CHRISTIANS --- do you refrain from immoral behavior solely due to your obedience of God's commands?

Question

Apparently people had a problem with my use of the word "sin" in my last question... so perhaps they'll be a bit more comfortable with this one.

Answer 1

Yes. Honestly, as a "new" Christian, I feel like the early church people in Corinthians. I struggle with past behaviors that I no longer "indulge" in. Such as drinking. I used to spend my weekends with a bunch of drunken friends, and we'd spend a lot of money on alcohol and basically, accomplish nothing but a "good time" and a hang over. Now, I spend my weekends doing service work and being with my new church family.

I do not think people who are not Christians are all indulging in immoral behavior. I know some wonderful atheists who spend their time and money on good causes. They live their life in a law abiding, morally correct way. So I don't think the question you ask means that only Christians refrain from immoral behavior. I think you are asking the motivation of why we refrain.

I refrain because "Christian" means "little Christ." We are to live in such a way that others see the difference. I am a sinner, and I am weak. I can only live in such a way with God as my strength. No, I wasn't an alcoholic, or have some sort of problem. But, with God, I have been able to overcome my loss of friendships with my former friends. (they abandoned me when I joined the church. I have not abandoned them.)

Answer 2

I had no problem with your use of the word Sin because after all immoral behavior is just the Liberal way to say Sin. Sin is failure to follow the commands of the Lord God. And if we love Him the Bible says,John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments.So it is not out of obedience exclusively for that would be a negative response it is out of Love that we keep the commandments.

Answer 3

Like L.C. said, I also work to not sin, but it's terribly difficult sometimes.
but I don't need to be Christian to refrain from immoral behavior. I don't have any life changing story as to how I became a Christian. I just figured it out along my 19 years.

But sinning, or immoral behavior as you're calling it, does something to you inside. It's undeniable, and you can run from it to your death bed to be frank.
It bites at you, and that is your conscience - which is the clean part of a human lol.
Where does the conscience come from? Well that's another question, but God created us in his image, not so that we could be gods too, but because He loves us. So the conscience, like we all learn in elementary school bites you when you do wrong. It's called guilt.

take care.

Answer 4

No. I've always had a relationship with God and Christ, so I know the rules. There were a few years where I did things I knew were wrong. I simply prayed and asked God to understand. Then what started as a little uncomfortably, became unbearable. Now I do the best I can and feel at peace. At times when I am able to do what is right when I really want to rebel and do what I want, and I do what is right, I feel proud and full of peace.
Blessed Be

Answer 5

Depends on the immoral behavior. Even being a Christian, I still sin sometimes. I'm not perfect.

So the answer is yes, God gives me the strength to not do some of the things that tempted me.

On the other hand, the answer is also no, because I still sin, and also because there are many sins (adultery, murder, rape, et cetera) that I have not ever been tempted to commit.

I didn't see your last question, but now you've got me interested.

Answer 6

Civility would be a mess if we all did whatever! Rules in the Bible were written because, over time, these were the things that botherred people the most and they recorded them and some became law! It is practical to be moral for civility sake. It hurts people and those hurt people do some pretty horrendous things when immorality is allowed to just run rampant.

Answer 7

I guess to be honest God is so much a part of my life that I know I want to refrain from immoral behavior because I pay for it if I sin and it takes me away from close fellowship with GOd until I confess. I also think that when I did in the past engage in immoral behavior, it was the worse time of my life and I wasn't close to God back then. It was like God wanted me close even if I wasn't.

Answer 8

When you are united with Christ you become a new person. Immorality is a thing of this world that every Christians shjould refrain of doing. Paul had reminded us of this "Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. " Romans 13:13

Answer 9

Sometimes. It depends on what the behavior is. Some things I refrain from, because I'm not that type of person, such as murder. Somethings I refrain from, because they are immoral to anyone such as stealing or using violence toward others. Somethings I try to refrain from, because I'm tempted to do them, but I remember they are wrong according to the Bible such as judging others or spreading gossip.

Answer 10

Not only because it is a law of God but lets say, hypothetically to go along with your question, that there was no law of God. I would still find it morally correct to refrain for that type of behavior because it would demean my own relationship with my spouse.

There are many studies worldwide that demonstrate the benefits of remaining free of sexual relationships outside of marriage. These benefits apply of not only marital partners but also to their children, friends, and family.