To see if we have what it takes to resist temptation.

Religious perspective: When I was younger I was at a charity fair when I won a wash-bag. By mistake I was given a wash-bag filled with money. We returned the money. If I did not have the ability to take the money, the act of returning it would have no meaning at all. The ability to sin gives people free will which consequently gives our choices meaning. Free will puts the ball in our court. Do we want to have a relationship with God, or not? [Edit: Typo]

Because he wanted us to have free will. Think about it like this... If you have a "partner" wouldn't you rather them do things for you because they LOVE you and they know it makes you happy instead of you FORCING them to do it?? Doesn't it mean so much more then if they do it on their own free will?? It's kinda the same thing from what I understand. God would rather us do what he wants because we LOVE him soooo much instead of him not giving us a choice at all.

Maybe you should consider these crackpot and not so crackpot theroies: A) There is no God. B) God isn't as perfect as you might think. C) And my favorite, God is a sadistic bastard who got bored and one day decided to make some toys- the humnas. Now, some may say it's all about free will, but what is free wil without God? And if God's so perfect why does he need us? Of course these are only the crackpot theories of one highly disturbed girl, rate me down if you wish, it wouldn't be the first time.

God gave us free will....he set out the rules to follow (read bible for rules)...up to you...you have a choice and the ability to make a choice. You should be able to judge for yourself right and wrong in relation to the rules and the society you live in...again free will - you choose.

God gave us a thing called “freedom”. Our ancient ancestors chose to abuse that freedom. Sin followed. Now because of our own faults, we sometimes choose to do things that He considers sinful. We still have the freedom of choice to do what is right. He has already made arrangements to buy us back from sin through His own Son’s death. Romans Chapter 5, versus 12-19 says: 12 "That is why, just as through one man sin entered into the world and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men because they had all sinned-. 13 For until the Law sin was in the world, but sin is not charged against anyone when there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death ruled as king from Adam down to Moses, even over those who had not sinned after the likeness of the transgression by Adam, who bears a resemblance to him that was to come. 15 But it is not with the gift as it was with the trespass. For if by one man's trespass many died, the undeserved kindness of God and his free gift with the undeserved kindness by the one man Jesus Christ abounded much more to many. 16 Also, it is not with the free gift as it was with the way things worked through the one [man] that sinned. For the judgment resulted from one trespass in condemnation, but the gift resulted from many trespasses in a declaration of righteousness. 17 For if by the trespass of the one [man] death ruled as king through that one, much more will those who receive the abundance of the undeserved kindness and of the free gift of righteousness rule as kings in life through the one [person], Jesus Christ. 18 So, then, as through one trespass the result to men of all sorts was condemnation, likewise also through one act of justification the result to men of all sorts is a declaring of them righteous for life. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man many were constituted sinners, likewise also through the obedience of the one [person] many will be constituted righteous".

A lot of things called 'sinful' have been decreed by man. We are humans and the Lord gave us free will , it is up to each one of us how we interpretate sinful and how far we are willing to go along the path of sin.

God doesn't put sinful things in front of us. We are responsible for our own decisions. He has established a set of rules and we either obey them or we don't. How much we desire to obey will determine whether or not we resist the temptations to do what is wrong. God doesn't tempt us to do bad, Satan does. I'm speaking as a religiously inclined person who believes the bible, if you don't believe the bible, you may have a different perspective which you are entitled to have. Thus Free Will in action... be careful, you just might enjoy having free will, I do.

Which god? I can only assume that you are referring to the Abrahmic one, as He is the one best known for the concept of "sin". The most common answer for the Abrahamic god is that He gave humanity free-will. However, I see the whole concept much differently. This god apparently knows everything that will happen, and controls everything that will happen. Therefore, He created humanity knowing that humanity would sin and He would have to punish humanity for doing so. Therefore, He gave humanity the ability to sin anyway...one can conclude that he wanted to punish humanity.

Man is sinful by nature, He gives us the ability to keep from it.

To see if we would. Religion teaches it's followers the 'correct' path, but cannot force one to take it.

To teach us. You can't know beauty without knowing ungliness. Courage - cowardy Happiness - sadness .. and so on, until: Faith - sin (shortened - broken wrist :) Claire

230. John 14:15 NIV [ Jesus Promises the Holy Spirit ] "If you love me, you will obey what I command. John 14:21 NIV Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." John 14:23 NIV Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. John 14:24 NIV He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me. John 14:31 NIV but the world must learn that I love the Father and that I do exactly what my Father has commanded me. "Come now; let us leave. We live in a world where people are always trying to find love or define love. All the time, it is right in front of us in just obeying what God asked of us. If we don’t know what He is asking of us, we need simply read His word. If you need the schoolmaster, use the Ten Commandments. If you have graduated to the two commandments of loving God and loving others, you already know what honors and is obedient to God and what builds others up. Now the hard part, if we know, is that enough? God gives us the will AND the ability to do. Oh, it is hard. I will openly admit I have had some serious trials in obedience. But, the one who has suffered in the body is done with sin. (1 Peter 4:1) So here we are on this earth (dark valley) walking through it with God. We have His commands and the choice to obey Him. He will not force obedience. That is not love, that is dictatorship. Love is a choice just as hate is. We grapple with the choices of our mind and our bodies as we are being renewed. We must learn to bring them into submission through the Spirit of God who is constantly with us and resides in us to guide us and comfort us. That is why we are here. As we mature, then we can be a vessel that is filled and can pour out God’s love.