Lesson: We can Live above Sin
Introduction
Is it possible to live without committing sins? Yahweh tells us through Peter, “just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do,” (1 Pet. 1:15). We have already heard that Yahshua himself told us to be perfect as out Father in heaven (Matt. 5:48). This is a high standard set for us. As we shall see, we have good examples of people who lived a life above sin. If they could live such lives, why can’t we? What is missing? In this lesson we shall try to answer these questions. We have many examples of people who lived blamelessly before Yahweh. However we shall pick just a few examples to show us that it is possible to live above sin.
Unless otherwise stated, we shall be using NKJV[1] in all our quotations.
Enoch (Hanoch in Hebrew)
The first person we shall look at is Enoch
Genesis 5:22-24 After he begot Methuselah, Enoch walked with Elohim three hundred years, and had sons and daughters. 23 So all the days of Enoch were three hundred and sixty-five years. 24 And Enoch walked with Elohim; and he was not, for Elohim took him.
Hebrews 11:5-6 5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because Elohim had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased Elohim. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to Elohim must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Enoch walked with Yahweh for three hundred (300) years and pleased Yahweh so much that Yahweh took him so that he does not see death. Which means Enoch is still alive today. This shows we can live a life that pleases Yahweh. Yahweh becomes very close to us that He will not do anything without informing us.
Noah (Noach in Hebrew).
Noah is the second person we read that he walked with Yahweh blamelessly.
Genesis 6:5-9 5 “Then Yahweh saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. 6 And Yahweh was sorry that He had made man on the earth, and He was grieved in His heart. 7 So Yahweh said, “I will destroy man whom I have created from the face of the earth, both man and beast, creeping thing and birds of the air, for I am sorry that I have made them.” 8 But Noah found grace in the eyes of Yahweh.
9 This is the genealogy of Noah. Noah was a just man, perfect in his generations. Noah walked with Elohim.
Wickedness of man greatly increased in the earth until Yahweh regretted creating man on it. Every thought in man was evil, evil, evil continually. But in this situation, one man found favour with Yahweh. This was Noah who was just and perfect in his generation. Other versions write verses 8 and 9 as follows
NASB Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favour in the eyes Yahweh
These are the records of the generations of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless in his time; Noah walked with Elohim.”
NET Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favour in the sight of Yahweh.
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a godly man; he was blameless among his contemporaries. He walked with Elohim.”
NIV[2] Genesis 6:8-9 “But Noah found favour in the eyes of Yahweh.
This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with Elohim.
These three versions used the word “favour.” This means Noah was acceptable in the eyes of Yahweh. Then they say he was a righteous man and blameless or godly and blameless. It just shows how Noah walked with Yah. He was blameless or perfect as NKJV says. If Noah could do this, why can’t we?
How did Noah do this? Genesis 6:22 Thus Noah did; according to all that Elohim commanded him, so he did. Noah did all that Yahweh commanded him to do. This is how to walk with Yahweh. It is walking in obedience to Him.
This is repeated in Genesis 7:5 “And Noah did according to all that Yahweh commanded him.” The only way to live above sin is to obey whatever Yahweh has commanded. This is how we can walk with Yahweh pleasing Him in all we do. This is what Noh did.
What did Noah have that we do not have? Noah did not have a Bible but in his generation where sin was everywhere, he pleased Yahweh by walking in obedience to all Yahweh commanded him. Genesis 7:1 “Then Yahweh said to Noah, “Come into the ark, you and all your household, because I have seen that you are righteous before Me in this generation.” Yahweh testifies to Noah “I have seen that you are RIGHTEOUS BEFORE ME IN THIS GENERATION.” What a testimony!
We can do the same by doing all we know Yahweh has commanded us as His people to do. He has given us the same body and understanding Noah had and therefore we can do it.
Joseph
Joseph was sold as a slave in Egypt. He was far from home and so was free to do anything he without fear of his family. But He feared Yahweh even while far from home.
