Is it a sin?

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on September 8, 2012 at 8:11am

I had some meds for anxiety during this move. They really backfired on me. I didn't realize it until I was out. I can't remember almost 2 weeks of my life. At the time, I knew everything I was doing but then later, couldn't remember anything. I just decided to live with anxiety. lol

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Permalink Reply by Charles Burwell on September 8, 2012 at 11:31am

Dear Taminator

 

Your questions bring to mind the scripture in James 4:17 that says ;

 

         " Therefore him that knows to do good, and does not do it , to him it is sin."

 

And P aul in Romans 14:23b :

 

         " ....whatsoever is not of faith is sin. "

 

These scriptures give us good guidelines to go by without specificall mentioning any sin in particular.  However , in reponse to your question about anxiety being a sin Paul does tell us in Phil. 4 ;6 -7 to

 

                       " be anxious for nothing , but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving make your   

            requests known unto God , and the peace of God , which passes all understanding will gaurd your hearts

            and  minds through Christ Jesus."

 

When Paul admonishes us to 'be anxious for nothing' he uses a tense in the greek that makes this almost a command. It is a very strong emphasis that Paul places on this admonision.   Having said that I believe ( my opinion only ) that Paul is speaking out of loving concern for the believer rather than condemning an anxious person.   He is telling us of the ultimate ( and in my opinion ONLY ) solution to anxiety.

 

I believe that he's trying to help us all to get past the ' anxiety as there is ( again in my opinion ) nothing that hinders us more in our walk with the Lord than anxiety and worry because they lead to doubt of God and His goodness.  He is offering the practical solution to gaining the ' peace of God ' to gaurd our hearts and minds '.

 

As to whether or not anxiety is a sin.  I believe that anxiety can lead to the sin of doubt if not properly dealt with.  By that I mean by following Paul's instruction in Phillipians.  Also , if anxiety itself is a sin then I (at times) find myself to be guilty of this sin.  

 

I believe that anxiety is a hinderance that needs to be dealt with before it gets out of hand . But for it to be a 'sin' itself I don't believe that it is. I believe that it's something we all ( if we're to be honest)  have to deal with at times. But thanks be to God He provides a solution for it.

 

As for 'anxiety ' being  a biological problem: I will leave that for minds greater than mine to decide . I know that , so far , Paul's solution has worked for me.

 

God bless you , my friend

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Permalink Reply by Tammy on September 8, 2012 at 1:06pm

Thanks Charles. James 4:14 came to my mind as well. 

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on September 8, 2012 at 2:42pm

If it is sin, how do you repent of it?

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Permalink Reply by Stephen King on September 9, 2012 at 1:25pm

You just confess and ask  to be forgiven, for it is written; 'If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness' (1 John 1:9)

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Permalink Reply by Amanda on September 10, 2012 at 4:16am

Gregory, perhaps healing is needed instead of cleansing. Scriptures make a distinction between the two.

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