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The Ongoing Struggle with Sinful Nature in Christian Life

The Christian life is characterized by an ongoing struggle with a sinful nature, a concept deeply rooted in biblical texts and theological tradition. Sin is defined as "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" [3]. This includes not only outward actions but also the inward state and habits of the soul, encompassing both omissions and commissions [3]. The Bible consistently portrays humanity as inherently prone to sin, a condition that persists even after conversion.

The Apostle Paul vividly describes this internal conflict in Romans 7, stating, "For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne" [1]. He further laments, "But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me" [4]. This passage is often interpreted as reflecting the experience of a believer who, despite having a renewed mind, still contends with the persistent influence of a sinful nature [19]. Some scholars suggest this could refer to Paul's former unredeemed state, while others see it as a description of the ongoing battle within a Christian [19]. This internal warfare is a central theme, highlighting that believers "cannot simply decide to keep the law and not sin" because "a war rages between God’s Spirit and our sinful nature" [21].

The origin of this sinful nature is traced back to the fall of humanity in Genesis. The sin of the first pair is described not merely as an act of eating forbidden fruit, but as a profound act of self-love, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience, preferring the creature to the Creator [13]. As a result, all human beings are born sinners [11, 20]. Psalm 51:3 states, "For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me" [2]. This inherent sinfulness means that even from birth, individuals are inclined towards sin [11].

The consequences of sin are severe, ultimately leading to "eternal death," which is described as the miserable fate of the wicked in hell [5]. This "eternal death" is the necessary consequence and wages of sin [6]. It is characterized by banishment from God, society with the devil, a lake of fire, and unending penal sufferings [5, 6]. God's anger is not an arbitrary emotional outburst but a necessary response to sin [15].

Despite the pervasive nature of sin, the Christian faith offers a path to redemption and an ongoing process of sanctification. Christ "suffered concerning sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" [7]. This act of redemption initiates a process where believers are "claimed by God" through Christ [17]. Sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit, bringing the entire person "more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration" [9]. It is a process of carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, extending to the whole person [9]. This process involves a continuous effort to have "an unoffending conscience, towards God and men, continually" [8].

However, sanctification does not imply the eradication of the sinful nature in this life. Even after regeneration and conversion, believers still commit actual sins [16]. To claim "we have not sinned" is to make God a liar [16]. The struggle against sin is a lifelong endeavor. While the wicked "indulge their sinful nature," the godly "fight against it" [11]. This fight is not through human effort alone but by "living by God’s Spirit" [21]. The ultimate freedom from sin will only be realized at the resurrection [21].

The concept of sin encompasses various forms. "Vanity" can refer to all sorts of sinful acts [12]. Deliberate sins are committed with an "insolent or arrogant attitude," and "rebellion" is considered a "great sin" [14]. The Bible also warns against despair, which can lead to continuing in sin and blasphemy [10]. Despair can be produced by divine judgments and can seize the wicked at Christ's appearing [10]. However, saints are sometimes tempted to despair but are enabled to overcome it through trust in God [10].

The Spirit of God strives with humanity, but if provoked by resistance, the Spirit may cease to strive, leading to a loss of religion [18]. This highlights the importance of not grieving the Holy Spirit through "fleshly lusts" [18]. The universal sinfulness of humanity, both Gentiles and Jews, means that no one can find favor with God through their own actions [15]. This underscores the necessity of God's grace and the work of the Spirit in the ongoing struggle against sin.