Genesis 39:2-4 2 Yahweh was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that Yahweh was with him and that Yahweh made all he did to prosper in his hand. 4 So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority.
In verse 2 we see that Yahweh was WITH Joseph and he succeeded in all he did. NIV says in verse 3 “Yahweh gave him success in everything he did.”
He was also promoted by his master when he realized that Yahweh was with him and was successful in all he did.
How did Joseph please Yahweh?
Genesis 39:6-12 6 “Thus he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand, and he did not know what he had except for the bread which he ate. Now Joseph was handsome in form and appearance. 7 And it came to pass after these things that his master’s wife cast longing eyes on Joseph, and she said, “Lie with me.” 8 But he refused and said to his master’s wife, “Look, my master does not know what is with me in the house, and he has committed all that he has to my hand. 9 “There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against Elohim?” 10 So it was, as she spoke to Joseph day by day, that he did not heed her, to lie with her or to be with her. 11 But it happened about this time, when Joseph went into the house to do his work, and none of the men of the house was inside, 12 that she caught him by his garment, saying, “Lie with me.” But he left his garment in her hand, and fled and ran outside.”
The wife of Joseph’s master desired him and talked to him about lying with her. Joseph refused because this was a great wickedness before Yahweh. He did not want to talk with her and it ended with the wife trying to force Joseph to sin but he ran away leaving his outer garment with her and he was thrown into jail.
We better be like Joseph and do not reason with sin or temptation. If worst comes to the worst, we can as well run away and be jailed for our faithfulness to Yahweh.
Hezekiah — Yahweh heard his prayers
Isaiah 38:1-6 In those days Hezekiah was sick and near death. And Isaiah the prophet, the son of Amoz, went to him and said to him, “Thus says Yahweh: ‘Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live.’ ” 2 Then Hezekiah turned his face toward the wall, and prayed to Yahweh, 3 and said, “Remember now, O Yahweh, I pray, how I have walked before You in truth and with a loyal heart, and have done what is good in Your sight.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly. 4 And the word of Yahweh came to Isaiah, saying, 5 “Go and tell Hezekiah, ‘Thus says Yahweh, the Elohim of David your father: “I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years. 6 “I will deliver you and this city from the hand of the king of Assyria, and I will defend this city.” ‘
Hezekiah was sick and about to die. When Isaiah told him he was to die he turned towards the wall and prayed reminding Yahweh how he had walked in truth (or faithfully) and with a loyal heart (or whole hearted devotion), doing what was right in Yahweh’s eyes. This was true and that is why Yahweh had to answer that prayer. Hezekiah was a man like we are. If he could tell Yahweh how he was devoted to Him, why can’t we do the same? This shows it is possible to walk before Yahweh with integrity and devotion. We can live without sinning.
Daniel and his Three Friends
The first test for Daniel and his friends was the issue of food. Were they to eat the king’s food and defile themselves or were they to obey Yahweh and defy the authority of the king?
Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.”
“ Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with” the king’s delicacies and wine. We do not know what was wrong with the foods but we know they would have defiled Daniel and his friends. Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14 had clearly indicated the foods the people of Yahweh could or could not eat. Daniel was determined to obey Yahweh rather than man. His friends joined him.
Daniel 1:11-16 11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 “Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days. 15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
The result was so good that the man in charge withdrew their portion and gave them only vegetables.
Daniel 1:17-21 7 “As for these four young men, Elohim gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18 Now at the end of the days, when the king had said that they should be brought in, the chief of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 Then the king interviewed them, and among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. 20 And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm. 21 Thus Daniel continued until the first year of King Cyrus.”
Due to their integrity, Yahweh gave these four young men knowledge, skill, and wisdom, ten times more than the other people. Daniel was given the ability to explain dreams. All this is because Daniel and his friends were determined to obey Yahweh wholeheartedly. They were just like us. We can do so too if we purpose so in our hearts.
