Afflicted Saints: should Avoid Sin
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Afflicted saints, those who endure trials and tribulations, are called to maintain their faithfulness and avoid sin, even amidst suffering. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings that emphasize the importance of holiness and righteousness, regardless of one's circumstances.

Biblical Exhortations to Avoid Sin

The Scriptures consistently urge believers to pursue holiness and shun sin. In 1 Peter 1:15-16 , it is written, "But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do, for it is written: 'Be holy, because I am holy.'" This call to holiness is not conditional upon one's situation but is a constant expectation for all believers, including those who are afflicted.

The Example of Job

Job stands as a quintessential example of an afflicted saint who avoided sin. Despite losing his wealth, health, and family, Job remained steadfast in his integrity. Job 1:22 states, "In all this, Job did not sin or charge God with wrongdoing." His account illustrates that even in the depths of suffering, it is possible to remain faithful and avoid sin.

The Apostle Paul’s Teachings

The Apostle Paul, who faced numerous afflictions, also taught the importance of avoiding sin. In Romans 6:12-13 , Paul instructs, "Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its desires. Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness." Paul’s teachings underscore the necessity of resisting sin, even when enduring hardships.

The Role of Suffering in Sanctification

Suffering can serve as a means of sanctification, refining believers and drawing them closer to God. Hebrews 12:10-11 explains, "Our fathers disciplined us for a short time as they thought best, but God disciplines us for our good, so that we may share in His holiness. No discipline seems enjoyable at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it yields a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it." This passage highlights that afflictions, though painful, can produce righteousness and holiness in the lives of believers.

The Promise of Divine Assistance

Afflicted saints are not left to battle sin alone. God promises His presence and assistance. In 1 Corinthians 10:13 , Paul assures believers, "No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide an escape, so that you can stand up under it." This promise offers hope and strength to afflicted saints, encouraging them to rely on God’s faithfulness to overcome sin.

The Call to Perseverance

James 1:12 offers encouragement to those who persevere under trial: "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." This verse serves as a reminder that enduring afflictions without succumbing to sin leads to eternal reward.

In summary, afflicted saints are called to avoid sin and pursue holiness, drawing strength from biblical teachings, the examples of faithful individuals, and the promise of divine assistance.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Job 34:31,32
Surely it is meet to be said to God, I have borne chastisement, I will not offend any more:
Torrey's Topical Textbook

John 5:14
Afterward Jesus finds him in the temple, and said to him, Behold, you are made whole: sin no more, lest a worse thing come to you.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Peter 2:12
Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Spiritual Desolation.
... If it were God's will that your life should end now ... we remain here on earth; hence
the saints have yearned ... you sing when you are so terribly afflicted and your ...
/.../de liguori/uniformity with gods will/6 spiritual desolation.htm

Concerning the Martyrs.
... power, your blessed brother may not be afflicted: for he ... Otherwise we should to no
purpose undergo such things if ... And those saints who for His sake have been ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i concerning the martyrs.htm

Thy Rod and Thy Staff they Comfort Me.
... it frequently happens, that those are most afflicted who are ... Truly, they should not
have been, had we never sinned ... But the saints, and all the truly wise, have ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/callan/the shepherd of my soul/viii thy rod and thy.htm

The Great Misery of those who Lose the Saints' Rest.
... while the saints were "mocked, destitute, afflicted, tormented," and ... Lord, I had
now been blessed among the saints.". ... death a hundred times over: should I not ...
/.../baxter/the saints everlasting rest/chapter v the great misery.htm

Letter Lxxix. To Salvina.
... lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the
afflicted, if she ... should take husbands as that they should avoid paramours. ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxxix to salvina.htm

Letter cxxx. To Demetrias.
... and rest in the sleep of the saints (and I ... prophet's reason for saying: "Before I
was afflicted I went ... A virgin should avoid as so many plagues and banes of ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter cxxx to demetrias.htm

Counsels and Reminiscences of Soeur Therese, the Little Flower of ...
... I was much afflicted at seeing her ill, and I often ... Should I go to Purgatory, I
shall"like the three ... From above, the Saints encourage me, saying: 'So long as ...
/.../therese/story of a soul/counsels and reminiscences of soeur.htm

The Monk Nilus.
... in the houses of the great, and avoid amulets and ... military appointment, brought his
heavily-afflicted son to him ... as was then paid to the saints should be paid ...
//christianbookshelf.org/neander/light in the dark places/the monk nilus.htm

On Helping the Poor.
... it is reasonable, O bishops, that neither should you. ... from such as walk holily, and
supply the afflicted. ... out in the redemption of the saints, the deliverance ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on helping the poor.htm

