The Indwelling of Sin Romans 7:21-8:4

Doctrine of Indwelling Sin “sin that remains in them (believers, the saved, jrp) after conversion“ “the presence and power of sin that remains in the life of a believer" (John Owen and the Problem of Indwelling Sin, Will Timmins, M.A.)

Doctrine of Indwelling Sin This doctrine is produced by the additional false doctrines of--- Original Sin Total Hereditary Depravity

John Owen (1616-1683, Puritan) “Based on Romans 7:21, ‘I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me’, Owen’s work shows that sin is a powerful inward law or principle lodged in the heart whose whole nature is enmity against God. This powerful river, flowing from the Fall, can only be brought under control by regenerating grace. However, sin’s enmity remains in believers after conversion, and the long war against it is one in which all Christians must engage.“ (Synopsis of "Indwelling Sin in Believers", John Owen)

Charles Spurgeon (1834-1892, Baptist) “It is a doctrine, as I believe, taught us in Holy Writ, that when a man is saved by divine grace, he is not wholly cleansed from the corruption of his heart. When we believe in Jesus Christ all our sins are pardoned; yet the power of sin, albeit that it is weakened and kept under by the dominion of the new-born nature which God doth infuse into our souls, doth not cease, but still tarrieth in us, and will do so to our dying day.” -Sermon on “Indwelling Sin”

“Sin Nature” “So, although we often blame Adam, the life we have was in Adam when he sinned, and the sin nature we received was because we were in Adam when he sinned. We share in the blame and the sin as well as the punishment." -Bodie Hodge, The Fall of Satan, p. 56-57

How Does Sin Get Into Your Heart? Calvinism: By birth as a human being “Original sin may be taken to mean: (1) the sin that Adam committed; (2) a consequence of this first sin, the hereditary stain with which we are born on account of our origin or descent from Adam. From the earliest times the latter sense of the word was more common, as may be seen by St. Augustine’s statement: ‘the deliberate sin of the first man is the cause of original sin’ (De nupt. et concup., II, xxvi, 43).” -”Original Sin”, The Catholic Encyclopedia 

How Does Sin Get Into Your Heart? Calvinism: By birth as a human being Total Hereditary Depravity: “They (Adam and Eve, jrp) being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation. From this original corruption, whereby we are utterly indisposed, disabled, and made opposite to all good, and wholly inclined to all evil, do proceed all actual transgressions.” -Westminster Confession of Faith, Chapter VI

How Does Sin Get Into Your Heart? Bible: Sin entered and remains in the heart through choice Sinners by choice, by not human nature, Genesis 2:16-17; 3:6 LOM: Obey -- blessed; Sin -- cursed Deuteronomy 11:26-28 Sin and punishment is individual, Ezekiel 18:4, 20

How Does Sin Get Into Your Heart? Bible: Sin entered and remains in the heart through choice How sin gets into your heart: Temptation: Enticed to sin, James 1:13-14 By choice: Choosing sin causes death, James 1:15-16; Romans 5:12-13; 6:1-2; 7:7-12 By practice: Become children of wrath, Ephesians 2:1-3

The Dangers of the false doctrine of indwelling sin

Dangers of the False Doctrine of Indwelling Sin It rationalizes the presence of sin in our lives (by nature, not choice) It numbs the Christian’s conscience to sin, 1 Timothy 1:18-19 By implication, it blames God for temptation and sin, James 1:13 It deceives Christians into believing the power of sin is greater than the power of God, 1 John 4:4

The Christian’s struggle against sin

The Struggle Against Sin is Real Not because our nature is corrupt, but because we (Christians) continue to be tempted, and at times, we commit sin Jesus suffered, being tempted, Luke 22:28; Heb. 2:18 Christians suffer, being tempted, 1 Cor. 10:12-13; 1 Jno. 2:15-16; Jas. 1:14 “Fiery trial” to endure…rejoice, 1 Peter 4:12-13 Battle against evil, Ephesians 6:11-13

Sin is not Greater than Grace But, we must choose grace through faith, Titus 2:11-12 Romans 7:13-25: The sinner cannot save himself Man under law under sin: No escape – Only death! Romans 6:23 (19-20) The rule of sin in the sinner, Rom. 7:21-23, 5 This is the lost sinner, not the Christian saved in Christ!

Sin is not Greater than Grace Romans 7:13-25 describes the lost sinner, not the Christian saved in Christ Works of sinful passions bears the deadly fruit of sin, Galatians 5:19-21 Sin dominates (rules) this lost person, Romans 7:17-18, 20 This sinner is carnal, wretched and dead, Romans 7:14, 24 Law-keeping would not save him, 7:13-14

Sin is not Greater than Grace Romans 8:1-4: Sinner is saved by faith The rule of righteousness in the Christian: “The law of the spirit of life in Christ Jesus made me free…” (2) No condemnation in Christ, Rom. 8:1 Grace reigns, not sin, Rom. 5:21; 6:12-14 Righteous “by faith", Rom. 1:17; 4:5 Faith obeys Jesus (not the flesh), Rom. 6:1-2 Christian is set free from sin, Rom. 6:17-18

Sin is not Greater than Grace Sin does not dwell in (rule over) the Christian Does not mean we never sin / cannot sin, 1 John 1:8 It means we do not allow sin to rule over us, 1 John 1:9-2:1

How Do We Prevail Over Sin? Do not be deceived about sin, James 1:16 Clean up your conduct, James 4:8 Purify your heart, James 4:8 Be strong in the Lord's power, Eph. 6:10 Be sober and watchful, 1 Peter 5:8 Exercise self-control, 1 Cor. 9:24-27 Pray and obey without getting distracted, Philippians 4:6-9 (2:12-13)

How Do We Prevail Over Sin? Put another way… The Christian’s ability to be holy Is sin so strong that you cannot “be holy as God is holy”? 1 Peter 1:14-16 James 4:7: Christian… Submit to God (be obedient) Resist the devil and he will flee from you