Is worrying a sin?

[Yesua888]

Whilst watching a Youtube interview with Mel Gibson,
This came up:

"My Dad told me you worry too much ... it's a sin ... it shows a decided lack of faith in Providence and in God"


Biblical teachings on worry as a sin are derived from commands against anxiety and verses linking lack of faith to sin.

Matthew 6:25-34 and Luke 12:22-31 contain Jesus’ commands to "do not be anxious" about life’s necessities, which many interpret as disobedience to God’s provision.
Philippians 4:6-7 instructs believers not to be anxious about anything but to present requests to God, with the promise of peace guarding hearts.
1 John 4:18 states that "perfect love casts out fear," implying that fear or worry can be incompatible with trusting in God's love.
Romans 14:23 notes that "whatever does not proceed from faith is sin," a principle often applied to worry as a lack of trust in God’s care.
Proverbs 3:5-6 encourages trusting in the Lord with all one's heart and leaning not on one's own understanding, framing trust as essential to divine guidance.

 

[David]

I believe Mel Gibson’s father was teaching something that is true in essence, but would phrase it differently. Gibson quotes his father as saying that excessive worrying is “a decided lack of faith in providence and in God.”

Jesus said to us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow.” (Matt.6: 34) Also Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” So if worry turns into chronic lack of trust in God’s provision and care, and we fail to give it to Him, then yes it can become a sin issue.

However, I would not tell someone that every anxious thought that comes into their mind is sin. We can be troubled, afraid, or concerned and still respond in faith. The issue is what we do with it. Do we let fear rule us, or do we bring it to God and trust what He has said?

And I want you to know I have to deal with this too. I catch myself wondering sometimes if I am worrying too much and not trusting God like I should. So I am not saying this from some place where I have it all figured out; I don't. I need these verses too.

Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7 really get to the heart of it for me. Worry keeps my mind fixed on what might go wrong. Faith brings it before God and chooses to trust Him with what I cannot control.

So I would say this: worry can become sin when it turns into unbelief and refusal to trust God, but the first feeling of anxiety itself is not the same thing as deliberate unbelief. The biblical response is to take that worry to God, pray, and bring our thoughts back under the truth of His Word.

My wife bought this sign and put it on the wall:

 

[Yesua888]

I believe Mel Gibson’s father was teaching something that is true in essence, but would phrase it differently. Gibson quotes his father as saying that excessive worrying is “a decided lack of faith in providence and in God.”

Jesus said to us, “Take therefore no thought for the morrow.” (Matt.6: 34) Also Philippians 4:6 says, “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.” So if worry turns into chronic lack of trust in God’s provision and care, and we fail to give it to Him, then yes it can become a sin issue.

However, I would not tell someone that every anxious thought that comes into their mind is sin. We can be troubled, afraid, or concerned and still respond in faith. The issue is what we do with it. Do we let fear rule us, or do we bring it to God and trust what He has said?

And I want you to know I have to deal with this too. I catch myself wondering sometimes if I am worrying too much and not trusting God like I should. So I am not saying this from some place where I have it all figured out; I don't. I need these verses too.

Matthew 6:25-34 and Philippians 4:6-7 really get to the heart of it for me. Worry keeps my mind fixed on what might go wrong. Faith brings it before God and chooses to trust Him with what I cannot control.

So I would say this: worry can become sin when it turns into unbelief and refusal to trust God, but the first feeling of anxiety itself is not the same thing as deliberate unbelief. The biblical response is to take that worry to God, pray, and bring our thoughts back under the truth of His Word.

My wife bought this sign and put it on the wall:

View attachment 641

Thank you David for a beautiful, humble sharing and teaching ... this is why BTF brings Scripture to Life for me : )

 

[bobinfaith]

"My Dad told me you worry too much ... it's a sin ... it shows a decided lack of faith in Providence and in God"
Biblical teachings on worry as a sin are derived from commands against anxiety and verses linking lack of faith to sin.

However, I would not tell someone that every anxious thought that comes into their mind is sin. We can be troubled, afraid, or concerned and still respond in faith. The issue is what we do with it. Do we let fear rule us, or do we bring it to God and trust what He has said? And I want you to know I have to deal with this too. I catch myself wondering sometimes if I am worrying too much and not trusting God like I should. So I am not saying this from some place where I have it all figured out; I don't. I need these verses too.

Good morning, Yesua888 and David;

From watching the video Hazel and I like Raymond Arroyo and Mel Gibson. I'll respond from both your posts.

Jesus commands and teaches us not to worry in Matthew 6:25-34 (and other Scriptures in the New Testament.) When we personally read this passage we can discern Jesus' tone as if He is encouraging us not to worry. He then gives deep context on not worrying to help us get reassuring understanding of God's unlimited reliable care.

David, you make a solid point from reading your post (and in my own words,) we're still men and women dealing with the concerns of life, our children, needs, the world condition, etc...This will create worry.

When I get asked, "when does our worry become sin?" To begin with, a consistent lack of faith. Worry can fester into sin because it can trap us into desperation and lead us to taking shortcuts or cheating at the expense of hurting ourselves or others in overcoming our worries because we didn't trust in God. Many times sin will connect to other sin.

As a believer when I get hit with worry, I have to come to my senses through verses and prayer, this helps me believe God is in the center of all our cares. Praise Him for that!

Yesua888, thank you for bringing up this topic. It should speak to all of us.

God bless everyone.

Bob