I've been struggling with my debt for a long time but my pastor tells me filing for bankruptcy is a sin?
Everyone has their own definition of what it is to "sin." If you're looking for a passage in the Bible that tells us protecting ourselves from our creditors while we figure out how to survive financially is a sin you won't find anything. What you will find however is:
Deuteronomy 15 - Laws Regarding the Poor
A. Laws regarding the poor.
1. (1-6) Release of debts every seventh year.
At the end of every seven years you shall grant a release of debts. And this is the form of the release: Every creditor who has lent anything to his neighbor shall release it; he shall not require it of his neighbor or his brother, because it is called the Lord's release. Of a foreigner you may require it; but you shall give up your claim to what is owed by your brother, except when there may be no poor among you; for the Lord will greatly bless you in the land which the Lord your God is giving you to possess as an inheritance; only if you carefully obey the voice of the Lord your God, to observe with care all these commandments which I command you today. For the Lord your God will bless you just as He promised you; you shall lend to many nations, but you shall not borrow; you shall reign over many nations, but they shall not reign over you.
Since creditors do not follow the admonishments of Deuteronomy and since people are still (or are made to be) poor, it cannot be a sinful act to lawfully protect yourself from creditor harassment, garnishment, lawsuits and attachment.
There are laws that help creditors collect. It is only fair there be laws for debtors to protect themselves from ending up on the streets.
