Sin *What is Sin? The word “sin” is primarily a religious word that embodies any thought, word, action, omission, or desire that is contrary to God. It is the opposite of righteousness (perfection), it is the essence of corruption and godlessness, the disease that corrupts the human mind and the act that keeps God from fully communing with humans. In God’s Word the word “sin” is used in several different senses: 1. It may apply toward the sum total of all sin (i.e. you have sinned), 2. It may apply to the innate depravity of the human soul (i.e. you are a sinner), 3. Or it may apply to individual acts (i.e. lying is a sin). Interlinear Bible (Old Testament) Sin - OT:5766 `evel (eh'-vel); or `avel (aw'-vel); and (feminine) `avlah (av-law'); or `owlah (o-law'); or `olah (o-law'); from OT:5765; (moral) evil: KJV - iniquity, perverseness, unjust (-ly), unrighteousness (-ly); wicked (-ness). (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.) Interlinear Bible (New Testament) Sin - NT:264 hamartano (ham-ar-tan'-o); properly, to miss the mark (and so not share in the prize), i.e. (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin: KJV - for your faults, offend, sin, trespass. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.) Sin desires to have you, but you must over power it. Genesis 4:7 “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must master it." (from New International Version) Just thoughts alone can be sin as explained in Matthew 5:28 “But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (from New International Version) *Sources of Sin: The desire to sin comes from 2 sources. 1. The first is our own desire and/or lust, sometimes referred to as the “sin nature” [refer to “Original Sin”]. 2. The other source comes from the spiritual beings (Satan or demons) that entice us to do wrong or sin [refer to “Satan”]. *God’s imposed limitation on Sin is Temptation: God will not let anyone be tempted beyond what they can handle, plus if the temptation presents itself, God will always give a way to avoid the sin. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (from New International Version) *Where and When did Sin begin? Sin began back in the Garden of Eden, sometimes referred to as the “Original Sin” [refer to “Original Sin”]. The two first humans, Adam and Eve, were placed in this garden where all their needs were met (food, comforting warmth and direct “one on one” time with God), yet they failed to obey God’s one and only request. This rebellion became the first sin against God, which led to banishment and other judgments against Adam and Eve and all of their offspring (all humans) [refer to “Original Sin”]. In this account found in Genesis 2:8 - 3:24 you’ll notice that the first sacrifice for the first sin was the death of an animal to cloth Adam and Eve, or in other words “shed by the blood”. Also notice that even though Eve was the first tempted, Adam was the one primarily responsible and he partook together with Eve. *Accountability for Sin: When we talk about “sin” we need to keep in mind that there are three aspects to “sin”. First, and for most, we have to be presented with the temptation to sin or rebellion against God. Secondly is the actual committing of the sin and finally, are we actually responsible for the committing of the sin? * Temptation that leads us to sin. The key verse here is found in 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (from New International Version) * Actually committing the sin is accomplished any time a person intentionally or un-intentionally (not by accident) does any thought, word, action, omission, or desire that is contrary to God. The word “unintentionally” mentioned above refers to those situational awareness issues where one is thrust into the presence of sin or a sin situation and does not turn away. As for the “contrary to God” mentioned above, this does not mean that atheists do not sin, but rather that all people that know of the existence of god (the mental ability to acknowledge the existence of god) are accountable. * Responsibility for the sin or being accountable for the sin requires a level of intellect from the individual committing the sin. This “accountability” is described quite well in John 9:41 “Jesus said, ‘If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin’ ...” and in John 15:22 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. ...”. In other words, a sin against God is not a sin if the person doesn’t know that it is a sin. For example, a young child uses a curse word in a sentence not knowing of its evil cannot be punished for the evil, but after being apprised of its evil all subsequent uses of that word are now punishable (the child is now accountable). Another aspect to this “sin” issue is salvation [refer to “Salvation”]. The question arises that if one sins, then they are forever separated from God? Not true if their level of intellect does not aspire them the ability to know of God’s existence, then how can they be held accountable. For example, the mentally ill, mentally handicapped or just too young to know person, probably don’t have the ability to ascertain God. Obviously, they may still be “blind” as referenced in John 9:41 and John 15:22 above. Another verse, which takes a little explaining, is found in 2 Samuel 12:19 - 23 “… Can I bring him back again? I will go to him, but he will not return to me." After David’s son dies he realizes that there is no more need to mourn in sorrow, for that will not bring his baby son back, but that his son is with God and David will join him when he dies. So, we can infer that all babies that die are automatically with God. So the verse in Romans 3:22-24 “… for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ...” only refers to those that are intellectually capable of comprehending the existence of God. *What is the “un-pardonable sin”? God’s Word is clear, for all who believe that Jesus as their true savior, will be saved from eternity in hell [refer to “Salvation”], but it is also clear that attributing the works of the Holy Spirit to Satan (blasphemy) is unforgivable as found in Matthew 12:30-32 "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me scatters. 31 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” [refer to “Un-pardonable Sin”] *What is “Victory over Sin”? God has provided a means by which all humans can be forgiven for all of the sins that they commit (assuming that they are accountable). In essence, God provided His Son, Jesus, as the atonement (put in place of) for our sins committed in the past, present, and future. The only thing that God requires, in order for us to receive this free gift, is to accept Jesus as our own personal savior [refer to “Salvation”]. Upon true acceptance, God’s Holy Spirit [refer to “Holy Spirit”] will indwell you and help in combating sin. Unfortunately, there are some Christian denominations that have strayed from God’s Word and claim that forgiveness can be obtained by some sort of work or confession to a church leader, which is not found anywhere in God’s Word. Although, God’s Word does encourage prayer and confession as found in James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” *What about those that have never heard about God or Jesus? Those that are without the ‘Law of God’, which is contained in God’s Word, actually have, what we call the ‘natural Law of God’ which is described in Romans 1:20 “For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Essentially, God makes His presence known to all no matter where they are located. God’s creation and God’s presence in creation puts Him in front of every single human. It is up to each individual to choose to accept God or reject God [refer to “Salvation”]. It is also only God that makes the final decision whether one becomes a personal part of His family [refer to “Creation”]. *Bible References: Matthew 5:29-30 “If your right eye causes you to sin, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. 