Sources

  1. Romans “Romans 7:14 (Geneva1599) — For we knowe that the Law is spirituall, but I am carnall, solde vnder sinne.”
  2. Psalms “For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. -- Psalms 51:3”
  3. 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,”
  4. Romans “Romans 7:23 (BSB) — But I see another law at work in my body, warring against the law of my mind and holding me captive to the law of sin that dwells within me.”
  5. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Eternal death — The miserable fate of the wicked in hell (Matt. 25:46; Mark 3:29; Heb. 6:2; 2 Thess. 1:9; Matt. 18:8; 25:41; Jude 1:7). The Scripture as clearly teaches the unending duration of the penal sufferings of the lost as the "everlasting life," the "eternal life" of the righteous. The same Greek words in the New Testament (aion, aionios, aidios) are used to express (1) the eternal existence of God (1 Tim. 1:17; Rom. 1:20; 16:26); (2) of Christ (Rev. 1:18); (3) of the Holy Ghost (Heb. 9:14); and (4) the eternal duration of the sufferings of the lost (Matt. 25”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Death, Eternal — The necessary consequence of sin -- Ro 6:16,21; 8:13; Jas 1:15. The wages of sin -- Ro 6:23. The portion of the wicked -- Mt 25:41,46; Ro 1:32. The way to, described -- Ps 9:17; Mt 7:13. Self-righteousness leads to -- Pr 14:12. God alone can inflict -- Mt 10:28; Jas 4:12. Is described as Banishment from God. -- 2Th 1:9. Society with the devil &c. -- Mt 25:41. A lake of fire. -- Re 19:20; 21:8. The worm that dies not. -- Mr 9:44. Outer darkness. -- Mt 25:30. A mist of darkness for ever. -- 2Pe 2:17. Indignation, wrath, &c. -- Ro 2:8,9. Is called Destr”
  7. I Peter “I Peter 3:18 (LITV) — Because even Christ once suffered concerning sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God; indeed being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the Spirit;”
  8. Acts “Acts 24:16 (Rotherham) — herein, even I, myself, am studying to have, an unoffending conscience, towards God and men, continually.”
  9. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
  10. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Despair — Produced in the wicked by divine judgments -- De 28:34,67; Re 9:6; 16:10. Leads to Continuing in sin. -- Jer 2:25; 18:12. Blasphemy. -- Isa 8:21; Re 16:10,11. Shall seize upon the wicked at the appearing of Christ -- Re 6:16. Saints sometimes tempted to -- Job 7:6; La 3:18. Saints enabled to overcome -- 2Co 4:8,9. Trust in God, a preservative against -- Ps 42:5,11. Exemplified Cain. -- Ge 4:13,14. Ahithophel. -- 2Sa 17:23. Judas. -- Mt 27:5.”
  11. 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).”
  12. Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 30:8: vanity--all sorts of sinful acts (Job 11:11; Isa 5:18).”
  13. Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
  14. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
  15. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
  16. 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”
  17. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
  18. Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 6:3: This comes in here as a token of God's displeasure at those who married strange wives; he threatens to withdraw from them his Spirit, whom they had grieved by such marriages, contrary to their convictions: fleshly lusts are often punished with spiritual judgments, the sorest of all judgments. Or as another occasion of the great wickedness of the old world; the Spirit of the Lord, being provoked by their resistance of his motions, ceased to strive with them, and then all religion was soon lost among them. This he warns them of before, that they might not further ve”
  19. Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 7:18: 7:18 my sinful nature: See study note on 6:19. This phrase could refer to Paul’s former state as an unredeemed person or to a part of Paul that remains tied to the world and resists the will of God.”
  20. Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 31:10: For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing,.... Which shows the continuance of his troubles, and that his whole life had been, as it were, an uninterrupted series of sorrows; my strength faileth because of mine iniquity; this opens the source and spring of all his grief and trouble; his sin, and the sin of his nature, in which he was conceived and born; indwelling sin, which remained and worked in him; and it may be also the sin of unbelief, which beset him, and prevailed in him, notwithstanding the instances of divine goodness, the declarations of ”
  21. Galatians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Galatians 5:17: 5:17 We cannot simply decide to keep the law and not sin: A war rages between God’s Spirit and our sinful nature (see Rom 7:14-25; 1 Pet 2:11; cp. Gen 4:7). The answer is not human effort at law-keeping, but living by God’s Spirit. When we are resurrected, we will finally be freed from sin (see Rom 8:18-25).”
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