Is sin a daily reality for us? Can we go an entire day without sinning?

TL;DR:

Because of our sin nature, even believers cannot go an entire day without sinning in thought, word, or action. Thankfully, Christ’s sacrifice covers our sins, and God’s grace continually restores and empowers us to live for Him even when we sin..

what does the bible say?

No Bible verse specifically states that we sin every single day. However, the Bible teaches that all people have sinned (Romans 3:23). Because of sin, we need reconciliation with God. This happens when we believe in Jesus as God's Son who lived a sinless life, died on our behalf, and rose from the dead; by His grace and through faith in Him we can be forgiven and receive eternal life (John 3:16; Romans 10:9).

Even Christians struggle with sin. We are forgiven (1 John 1:9) and can overcome temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13) yet still struggle with sin (Romans 7).

Sin comes in a variety of forms, including thoughts, words, and actions. For example, Jesus taught that adultery as well as looking at a woman with lust were sinful (Matthew 5:27-28). Murder is a sin and so is thinking hateful, angry thoughts about another person (Matthew 5:21-26).

The apostle James wrote that "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17). We have been commanded to love God with our whole being and to love others as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31; Matthew 22:37-39). Failing to do so is sin.

With the standards Jesus gave, it is clear we all sin regularly. As the apostle Paul neared the end of his life, he viewed himself as “the foremost” of sinners as he learned more about the seriousness of sin to God (1 Timothy 1:15).

from the old testament

The book of Leviticus outlines the sacrificial system the Israelites were to use to regularly atone for their sins. That system ended with the death and resurrection of Christ.
The Mosaic Law included instructions about sacrificing for unintentional sin, which indicates that humankind sins even when we aren’t conscious of it (Numbers 15:27-29; Job 1:5)
The people of Israel were to bring a daily sin offering (Ezekiel 46:13), which indicates that not a day would go by in which the people of the nation wouldn’t sin.

from the new testament

Scripture teaches us that there are no perfect people on this side of eternity but that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The apostle Paul recognized this in himself. In discussing his struggle with sin, Paul wrote, “So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. . . . 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” (Romans 7:21-22). His mind wanted to obey, but his flesh was weakened by sin. He asks, “Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Romans 7:24) and answers, “Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25). We all struggle with sin, but Jesus has made a way for our salvation.
Paul’s truthfulness about his struggle is an example to all believers that we cannot ignore the reality of sin. The apostle John wrote, “If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8). Though we are still prone to sin even after being saved, we can confess, repent, and be forgiven (1 John 1:9)
Even so, sin doesn’t characterize the life of a believer. The apostle Paul rhetorically asked, “How can we who died to sin still live in it?” Though Paul struggled with sin, he knew that his identity was as a follower of Christ, not an unrepentant sinner.

implications for today

Is it possible to go an entire day without sinning? If we are conscious for any period of time, we are likely to think at least one sinful thought, speak one sinful word, or do one sinful action.

However, this is not cause for despair. When we realize the extent of our sin, it causes us to realize our deep need for God, the breadth of His forgiveness, and the wonder of His grace to provide our salvation. Even the person who sins the least on earth has sinned many times. This is why Paul could write, "Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself serve the law of God with my mind, but with my flesh I serve the law of sin" (Romans 7:24-25). Realizing the depths of our depravity helps us to see the extent of God's grace. And it is cause for great praise. He has saved us in Christ and is faithful to continually forgive us (1 John 1:8-10). Nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39).

We've also been equipped and encouraged in the battle against sin. With God's help, we resist the attacks of spiritual evil and depend on our Lord for help (1 Peter 5:8-9). Ephesians 6:12-13 teaches us to put on “the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm." Hebrews 10:23-25 encourages believers to stay firm in God’s faithful promises and lean on our brothers and sisters in Christ.

The battle with sin is real, but in Christ we are victorious and can rest assured that we are completely forgiven and sealed in Him (Hebrews 10:11-14; 1 Peter 3:18; Ephesians 1:11-14; 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).

understand

As fallen human beings, we sin daily, in thought, word, and/or deed.
Christ died to redeem us from our sins, offering eternal life to those who place their faith in Him.
Though even believers sin, our lives shouldn’t be characterized by sin; Christ cleanses us when we confess our sins and repent.

reflect

What has been difficult for you in recognizing that sin is still a daily reality even for believers, and where have you found hope?
How does the assurance of forgiveness of sins through Christ impact your sense of security in salvation?
How is your faith affected by knowing that God loves you even though you’re a sinner and that He empowers and equips you to repent and to live for Him even after you’ve sinned?

engage

How can Christians best communicate that people do not have to be “perfect” to be followers of Christ?
How is the Bible’s teaching on sin at odds with the culture’s messages about self-esteem and self-love?
How can Christians best help brothers and sisters in Christ who struggle with persistent sin?