Sin

Thank you for joining us today. We as humankind have an epidemic that is causing a part of the havoc we see worldwide. I say a 'part' because there is more than one enemy of God. It is understood that when we say 'enemy' of God, we are often referring to satan. However, there is another enemy who is just as insidious to the will and rule of God in the earth. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak to you concerning the Truth which is being presented in the post today. Eric

This week's post is a subject many have chosen to ignore or do not recognize because of societal acceptance. Our topic is 'Sin'.

Large portions of our societies have decided that what is right, is whatever is 'right' in their own eyes. Men are claiming that 'truth' is what you make it or want it to be. They have failed to recognize or accept that 'absolute truth' does exist in the world. The Word of God is absolute truth. Proverbs 30:5a reads, "Every word of God proves true." 2 Samuel 22:31 a and b (NIV) instructs us, "As for God, his way is perfect: The LORD's word is flawless;" Then we read in John 17:17, "Your Word is Truth."

The Word of God has graciously been given to us by the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent, holy God Who created the world. When you do not align your life (decisions, attitudes, actions and behaviors) with the Word of God, then, you are living in sin.

Isaiah 5:20 through 23 (NIV) reads, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter. 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and clever in their own sight. 22 Woe to those who are heroes at drinking wine and champions at mixing drinks, 23 who acquit the guilty for a bribe, but deny justice to the innocent." 'Woe' in these verses is a piercing exclamation that conveys grief, alarm or impending judgment. (Bible Hub Topical Lexicon). Proverbs 14:12 reveals, "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death." Man's way leads to death, however the path of righteousness is life.

Again, men are claiming that truth is what 'they' make it or want it to be. Why? They desire to be in control, don't want anyone telling them what to do, they are rebellious to authority and desire to be their own god. They desire to throw off having to be obedient to God. They want to express their self-reliance and are full of pride.

Psalm 2:1-3 reveals that nations rage and people plot, kings and rulers ban together against the Lord saying, "Let us break off Their chains and throw off Their shackles." "'Rage' suggests a deep seated anger and unrest indicative of humanity's sinful nature and resistance to God's rule. It is not just physical but also a spiritual battle. 'Plot' indicates a deliberate and calculated effort to overthrow divine authority." (Bible Hub Study Bible). The phrases 'let us break off their chains and cast away their cords' reflects the rebellious nature of humanity against divine authority. In biblical context, 'chains' symbolize the perceived restrictions or limitations imposed by God's laws and decrees. "This rebellion is rooted in the sin nature of humanity. Theologically, this reflects the ongoing battle against human will and divine authority" (Bible Hub Study Bible). I Samuel 15:23a reveals that “rebellion is as the sin of divination (witchcraft). Thus, the issue is human authority or rebellion that opposes divine rule.

You see, the devil tempted and deceived Eve, however, Eve and Adam made the choice in their humanity to disobey God's command and sin. For a lot of mankind, it doesn't take much for them to reject the chains and cords of the Lord's will. They ultimately do what they want to do. It usually doesn't take much persuasion for us to 'do what we want to do!'

Proverbs 3:7 reveals we are to not be wise in our own eyes. We are to fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 'Fear' is to have deep respect, to acknowledge His power and authority and to revere or be afraid of God.

What a lot of mankind does not realize or want to believe is that their self-reliance and pride leads to moral and spiritual blindness. Again, when we do not align our life (decisions, attitudes, actions and behaviors) with the Word of God, then we are living in sin. Unrepentant sin leads to death - eternal separation from the presence of God and all that His is, i.e. light, love, joy and peace... The wages of sin is death and our sins separate us from our God. (Romans 6:23 and Isaiah 59:2).

What is the Biblical definition of sin? We will examine a number of sources to gain an accurate and thorough understanding of what sin is. 1 John 3:4 defines sin as 'lawlessness.' Lawlessness, anomia in the Greek, means: iniquity, transgression and unrighteousness. HELPS Word-studies states, "Lawlessness is the utter disregard for God's law. (His written and living Word). According to the Bible Hub Topical Lexicon, "anomia gathers into a single word the attitude, practice and condition of living without regard for the revealed will of God. It speaks not merely of isolated transgressions but of a principle that rejects divine authority, erects self rule and finally produces social, moral and spiritual chaos."

