Habitually Sinning

ByJim Stephens

Scripture: 1 John 5:16-19 TPT (Click link for scripture in You Version)

16 If anyone observes a fellow believer habitually sinning in a way that doesn’t lead to death, you should keep interceding in prayer that God will give that person life. Now, there is a sin that leads to death, and I’m not encouraging you to pray for those who commit it. 17 All unrighteousness is sin, but there is sin that does not result in death. 18 We are convinced that everyone fathered by God does not make sinning a way of life, because the Son of God protects the child of God, and the Evil One cannot touch him. 19 We know that we are God’s children and that the whole world lies under the misery and influence of the Evil One. (1 John 5:16-19 TPT)

Scholars and theologians have sought to understand what John means by “sinning in a way that doesn’t lead to death” and “there is a sin that leads to death”, and there is a wide range of thought on this. Knowledgeable people I respect have landed on different lines of thinking here. Some think in terms of Paul’s note in 1 Corinthians that some have died prematurely because of taking communion unworthily; Some think in terms of Luke’s account in Acts 5 where Ananias and Sapphira died because they lied to God; Some think in terms of Jesus’ words in Mark that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit results in spiritual death, and some look to Hebrews 6 where the writer refers to those who, after believing, turn their backs on Christ and experience spiritual death. I think John is referring to the people who had left the simple faith in Jesus and joined the antichrists.

This part is clear: If a believer we know is habitually sinning we intercede.

  • Those who have allowed the cares and concerns of the world to dull their passion for Christ and his Kingdom are drifting away. If left to their own devices they will drift further and further until they lose the  strength of fellowship and the flow of blessing in the family of God. They will become shortsighted and purposeless. They need our prayers!
  • Those who have turned away from simple faith in Jesus have turned away from the life flow we have found in Christ. They may be caught in a deception that life is to be found in something other than Christ, or that faith in Christ is not enough. They may turn to religion or self-effort and works to try to find life. They may become arrogant, prideful, and judgmental. They need our prayers!

Prayer:

Father, Please direct our intercession for those who are drifting or who have turned away from simple faith in Christ. May they return to the only source of true life. Amen.