Does sin function differently in your life now that you became a Christian?

Question

As a Christian, do you feel that there is a difference in you now with regard to sin? For example, before you were a Christian, did you feel that you were enslaved to sin, but now it has no hold over you? Has it made a practical difference in your life? For example, do you no longer feel attracted or tempted by sin anymore? If you do still feel temptation, then do you always conquer it? What is the difference in your life now versus when you were not a Christian?

Just looking for some 1st-hand experiences that may shed light on the subject. Thanks!

Answer 1

Sin is more easily recognizable now that I'm a Christian. That little tug in your heart that tells you not to do something is a lot stronger. I didn't feel that I was enslaved to sin because I couldn't recognize it for what it was. It was only after I had been freed from the burden that I could truly know I was bound. That's why it's confusing to me when I see people in the forum referring to a Christian life as boring & constraining and talking about how they would never want to have anything to do with a God who would demand we obey Him. The best analogy I have to explain it is this.....if you want to improve yourself mentally & physically here on earth you may turn to a martial art. You will submit your will and your time to the laws of the master in order to attain your desired goal. You have to obey. You have to follow the rules. When you do that you become a better, stronger, smarter person. It's the same with God, only on a spiritual level. His rules are for our own personal benefit. When we submit is when we achieve our goals and find true meaning and happiness in our lives regardless of the circumstances we may find ourselves in. We will always feel temptation because we are still human. But we can recognize it for what it is now & we know the consequences of the choice we make. No, I don't always conquer it. Sometimes it conquers me. But that's something else that's so great about God. His love, His mercy & His forgiveness is everlasting.

Answer 2

No, for me it was just the opposite. As a Christian I felt enslaved by the avoidance of sin. Now that I am no longer a Christian, I feel that sin has no power over me. I live my life as truthfully as possible and always try to do good to others. Before, I had to live a lie to avoid what the Bible called a sin. I finally realized that living the lie was a much worse sin than the sin I was trying to avoid. If you don't know yourself, because you are not living your life truthfully, then how can you expect God to know you at all?

Now that I am not a Christian I am no longer tempted by sin. There is something about the forbidden that makes you want it. I actually feel freer of sin now than ever before as a Christian.

Answer 3

I always considered myself a believer, but didn't take it seriously. Once I did, I became more aware of sin. Once the holy spirit enters you and you accept it, you feel more guilt about sin. That makes it easier to control and allows you to avoid it easier. I still sin, but much less. I think that there is always temptation, you just need to make a concious effort to avoid it. I don't go out drinking anymore, but I do occationally just to see friends. I used to go often. I don't swear nearly as much, but I still do sometimes. I can control my anger much easier now, I never really tried to before. I try, but I do fail, just much less.

Answer 4

before I had Christ in my life I diod not worry about sin I knew certain things were bad but I was not concerned did not see the harm in them. now I am far more awear of sin and do my best to avoid it but yes some times I am still tempted but now I do not wont to sin where before what seems small lies or deceat did not matter.

Answer 5

I think satan works on you more once you become a Christian. When you're not a Christian, you're doing alot of sinning and satan has you where he wants you, but once you become a Christian, I think satan really works on you then because you're doing your best not to sin.

Answer 6

At first I was scared to do anything, but years later I am much more knowledgable and matured in the Word and things don't bother me near as much.

Answer 7

I have now convictions everytime i sinned..never pass to ask forgiveness after i got sinned..

Answer 8

Sorry,I know that some people hate scripture being posted-but it's got to do with what you are saying:
Romans 6:1-15 "What should we say then? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may multiply? Absolutely not! How can we who died to sin still live in it?Or are you unaware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father,so we too may walk in a new wayof life. For if we have been joined with Him in the likeness of His death,we will certainly also be in the likeness of His resurrection.For we know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that sin's dominion over the body may be abolished, so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin,since a person who has died is freed from sin's claims. Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him, because we know that Christ, having been raised from the dead,no longer dies. Death no longer rules over Him. For in that He died, He died to sin once for all; but in that He lives, He lives to God.So, you too consider yourselves dead to sin,but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, so that you obey its desires. And do not offer any parts of it to sinas weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God,and all the partsof yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.For sin will not rule over you, because you are not under law but under grace."
I think the difference is that I hate sin now.I want to avoid it.Before,I delighted in it.

Answer 9

Why bother asking this question when you know that all the believers of Jesus will go to heaven as long as they take him as their saviour.

You can commit all the sins in the world and yet go to heaven as long as you believe in Jesus.