Recognizing Sinful Nature in the Believer's Life
Recognizing Sinful Nature in the Believer's Life
The concept of sinful nature in the believer's life is rooted in biblical teachings that acknowledge the ongoing presence of sin in the lives of Christians. According to the apostle Paul, believers continue to struggle with their sinful nature, as evident in Romans 7:14, where he states, "For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne" [3]. This struggle is a result of the inherent sinful nature that remains within believers, despite their regeneration and conversion.
The Bible defines sin as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [2]. This includes not only outward actions but also inward states and habits of the soul. The sinful nature is characterized by its opposition to God's law and its tendency to lead individuals into sinful behavior. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, sin is described as "coming from the heart," being "the fruit of lust," and constituting "rebellion against God" [5].
Believers recognize their sinful nature through their ongoing struggles with sin. The Psalmist acknowledges that "all human beings are born sinners" [6], and this sinful nature continues to affect believers. The apostle John notes that "if we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" [1, 8]. Recognizing one's sinful nature involves acknowledging the presence of sin, confessing it, and seeking forgiveness and cleansing through Jesus Christ.
The process of recognizing sinful nature is closely tied to the concept of conscience. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, conscience "witnesses in man," "accuses of sin," and should be kept pure and good [4]. A clear conscience is essential for believers to acknowledge their sinful nature and seek forgiveness.
Different Christian traditions interpret the concept of sinful nature in the believer's life in various ways. For instance, the Presbyterian tradition, as represented by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, emphasizes the ongoing struggle with sin and the need for believers to recognize their sinful nature [7]. Similarly, the Methodist/Wesleyan tradition, as represented by Adam Clarke, highlights the importance of confessing sin and seeking forgiveness and cleansing [9].
Sources
- I John “I John 1:9 (Geneva1599) — If we acknowledge our sinnes, he is faithfull and iust, to forgiue vs our sinnes, and to clense vs from all vnrighteousnes.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
- Romans “Romans 7:14 (Geneva1599) — For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne.”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Conscience — Witnesses in man -- Pr 20:27; Ro 2:15. Accuses of sin -- Ge 42:21; 2Sa 24:10; Mt 27:3; Ac 2:37. We should have the approval of -- Job 27:6; Ac 24:16; Ro 9:1; 14:22. The blood of Christ alone can purify -- Heb 9:14; 10:2-10,22. Keep the faith in purity of -- 1Ti 1:19; 3:9. Of saints, pure and good -- Heb 13:18; 1Pe 3:16,21. Submit to authority for -- Ro 13:5. Suffer patiently for -- 1Pe 2:19. Testimony of, a source of joy -- 2Co 1:12; 1Jo 3:21. Of others, not to be offended -- Ro 14:21; 1Co 10:28-32. Ministers should commend themselves to that of their pe”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- 1 John (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins - If, from a deep sense of our guilt, impurity, and helplessness, we humble ourselves before God, acknowledging our iniquity, his holiness, and our own utter helplessness, and implore mercy for his sake who has died for us; he is faithful, because to such he has promised mercy, Psa 32:5; Pro 28:13; and just, for Christ has died for us, and thus made an atonement to the Divine justice; so that God can now be just, and yet the justifier of him who believeth in Jesus. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - Not only to forgive the sin, but to”