Split question: 1/2 for Christians, 1/2 for others, you'll see why in a minute -- What about worrying?

Question

Christians: Is it a sin to worry? Why, why not?

Others, atheists, whatever -- and only since y'all don't really believe in the concept of sin: Where is the line between "careful planning ahead for all contingencies" and "worry"? Is it, shall we say, less than acceptable to cross that line?

Answer 1

okay why is this even considered a legitimate R&S question.....

everyone worries it's human nature, I wouldn't think it would be a sin if it's something that you cannot stop yourself from doing.

Answer 2

It depends on what you mean by sin.  The biblical witness speaks of two ‘kinds’ of sin.

There is passive sin, which is a missing of the mark.  Both the Hebrew and Greek words translated ‘sin’ carry this meaning.  It is a failure to be all that God intends.  We fall short of His created purpose through weakness, ignorance, or indifference.  

But there is also an active form of sin, what the Hebrews called ‘raising the hand to God' (shaking our fist at Him).  This type of sin rejects God’s authority over us.  It is not merely failure, but willful rebellion.

Which type of sin is worry?  I’d say it’s the first.  We worry because we don’t really know who our Creator is, at least not in our core.  It is a sin of deficiency rather than defiance.  A person worries because they can’t help it.  That doesn’t make worry OK.  But from a pastoral perspective the remedy is not confrontation, but encouragement.  None of us start out our Christian lives fully formed.  We stumble, learn from our mistakes, and mature.  Through this process we come to understand that worry isn’t so much wrong as silly.  We grow into childhood, where our faith in our heavenly Father is, like that of a little one, implicit.  

peace

Answer 3

I have heard some preachers call worry sin, because it says you do not look to God to be God basically.

What I myself am willing to believe about worry is that it is a complete waste of time, and yes, I would think it's an insult to God for someone who says they believe in Him, but they don't think He can or will take care of them.

Worry does NOTHING to solve the problem it only takes away the time you should be enjoying life.

That's what I think of worrying.

  

Answer 4

I don't think it is a "sin" to worry, but it does show a lack of faith.  

The story of the woman in Proverbs 31 is a study in "careful planning".   She didn't just sit home and "worry" about things to come, she planned ahead for them.  

Answer 5

I'm a Christian, so I guess I'll be answering the first half.

The Bible talks a lot about the idea of living without worry because God will take care of us. He will give us everything we really need and nothing we can't handle. However, it is naive to think that we can go without worrying. Even the Bible's model Jews had reason to worry, and did.

I think the Bible connects worry with doubting that God can carry us through. So, yes, it could be seen as a sin to worry. However, being a Christian, I believe that my sins are forgiven. I won't get up to Heaven's gates and have someone tell me I worried too much and now I'm going to h**l.

Answer 6

As long as the worry does not give way to complete and total despair, then, no, it's not a sin.

Answer 7

Love the way you casually decide that atheists have no concept of sin.  

Answer 8

There is no point to worry about things we have no control over.

We should be concerned about the things we do have control over.

I don't wash my hands 100 times per day cause I'm worried that some germ is going to get me but when I shake hands with 35 strangers at church Sunday morning, I do wash my hands before I eat or go to the bathroom.

And when I find myself sitting near someone who is coughing and sneezing I go sit somewhere else.

Why because I took biology and I know how germs can make people sick.

Answer 9

Well I'm a new thought Christian so my answer will probably seem a little odd or unexpected. I don't really believe in "sin" as we commonly understand it. I think more in terms with error thinking. Is it good to worry? Not really, but we're taught to at an early age and it's hard to avoid. Worry comes from fear, and if I'm really centered with my Creator, then I shouldn't be in fear.

Still, I am human and it crops up often as I live my life and try to unload old habits (including emotional ones) that don't serve me. So when I do feel fear, I remind myself of all the times that I was unable to see the goodness in events as they unfolded, and I try not to judge my situation or react to it if it appears negative. That helps to eliminate my fear.

Still, I'm human, and it's a process.  

Answer 10

I try not to live my life wondering what is a sin and what isn't. I don't think God wants us to live that way. Of course He wants us to live how He intended.

I don't think that God wants us to worry though because it shows a lack of faith in His ability to take care of everything. However, He understands that we are weak, and He isn't going to ban us to h**l if we worry about something. He provided Jesus to cover us when we live outside of God's plan because He is fair and knows that we are going to mess up every now and then, and that is something that we should appreciate and be thankful for.  

Answer 11

Hey doll. Yes, it is a sin to worry. In a sense it's the ultimate spit in the face of God. God tells us over and over *not to worry* (if you want passages, I can provide *many*), which obviously makes it a sin to worry. And why? Because God has told us over and over that His plans for Christians are good, that things will work out for the good of those who love Him, and that He cares for us.

Worry says to God, "You can hold the universe in the palm of your hand, but you can't handle my situations."

I'm sort of dumbfounded that some Christians don't think it's a sin to worry when we are commanded not to worry in many places, this being one example:

Phillipians 4: 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God

Answer 12

jesus said why worry about tomorrow cause today has enough of it's own.if it affects you in a negative way maybe yes.if your a worry wart then your saying you don't really trust the lord.

Answer 13

Well it's never "morally wrong" to worry too much, it's just less productive than someone who plans, then moves on to executing the plan.

Answer 14

No it's not. Idk how it would be. Name me on instance that you think it would be a sin.

1 Peter 5:7 - Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.