I came across the view that Christians do not believe that Christ could have sinned and failed in his mission on earth. Well then how could he be 'tempted in the desert'? Was it all a charade or could Christ have sinned?
Could Christ Have Sinned?
- Thread starter Hobie
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Hobie, what does being tempted have to do with Jesus sining? Please clarify the thread.
The scripture says that he was tempted at all points, yet without sin. You believe that or don't believe that.
Jesus Is Lord.
The scripture says that he was tempted at all points, yet without sin. You believe that or don't believe that.
Jesus Is Lord.
Yes, but then what was Christ doing on earth, if He could not sin there was no test to show that Satan was wrong, there was nothing to overcome.....
Matthew 4:1 Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil.
Mark 1:13 And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted of Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.
Luke 4:2 Being forty days tempted of the devil. And in those days he did eat nothing: and when they were ended, he afterward hungered.
If Christ could not sin, then there was nothing He could do to prove Satan wrong when he came in the flesh, as temptation was not possible.
Hebrews 2:14-18
Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil; 15And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham. 17Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people. 18For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.
Correct Mike :) and we need to add this from Philippians:
Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ was fully human so he would have had the capacity to sin just like us but He was so in tune with the Father that He wouldn't succumb.
Could Christ have failed on Earth.............(Actually Jesus, as Christ means anointed, some of us are also Christ or God's anointed.)
Lets break it down. This is something I have looked into.
First Hobie, we can't look at someones ability to be tempted, to mean that someone could sin. I know, that is the statement you wanted to show light on. Let me get some light myself. I understand what your saying, but now lets look at it.
If something sins, then it can also be tempted. If something can be tempted, does that mean it could sin?
If you buy a new TV that should last for years, just because it's a TV, could it break down?
Of course it could.
Now here is the issue, we need to not look at things in the Natural. I don't say spiritualize the Word and make everything of none effect, but we do need to look deeper.
Let me make this statement.................. Jesus was at one time not PERFECT. Does that mean he could have sinned. (Gasp in the crowd) No, it does not.
Here is the thing..........................
Jesus was a man, and that is it. He was flesh and blood. He was already born again of the Word of God when he came out of the womb. He was yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Much like many believers today.
So, He had to deal with things not being filled with the Holy Spirit. Pretty tough, but he made it though. When He recieved power on High, I am sure things became more easy. He now had the greater one inside of him and could preach, and destroy the works of the Devil. So, in all aspects, He was not any different than the rest of us, who get born again, and get filled with Christ or the anointing of God. He said the same works he does, we can also do.
What is the difference?
The Word of God!!!!
God already spoke about the ministery of Jesus. His life was set in something stronger than stone. God's Word never returns void, and Jesus could not have failed. The Power of the Word of God upheld him at every turn.
Now............... back to that TV!!!
Lets say you just bought it, and God came down and spoke over that TV. God said this TV will never break. (We can have the same faith, but this is an example.)
Now, even though it is a TV, and normally TV's can break, This one can not. Why? because God said it can't.
I hope this clears things up more.
Jesus Is Lord.
Lets break it down. This is something I have looked into.
First Hobie, we can't look at someones ability to be tempted, to mean that someone could sin. I know, that is the statement you wanted to show light on. Let me get some light myself. I understand what your saying, but now lets look at it.
If something sins, then it can also be tempted. If something can be tempted, does that mean it could sin?
If you buy a new TV that should last for years, just because it's a TV, could it break down?
Of course it could.
Now here is the issue, we need to not look at things in the Natural. I don't say spiritualize the Word and make everything of none effect, but we do need to look deeper.
Let me make this statement.................. Jesus was at one time not PERFECT. Does that mean he could have sinned. (Gasp in the crowd) No, it does not.
Here is the thing..........................
Jesus was a man, and that is it. He was flesh and blood. He was already born again of the Word of God when he came out of the womb. He was yet filled with the Holy Spirit. Much like many believers today.
So, He had to deal with things not being filled with the Holy Spirit. Pretty tough, but he made it though. When He recieved power on High, I am sure things became more easy. He now had the greater one inside of him and could preach, and destroy the works of the Devil. So, in all aspects, He was not any different than the rest of us, who get born again, and get filled with Christ or the anointing of God. He said the same works he does, we can also do.
What is the difference?
The Word of God!!!!
God already spoke about the ministery of Jesus. His life was set in something stronger than stone. God's Word never returns void, and Jesus could not have failed. The Power of the Word of God upheld him at every turn.
Now............... back to that TV!!!
Lets say you just bought it, and God came down and spoke over that TV. God said this TV will never break. (We can have the same faith, but this is an example.)
Now, even though it is a TV, and normally TV's can break, This one can not. Why? because God said it can't.
I hope this clears things up more.
Jesus Is Lord.
Correct Mikeand we need to add this from Philippians:
Php 2:1 If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
Php 2:2 Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Php 2:3 Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Php 2:4 Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Php 2:5 Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Php 2:6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Php 2:7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Php 2:8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
Php 2:9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Php 2:10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
Php 2:11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Christ was fully human so he would have had the capacity to sin just like us but He was so in tune with the Father that He wouldn't succumb.