The Greek word for 'sin' is hamartia and means missing the mark. The Bible Hub Topical Lexicon reveals that sin is a violation of God's holy character and covenant.

I define 'sin' as anything outside the will of God.

The Scripture does not leave us in the dark concerning sin.

Ephesians 4:22-31 reveals that our old self ( before Christ) was corrupted by deceitful desires. We need to be made new in the attitude of our mind. We must choose to 'put on' the new self which was created to be like God. There should be a definitive break between the 'old' and the 'new'. Note though, that we will need to continue to 'put off' the old and to 'put on' the new. That means we must choose daily to follow righteousness.

The sins we need to 'put off' or stop doing include: speaking falsehoods; sinning in anger; stealing; unwholesome talk out of our mouth; grieving the Holy Spirit; bitterness; rage; brawling and all malice. (Ephesians 4) We also need to stop sexual immorality; impurity; lust; evil desires; greed (idolatry); slander and filthy language. (Colossians 3:5). Also, put off wickedness; evil greed; depravity; envy; murder; strife; deceit; gossip; pride; being boastful; being those who come up with new forms of evil; disobedience to parents; being heartless and merciless. (Romans 1:29-31).

Stop : Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness; idolatry, witchcraft; hatred; discord; jealousy; fits of rage; selfish ambition; dissensions; factions; envy; drunkenness and orgies. (Galatians 5:19).

Since I have heard over and over again that the Bible does not indicate that homosexuality is a sin or against God's will, I am going to include Romans 1:21-27, " For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they became futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Claiming to be wise, they became fools, 23 and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images resembling mortal man and birds and animals and creeping things. 24 Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, 25 because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; 27 and the men likewise gave up natural relations with women and were consumed with passion for one another, men committing shameless acts with men and receiving in themselves the due penalty for their error."

These verses break my heart, Romans 1:28 and 32, "And since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done." 32 "Though they know God's righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but give approval to those who practice them." How terribly tragic, they know it will lead to death, and yet they do it anyway. Then, they encourage others to join in their sin, who will face the same judgment!

Many believe erroneously that because God is love and has given grace that sin is not a big deal. However, if we practice sin, the Scriptures say we are of the devil, are a slave to sin and will not inherit the kingdom of God. (1 John 3:8, John 8:34 and Galatians 5:21).

There are sins of commission, doing something against the will of God and sins of omission as we see in James 4:17 which reads, " So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin." 'Right things' are actions aligned with God's will as revealed through Scriptures and the teachings of Christ.

There is only one remedy or cure for sin - that is the redemption we receive through the sacrificial blood of Jesus. "Jesus released us from our sins by His blood." (Revelation 1:5). Hallelujah! Jesus made a way where there was no way! The blood of Christ has paid the price for our sins to be forgiven. When we confess our sin to God and repent (turn away from it) we are forgiven!

We live in a fallen world and will never lose our free will to choose what we do or do not do. Temptation will always be around us. So, we must continually choose to do God's will. There may be times when we slip up. 1 John 1:7-10 lets us know we will still deal with sin. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves. However, praise God for verse 9, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

1 Corinthians 10:13 encourages us with these words, "No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. 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 endure it."

When those temptations come - flee from them! Remember, you do not have to allow them to overtake you! Use His way out! Depend on Him to strengthen you to resist! You see, a lot of people do not know the Word of God and can very easily be deceived. Study the Word of God every chance you get. Also, allow the Holy Spirit to reveal anything that is offensive that is in your life. Psalm 139:23,24 (NIV) reads, "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." If He reveals there is sin in your life that needs to be dealt with, acknowledge it, confess it and turn away from it (repent)! With His help, you choose to do all you can to live a holy life before God!

One last thing today. Sin is real and must be dealt with. I am asking you to please, without fail, read Romans 6:1-23.

Sin is a serious issue - do not take it lightly, do not sluff it off! Deal with your flesh or sinful nature! Choose to do God's will!

Please, don't forget to read Romans 6:1-23.

Unless otherwise noted, all Scriptures are taken from the English Standard Version.

NIV New International Version