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What does the Bible say about repeated sin?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that repeated sin is a serious bondage that grieves God, yet Christ receives repentant sinners with forgiveness, help, and power for new obedience. Romans 7:15-25 recognizes the believer’s painful struggle with remaining sin, while 1 John 1:9 assures cleansing to those who confess. Hebrews 10:26 warns against hardened, willful persistence that despises Christ’s sacrifice, not humble repentance after failure. In Christ, believers have an advocate with the Father, as 1 John 2:1 says, and are called to turn from sin, forgive others, and walk in love and obedience. God’s grace does not excuse sin; it trains his people to resist it and bear the fruit of repentance.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Romans 7:15-25

    [15] For I don't know what I am doing. For I don't practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. [16] But if what I don't desire, that I do, I consent to the law that it is good. [17] So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. [18] For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwells no good thing. For desire is present with me, but I don't find it doing that which is good. [19] For the good which I desire, I don't do; but the evil which I don't desire, that I practice. [20] But if what I don't desire, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwells in me. [21] I find then the law, that, to me, while I desire to do good, evil is present. [22] For I delight in God's law after the inward man, [23] but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. [24] What a wretched man I am! Who will deliver me out of the body of this death? [25] I thank God through Jesus Christ, our Lord! So then with the mind, I myself serve God's law, but with the flesh, the sin's law.

  • Hebrews 10:26

    For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more a sacrifice for sins,

  • Luke 17:3-4

    [3] Be careful. If your brother sins against you, rebuke him. If he repents, forgive him. [4] If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven times returns, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him."

  • 1 John 1:9

    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

  • Galatians 5:19-21

    [19] Now the works of the flesh are obvious, which are: adultery, sexual immorality, uncleanness, lustfulness, [20] idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousies, outbursts of anger, rivalries, divisions, heresies, [21] envyings, murders, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these; of which I forewarn you, even as I also forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

  • John 14:15

    If you love me, keep my commandments.

  • 1 John 2:1

    My little children, I write these things to you so that you may not sin. If anyone sins, we have a Counselor with the Father, Jesus Christ, the righteous.

  • Luke 15:7

    I tell you that even so there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents, than over ninety-nine righteous people who need no repentance.

  • John 8:34

    Jesus answered them, "Most assuredly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is the bondservant of sin.

  • Galatians 6:7

    Don't be deceived. God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.

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