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Why Do We Still Sin After Salvation?

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Like the apostle Paul in Rom. 7:13–25, many Christians have wrestled with the question, “Why do I still sin after salvation?” Of course, all believers know from experience that personal sin will persist in the Christian life—albeit, hopefully in an ever-decreasing way. Yet, frustration about the on-going presence of sin is quite reasonable, for Scripture testifies that believers have been given all they need for life and godliness in Christ (cf. 2 Pet. 1:3), and Jesus admonishes His followers to be both holy and perfect (cf. Matt. 5:48). Nevertheless, due to ongoing personal sin, we often find ourselves exasperated, exclaiming with Paul, “O wretched man that I am!” (Rom. 7:25).

In Eph. 2:1–3 it was not Paul’s intention to explain all the reasons for the presence of sin in the Christian life. However, in this passage, from Paul’s description of the moral and spiritual condition of those without Jesus, we can infer four reasons why Christians still sin after salvation.

As followers of Christ it takes time to forget sinful patterns, to ignore familiar temptations, and to break from habitual sins.

1. We have trained ourselves how to sin.

First, in writing to the believers in Ephesus, observe that Paul refers to the sins “in which you once walked” (Eph. 2:2a). One reason, then, why we continue to sin even as Christians is that when we were lost, we trained ourselves how to sin. As followers of Christ it takes time to forget sinful patterns, to ignore familiar temptations, and to break from habitual sins.

2. We live in the fallen world.

A second reason why Christians still sin after conversion is that we reside in a fallen world and experience life, as Paul writes, “according to the course of this world” (Eph. 2:2b). Said differently, since the world is laboring under the curse of Genesis 3, and mankind is in a fallen state, the natural flow of the world is toward sin. Many people believe that the world is morally good, or morally neutral at worst. Yet, Scripture testifies that the world, and everything in it, is morally corrupt. Metaphorically speaking, this means the Christian life entails constantly swimming upstream, with even an unguarded moment of rest resulting in being carried away by the ever-present current of sin.

3. We face Satanic and demonic temptation.

As he continues his description of the pre-conversion life, Paul mentions “the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 2:2c). From this reference we can discern a third reason why Christians still sin—that is, on account of the presence of Satan and demonic powers in the world. People tend to make one of two opposing errors concerning Satan—either denying his existence altogether, or else believing that Satan and his minions are behind everything bad that happens in the world. A balanced view, however, affirms that demonic powers are at work in the world, and realizes that Satan’s agenda is to destroy Christians through sin (cf. Eph. 6:12). Such recognition can prepare believers to resist temptation to disobedience.

4. We possess as-yet unglorified bodies.

At Eph. 2:3 Paul observes, “We all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath.” From this description, we can discern a fourth reason why believers still sin is that our flesh is as-yet not glorified. Human beings are a composite unity of body and soul (or spirit), possessing both material and immaterial components. At conversion, believers gain a new nature (cf. 1 Cor. 6:17; 2 Cor. 5:17); however, we must wait for the final resurrection to receive a renewed physical body (cf. 1 Cor. 15:23; Gal. 5:17). In our current state, since our physical flesh has not yet been glorified, we will be tempted to sin by the flesh. Paul explains elsewhere, “The flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17).

In summary, then, Eph. 2:1–3 reveals four causes as to why Christians still sin, even after conversion. Of course, these deductions are not intended as a justification for sin; rather, they are an explanation of sin. The reasons Paul discloses are: (1) we have trained ourselves how to sin, (2) we live in the fallen world, (3) we face Satanic and demonic temptation, and (4) we possess as-yet unglorified bodies. Given these great challenges, one might be tempted to abandon the pursuit of holiness. Yet, believers can be encouraged by observing that immediately after Paul examines these causes of sin, in Eph. 2:4–10 Paul expounds upon God’s mercy, His love, and His forgiveness.

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The L. Russ Bush Center for Faith and Culture seeks to engage culture as salt and light, presenting the Christian faith and demonstrating its implications for all areas of human existence.

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