Describes an Effect which Proves the Prayer Spoken of in the Last ...
... Martin; [315] should these desires become very oppressive ... such uneasiness as we feel
when afflicted concerning any ... King.' [324] So felt other saints who retired ...
/.../teresa/the interior castle or the mansions/chapter vi describes an effect.htm

Resources
Why did Jesus have to die? | GotQuestions.org

What is the passion of Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Where does the Old Testament predict the coming of Jesus Christ? | GotQuestions.org

Afflicted: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Afflicted

Afflicted Saints: Christ Comforts

Afflicted Saints: Christ Delivers

Afflicted Saints: Christ is With

Afflicted Saints: Christ Preserves

Afflicted Saints: Christ Supports

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Apostles

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: David

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Eli

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Job

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Joseph

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Moses

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Nehemiah

Afflicted Saints: Examples of Afflicted Saints: Paul

Afflicted Saints: God Comforts

Afflicted Saints: God Delivers

Afflicted Saints: God is a Refuge and Strength To

Afflicted Saints: God is With

Afflicted Saints: God Preserves

Afflicted Saints: should Acknowledge the Justice of Their Chastisements

Afflicted Saints: should Avoid Sin

Afflicted Saints: should be Frequent in Prayer

Afflicted Saints: should be Patient

Afflicted Saints: should be Resigned

Afflicted Saints: should Imitate Christ

Afflicted Saints: should Imitate the Prophets

Afflicted Saints: should Keep the Pious Resolutions Made During Afflictions

Afflicted Saints: should not Despise Chastening

Afflicted Saints: should Praise God

Afflicted Saints: should Take Encouragement from Former Mercies

Afflicted Saints: should Trust in the Goodness of God

Afflicted Saints: should Turn and Devote Themselves to God

Afflicted: Duty to The

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Bear Them in Mind

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Comfort Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Pity Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Pray for Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Protect Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Relieve Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Sympathise With Them

Duty Toward The Afflicted: To Visit Them

Related Terms

Afflict (55 Occurrences)

Comforted (56 Occurrences)

Naaman (19 Occurrences)

Ill-treated (7 Occurrences)

Thicket (9 Occurrences)

Relief (32 Occurrences)

Destitute (25 Occurrences)

Dropsy (1 Occurrence)

Mistreated (14 Occurrences)

Barest (3 Occurrences)

Abase (7 Occurrences)

Anathoth (16 Occurrences)

Adonai (1 Occurrence)

An'athoth (19 Occurrences)

Ajalon (10 Occurrences)

Showing (41 Occurrences)

Shared (21 Occurrences)

Haemorrhage (3 Occurrences)

Deserving (19 Occurrences)

Overwhelmed (33 Occurrences)

Pine (28 Occurrences)

Haughty (35 Occurrences)

Abi'athar (28 Occurrences)

Complaint (29 Occurrences)

Estate (40 Occurrences)

Deserve (40 Occurrences)

Sovereign (209 Occurrences)

Oppressed (81 Occurrences)

Affliction (120 Occurrences)

Distressed (70 Occurrences)

Worketh (49 Occurrences)

Founded (42 Occurrences)

Merry (38 Occurrences)

Oppression (67 Occurrences)

Wast (84 Occurrences)

Treated (69 Occurrences)

Stronger (59 Occurrences)

Desolate (189 Occurrences)

Lame (35 Occurrences)

Needy (83 Occurrences)

Fasting (34 Occurrences)

Drawing (60 Occurrences)

Selah (76 Occurrences)

Suffering (104 Occurrences)

Forget (77 Occurrences)

Poor (276 Occurrences)

Sick (117 Occurrences)

Despised (96 Occurrences)

Justice (212 Occurrences)

Suffered (88 Occurrences)

Abiathar (29 Occurrences)

Violently (92 Occurrences)

Elisha (70 Occurrences)

Hardships (12 Occurrences)

Humility (20 Occurrences)

Worthy (92 Occurrences)

Pity (165 Occurrences)

Quicken (16 Occurrences)

Gracious (106 Occurrences)

Various (52 Occurrences)

Killing (41 Occurrences)

Noticed (19 Occurrences)

Noon-day (8 Occurrences)

Na'omi (21 Occurrences)

Noonday (13 Occurrences)

Nahum (3 Occurrences)

Untied (6 Occurrences)

Uncovereth (12 Occurrences)

Unanswered (2 Occurrences)

Oppresses (6 Occurrences)

Outcasts (13 Occurrences)

Opens (30 Occurrences)

Obscurity (10 Occurrences)

Jaw-teeth (4 Occurrences)

Layest (10 Occurrences)

Laid (552 Occurrences)

Labours (19 Occurrences)

Lowliness (9 Occurrences)

Lament (44 Occurrences)

Afflicted Saints: should Acknowledge the Justice of Their Chastisements
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