You have quoted the most impacting passage of Scripture I have ever entertained in my mind. This passage alone has wrought miracles in my heart and mind, to bring me into a realization of God. All who read these words with understanding must enter into an exultant state before the Lord, considering He made us joint enjoyers of His alotment in the heavenlies with Him. What an unmerited and unreasonable thing for Him to have done what He has for us.
In reply to the OP, could He have sinned?
I read that the power of God overshadowed His mother, and impregnated her. It is a sinless spirit as it proceeds forth from the Father. I agree that there was no sin in His members, and the desires and lusts common to us all were overruled at all times by this Holy Spirit in Him.
He was divine and He was man. God and man met together in His flesh. He knew no sin, it did not dwell in Him like it does us, yet He was tempted like all men.
He was incapable of sinning, for there was no sin in Him. It could not be brought forth; it was a testimony against the Adversary, a crisis point for the Adversary and his minionsl, that the Christ had come to crush his head as spoken. The time for talk and words was over. The Real Deal was on the scene. The enemy had to give it his best shot. The tide was turning against the evil one.
The battle is waged in the intellect, in the mind.
Thus the importance of the Written Word of God.
fivesense
I would change, "wouldn't" to "didnt"
He had to have the capacity to sin in order to be tempted...
That is a conclusion you have reached without the Scriptures to back you up. The evidence and direct revelation concerning His being is stated otherwise. Our opinions are not inspired, and our conclusions must not steer away from God's Word, such as a supposed "capacity to sin". Where it says He had the capacity to sin, let it be shown; if not then leave it alone.
fivesense
Fivesense:
Hobie started out with a question:
I am not sure Hobie really wanted any feedback.
Jesus Is Lord.
Hobie started out with a question:
I am not sure Hobie really wanted any feedback.
Jesus Is Lord.
I suppose you are correct. But Christ preached from contention, although bloody and ugly, hopefully can reach the ears of those whom God is calling, and bring forth those whom are elected out from the jurisdiction of the wicked one.
Some indeed preach Christ even of envy and strife; and some also of good will: The one preach Christ of contention, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my bonds But the other of love, knowing that I am set for the defence of the gospel. What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice. Phl 1:15-17
2Ti 2:9 Wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, [even] unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Col 1:12 . Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated [us] into the kingdom of his dear Son:
Jimmy Engle
New Member
For me personally, I believe that Christ was fully man and fully God...He was truly the son of God incarnate. Since this is true, the answer is no...Christ could never have sinned because God is perfect and would never do something to contradict Himself. When Christ was tempted in the wilderness, it was Satan's attempt to destroy God's plan...
I also believe that this was included in the bible as an important lesson. We should all use scripture to fight temptation just like Christ did. The sword of the Spirit is mighty...only when used and meditated upon. :)
Oh and it was not a charade. Satan really did try to tempt Jesus into sinning...but since He did not follow the temptation from the devil...He never sinned and was perfect just as God is perfect.
6stringedsignseeker
New Member
The whole debate over whether or not Christ could have sinned is one I find very intriguing, but when trying to understand the true depth of the subject we are all lost lol, because we are sinners and sin seems so natural to us. For someone to never have sinned, even though tempted is mind boggling to our human understanding. Could Jesus have sinned? I've looked at it both ways... I've looked at it both ways really and the only conclusion I can come up with is... he was able to be tempted because he was human. But He was totally unable to sin because He is God. yeah... I know.... my conclusion doesn't help in any way. In fact I think I just confused myself even more :huh:
Well, it never happened so kinda silly talking about it.............
We could change the question though.........................................
Why did Jesus not sin????
Jesus was a man, and yet God...................... Well, Jesus was a man anointed by the Holy Spirit and came into this World born of the Word of God, of incorruptible seed. So, Jesus entered in this World "Born again" and we enter in this World not born again.
So, we can only compare to Jesus once we get born again.
Now does being tempted mean you have the Ability to sin? I think the ability is there, but not the possibility. We can walk with God where we are able to walk away from any temptation. Same as Jesus did.
Jesus had the same tools to work with that we have. So He is a perfect example for us.
Jesus did not come into this World Perfect.
Jesus did not have any ability to heal, or cast out devils, or was even anointed to preach until filled with the Holy Spirit. Same as us, many are born again, but not filled with power on high.
Jesus spent lots of Time with God in prayer, and I bet he could quote the whole book of Isa.......... He was constantly in the Word of God and asking questions when he was young. I bet spending more time in the Word and with God would help us avoid sin also.
Unlike us though, God's word was already set in Stone about Jesus. If Jesus sinned, then the Word of God would have failed.
That is interesting..............................God's Word can not fail. That brings us back to the question could he have sinned?
I think there is lots to learn about Jesus and the tools he had to work with as a man, that would better help us get to the place where he said the works he did, we shall do also. We have seen lots of this to a extent (depending on your denomination of course)
Jesus Is Lord.
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