The Sinfulness of Sin

Simply put, sin is missing the mark. A Google search will reveal that missing the mark means “failing to achieve the result that was intended.”

The Westminster Shorter Catechism states that, “Man’s chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him for ever.” Jesus told us that the greatest commandment that God gave us is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and love your neighbour as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37,39).

A natural human being is unable to either “glorify God and enjoy him forever” or fulfil the greatest commandment that God gave us. This failure to be able to do this is called sin.

The first chapter of Romans shows us that just by seeing and observing nature, every human being should be aware of God’s existence. However, we have failed to glorify or thank Him; we are without excuse (Vs. 19-20). Our thinking has become futile and our hearts darkened (Vs 21). What is worse, humans have worshiped man made idols (Vs. 23, 25). Even our desires have become sinful (Vs.24).

Romans 3:23 states that ‘we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’

Mark 7:20-22 shows us that the heart of the problem is the condition of our hearts and it is from the overflow of our hearts that we produce actions that defiles us. We see clearly from these verses how evil the human heart has become: ‘For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person,’

Later, we will look at another similar list of acts of the sinful nature. But first, where did we get this sinful nature from?

Well, it all started in the Garden of Eden. Most of us know the story well. We can read in the first two chapters of Genesis (Book of Beginnings – note well, ‘Beginnings’ because later on when we look at re-generation, we will see how God has provided a way for us all to have a new beginning). God created us and we were made in the image of almighty God. We had fellowship with Him. God gave one commandment and that was that they could eat from any tree in the garden, but they must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for if they were to eat from it, they would certainly die.

In chapter three of Genesis we read how Adam and Eve disobeyed this commandment, they rebelled against God. Death then came to the human race and they we banished from the Garden of Eden and fellowship with God was broken.

The number one element that constitutes ‘sin’ is rebellion against God. And rebellion against God is the root cause of every single problem we have.

What causes rebellion, well, pride does and the root of pride and rebellion against God can be found in a created being; a fallen angel called Satan (or the Devil).

You have probably heard it told many times that at the heart of sin is ‘I’. Look what Satan said to himself (Isaiah 14:13-14):

• “I will ascend to the heavens.”
• “I will raise my throne above the stars of God.”
• “I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly….”
• “I will ascend above the tops of the clouds.”
• “I will make myself like the Most High.”

That last “I will” statement is the one that Satan used to successfully tempt Adam and Eve because he enticed them by thinking that they could become like God if they ate the forbidden fruit.

Contrary to the modern picture of Satan as being an ugly red thing with horns and a pitch fork, he was actually described in Ezekiel 28 as being adorned in beauty and it was on account of his beauty that he became proud and was thrown out of heaven (Ezekiel 28:17) and a third of the angels went with him (Revelation 12:4).

Further key verses tell us that rebellion against God is at the very heart of sin:

Isaiah 53:6

We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way;…”

Jeremiah 2:13

“My people have committed two sins; They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns that cannot hold water.”

While we are still thinking about the origin of sin and looking at the beginning of the book of Genesis, let us look at Genesis chapter 6 and what led up to the world-wide flood. In Genesis 6:5 we read: “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.

This is where we need to take a sharp intake of breath, because often we think of sin as being something we do and that it’s alright to think bad thoughts as long as we don’t act on them – wrong! God looks on the state of a person’s heart; what’s on their mind; what do they think about? Which begs the question: How is our thought life?

So, ever since Adam we have all inherited this sin nature. Psalm 51:5 states, “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”

Sin entered the world through Adam and the wages of sin has always been death (Roman 5:12 & 6:23).

These are some examples of acts of the sinful nature (Galatians 5:19-20):

• Sexual immorality
• Impurity
• Debauchery (excessive indulgence in sex, alcohol, or drugs.)
• Idolatry
• Witchcraft
• Hatred
• Discord (Disagreement between people)
• Jealousy
• Fits of rage
• Selfish ambition
• Dissensions (Disunity and Disputes)
• Factions (Differences of Opinion that lead to Disunity)
• Envy
• Drunkenness
• Orgies

Now, prior to God giving us His Law (primarily in the Ten Commandments) the sin that was in the world was because of Adam.

However, ever since the giving of the Ten Commandments, the Law, every breach of those commandments has been charged against us. It’s like an accountants debt ledger; every time we broke one of the commandments our debt just got bigger and the entries against us increased (Romans 5:13-14). This is what is known as ‘imputed sin’.

This then is another element contained in what we know as ‘sin’ and that is ‘lawlessness’. 1 John 3:4 says it like this: “Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.”

Finally, just to prove how all encompassing sin is in the life of every human being; it’s not just what we have inherited through our genes; it’s not just our rebellion towards God; it’s not just impure thoughts or actions; there is also what is known as ‘sins of omission’. James 4:17 puts it like this:

“If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.”

This all sounds like pretty bad news doesn’t it. However, we have a remedy and if you have already read my first Blog, then it starts with Repentance.

Next time we will look at faith that leads to salvation.

Before you go, you might like to look at this short video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUaBPcdq9kQ

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