30 And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” (from New International Version) Matthew 12:30-32 “And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32 Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.” (from New International Version) John 8:34 “Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.” (from New International Version) John 9:39-41 “Jesus said, "For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind." 40 Some Pharisees who were with him heard him say this and asked, "What? Are we blind too?" 41 Jesus said, "If you were blind, you would not be guilty of sin; but now that you claim you can see, your guilt remains.” (from New International Version) also found in John 15:22 “If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin.” (from New International Version) Acts 8:23 “For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin." (from New International Version) Romans 2:12-13 “All who sin apart from the law will also perish apart from the law, and all who sin under the law will be judged by the law. 13 For it is not those who hear the law who are righteous in God's sight, but it is those who obey the law who will be declared righteous.” (from New International Version) [refer to “Law of God”] Romans 5:12 “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned-“ (from New International Version) Romans 3:19-20 “Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. 20 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.” (from New International Version) Romans 5:20-21 “The law was added so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (from New International Version) Romans 6:6-7 “For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.” (from New International Version) Romans 6:11 “In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.” (from New International Version) Romans 6:14 “For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.” (from New International Version) Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (from New International Version) Romans 7:7-8 “What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet." (from New International Version) Romans 8:2 “because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life set me free from the law of sin and death.” (from New International Version) 1 Corinthians 15:56 “The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law.” (from New International Version) 2 Corinthians 5:21 “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (from New International Version) Ephesians 4:26-27 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.” (from New International Version) Colations 2:13-15 “When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross.” (from New International Version) James 1:15 “Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” (from New International Version) James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.” (from New International Version) 1 John 1:8 “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (from New International Version) 1 John 3:4 “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.” (from New International Version) 1 John 3:6 “No one who lives in him keeps on sinning. No one who continues to sin has either seen him or known him. “ (from New International Version) 1 John 3:8 “He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.” (from New International Version) 1 John 3:9 “No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.” (from New International Version) *Non-Biblical References: For a lot of people this “sin” issue is a mute point. They are sort of like the blind Pharisees in John 9:40-41 that don’t believe that they are sinning when in reality they know full well that they are sinners. In other words there are a lot of people thinking that they are “good people”, but in reality are sinning regularly. Then there is the “point-of-view” attitude. One persons point-of-view regarding sin doesn’t necessarily agree with another’s point-of-view. In other words, sinning is all in the eye of the sinner. Which God’s Word debunks. There are also those that calculate sin by morality standards. If it hurts another person, then it is wrong. The level of the pain encountered determines the level of sin. Which God’s Word also debunks. Finally, there is the conscience. If your conscience tells you it is sin, then it is sin. Again, God’s Word debunks. Needless to say, all of these definitions or examples of sin are not Biblical even though many may claim them so. *Overview: So it all boils down to the fact that, thanks to Adam and Eve, we are all sinners (once we become accountable) and this was God’s plan from the beginning. We also know from the Bible several additional facts regarding sin: 1. God hates sin and that eternal separation from God is the primary result of sin. 2. All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory. 3. Before we become a personal part of God’s family, we are all slaves to sin, and Satan/Demons can use it as a foothold on our lives. 4. God has provided, through grace, a way for us to be sinless even though we still sin. This is faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God. Jesus paid the price on the cross. We must accept this gift from God [refer to “Salvation”]. 5. We also can take comfort knowing that God will not let us be tempted beyond what we can handle. Plus, if we are tempted, God will always provide a way out. Whether we take the “way out” is our decision. 1 Corinthians 10:13 “No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.” (from New International Version) 6. The Holy Spirit, that is within us, was given to us as a helper in our quest to sin no more. [refer to “Holy Spirit”] 7. The ultimate sin is not accepting Jesus Christ as your personal savior. Another aspect of sin must be emphasized. There is only one indication establishing the size of sin and that is the “Unpardonable Sin”. All other sin God hates equally, whether it is a small sin or a big sin (if there were such a thing). In other words, except for the “Unpardonable Sin” [refer to “Unpardonable Sin”], it doesn’t matter what the sin is or the quantity, God hates all sin equally. *Additional Links and References: http://christiananswers.net/dictionary/sin.html?zoom_highlight=sin ../Sin/Sin.doc www.Smart-Flock/Knowledge/.. 4/30/2017 Page 1 of 10