Those Who Practice Sin

I am convinced by scripture that those who continue in sin, even defending that sin have never been born again.

1 John 3:8-10 "…8 The one who practices sin is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the very start. This is why the Son of God was revealed, to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God. 10 By this the children of God are distinguished from the children of the devil: Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is anyone who does not love his brother.…"

Children of God do sin but they do not defend it nor do they remain in it.

Hebrews 12:5-7 "…5 And you have forgotten the exhortation that addresses you as sons: “My son, do not take lightly the discipline of the Lord, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you. 6 For the Lord disciplines the one He loves, and He chastises everyone He receives as a son.” 7 Endure suffering as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father?…"

Those who elevate self continually without repentance toward their pride do not experience the working of the Holy Spirit because they do not have Him living in them. NO born again believer can sin willfully living in denial that they are prideful, the Holy Spirit would convict them of their sin of pride, they would be tormented until they confess, hating their sin so much they never want to return to the old attitudes again.

IF you struggle with pride and any particular sin, get on your knees before the Lord asking Him to cleanse you of it.. Do not leave the floor until the desire to sin leaves you. If the devil comes back and torments you again with temptation, get on the floor again and remain, in other words do the battle. This is the mark of a born again believer, they do the battle against their sin and their temptations in prayer until that sin or temptation has no power over them again.

Many people in the church who have judgmental spirits without compassion are usually those who do not battle the sin in their heart. These people just know how to put on a good show for others but their heart remains dirty and ugly. We know this when they are corrected, the first thing out of their mouth is anger and rage.

Proverbs 18:2
"A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion."

Proverbs 29:11
"A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back."

Proverbs 1:7
"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction."

Proverbs 29:9
"If a wise man has an argument with a fool, the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no quiet."