In Daniel 3, the king made a big golden statue. He ordered that all people should worship his gods and fall down before the statue. Mishael, Azariah and Hananiah were ready to die for their Elohim if need be, but they were not going to worship the king’s idols or bow down to the image. They told the king,
“O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter. 17 “If that is the case, our Elohim whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. 18 “But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up“ (Dan 3:16-18).
They were willing to die rather than worship any of the king’s gods including the huge image. They were thrown into the fire and Yahweh rescued them.
Daniel 3:28-30 28 “Nebuchadnezzar spoke, saying, “Blessed be the Elohim of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego, who sent His Angel and delivered His servants who trusted in Him, and they have frustrated the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they should not serve nor worship any god except their own Elohim! 29 “Therefore I make a decree that any people, nation, or language which speaks anything amiss against the Elohim of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made an ash heap; because there is no other Elohim who can deliver like this.” 30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego in the province of Babylon.
The king acknowledged the Elohim of Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael was the true Elohim because He rescued His faithful servants when they offered themselves to die in obedience to Him. They were men like us and they were able to obey fully. We can do the same if we choose to. Shall we?
Daniel also offered to be eaten by lions instead of worshipping the king. Yahweh gave him a great deliverance that also turned the heart of the king more towards Him.
Daniel 6:3-5 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his Elohim.“
The other rulers could not find fault with Daniel and therefore planned how to destroy him because of his devotion to the Law of Yahweh. They made a law to worship the king for a month. Daniel did not change his way of worship because of that.
Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his Elohim, as was his custom since early days.
Daniel did not change his way of worship to please anyone except Yahweh. He was therefore thrown into the lions’ den.
Daniel 6:19-24 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living Elohim, has your Elohim, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 “My Elohim sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his Elohim. 24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions — them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
Daniel could testify that he was found innocent before Yahweh and he had done no wrong before the king. What a testimony! We can also give such testimonies if we choose to do the will of Yahweh above anything else.
Daniel 6:25-27 25 “Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the Elohim of Daniel. For He is the living Elohim, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
King Darius was able to honour Yahweh because of the faithfulness of Daniel.
Zechariah and Elizabeth
Luke 1:5-6 “There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before Elohim, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of Yahweh blameless.”
Zachariah and Elizabeth were old and had no child. Yet this couple was righteous before Yahweh, walking in ALL THE COMANDMENTS and ordinances of Yahweh without any blame. This was at the time of the birth of Yahshua. Some us could have been fighting for lack of children. But this couple concentrated on obeying Yahweh. What about you and I? What could we be doing?
We Can Do the Same
Romans 8:37-39 37 “Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of Elohim which is in Messiah Yahshua our Lord.”
Paul says here that we are more than able to do the right thing. We are more than conquerors with Yahweh on our side. We can be like Enoch or Noah, Joseph or Job. It is our choice to do what is right or wrong. We cannot blame the devil or anyone else.
Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
Each of us can join Paul and say the same. We are more than able to do the will of Yahweh if we choose to.
Conclusion
We have seen that people like Enoch, Noah, Joseph, Daniel and many others lived in a way that pleased Yahweh by living in obedience to Him. Yahweh testified about people like Job or Hezekiah. These were human beings just like us. If they could live in obedience to Yahweh, we can do the same. We should not blame the devil or others. We should live lives that please Yahweh all the time.
THE CHOICE IS OURS. What is your choice? Will you commit yourself to living in obedience to Yahweh or will you give excuses for sin? Sin is detestable to Yahweh. Yahweh hates sin and those who sin. Do you desire to be Yahweh’s beloved child and friend? YOU MUST WALK IN OBEDIENCE TO HIM. Choose to obey Him and you see success like Joseph, success of a heavenly kind.
[1] NKJV = New King James Version
[2] NASB = New American Standard Bible; NET = New English Translation; NIV = New International Version
