Did Jesus Have Propensities to Sin?
A topic of discussion that keeps resurfacing is the question, did Jesus have propensities to sin? Some believe these selfish propensities or tendencies to sin are sin. Others believe they are not sin. Some believe Jesus had these selfish desires for sinful things but just didn’t act on them. What we believe about this subject will greatly impact our understanding redemption and what it means to strive for victory over sin. What exactly are we striving for? What do the Bible and Ellen White say about this aspect of the nature of Christ?
“Be careful, exceedingly careful, as to how you dwell upon the human nature of Christ.” (10LtMs, Lt 8, 1895, par. 13-14)
First, What is a Propensity or Tendency to Sin?
“Be careful, exceedingly careful, as to how you dwell upon the human nature of Christ.” (10LtMs, Lt 8, 1895, par. 13-14)
- “He is a brother in our infirmities, “in all points tempted like as we are;” but as the sinless one His nature recoiled from evil; He endured struggles and torture of soul in a world of sin.” SC 93.4
Why Does Mankind Have These Selfish Propensities?
Because of the fall of Adam….
“Because of sin, his posterity was born with inherent propensities of disobedience.” (10LtMs, Lt 8, 1895, par. 14)
Though Jesus had no propensities to evil, He did have desires, and satan formed HIs temptations to capitalize on Jesus’ desires. Jesus desired to show Himself the Son of God. And so He was tempted “if thou be the son of God..” etc. And on the cross, etc. While Satan forms his temptations to use our inherent desires and inclinations toward selfishness against us, Jesus had no selfish desires, but selfless desires, and so Satan formed his temptations against Christ to take advantage of Christ’s selfless desires. In both cases, sinful man and the Son of God both had to deny the inward desires to overcome the temptation and refrain from sinning. This is why the Scriptures do not say Jesus was tempted as we are, but Jesus was tempted “like as we are.” While we must deny our selfish desires to overcome the temptation, Christ had to deny His selfless desires to overcome Satan’s temptations.