All believers are redeemed through Christ.
• Philippians 1:6 suggests that God works in our lives to make us Christ-like: “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” That “good work” God began is the process of sanctifying us while on this earth. Until we’re resurrected, believers will struggle with sin, but we are helped by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:16).
• Ephesians 6:11 shows that sin is still a battle for believers but that we can conquer it through the means God has provided: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.” Though we are no longer “slaves of sin” (Romans 6:17), we are still Satan’s target (1 Peter 5:8) and must guard against that.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

“Be good”—mothers say that to kids when sending them off from home. Adults say it to other adults, usually with a sly wink that gives the advice a different meaning. In either case, those words aren’t likely to carry much weight. That’s because it’s too easy to “be bad.” Even a person with the nicest temperament can’t be that way all the time. But Christians become “new creations” when we accept Christ as savior (2 Corinthians 5:17). We’re covered in Christ’s righteousness before the Father. God works in our lives, through the Holy Spirit, to conform us to the image of His Son. We are butterflies but are still confined in our cocoons. Are you a Christian who wants to “be good” but still falls into sin? If so, are you praying about it, meditating on God’s Word daily, and getting support from your church? God has given us the means to defeat sin and has promised not to allow more temptation than we can bear (1 Corinthians 10:13). We have the tools to overcome the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil. We must use them. Christians may still fall into sin, but our lives should not be characterized by sin (Romans 6:1–2; Galatians 5:16–17; 1 John 3:6).

UNDERSTAND

• Christians still sin due to their mortal nature.
• Christians’ lives should not be defined by sin, as they are empowered by Christ’s righteousness.
• Believers can overcome sin through the Holy Spirit, Scripture, prayer, and community.

REFLECT

• How does the realization that sin is still a battle for Christians impact your view of spiritual growth?
• What role do prayer, Scripture, and community play in helping you overcome personal struggles with sin?
• How can you recognize your sin after salvation and respond to it with the hope that God gives to overcome it?

ENGAGE

• How can we support each other in overcoming the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil as a Christian community?
• How does understanding our identity in Christ help Christians move beyond the pattern of habitual sin?
• How does the indwelling Holy Spirit guide believers in their battle against sin, and how can we become more attuned to His leading?