What is sin, and is it still relevant today? This devotion, the first in the Sin and Temptation series, looks at the nature, allure, and consequences of sin.
Nuggets
- We sin when we willfully do something when we have been told not to do it or don’t do something we have been told to do.
- We can’t change a sin from being a sin to not being a sin.
- Sin can increase because, once we commit the sin, it is easier for us to commit it again, even if we intend only one instance.
- Growing in knowledge of God helps us to bring the sin to light so that we can get rid of it.
- Sin has consequences.
To read devotions in the Sin and Temptation series, click the appropriate button below.
What Is Sin?
So, I told you that my word for the year is self-discipline. When I was looking up scriptures associated with that, the only I really liked was about temptation.
I see that. We have to discipline ourselves not to fall into temptation’s grasp.
I got to thinking about that. After we become believers, the temptation starts. That temptation used by Satan to get us to commit sins.
We have to understand about sin and temptation before we can look at how to discipline ourselves to withstand the temptation. So, if we look at sin through the lens of temptation, what do we get?
Let's Put It into Context
“But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (I Jn. 1: 9 NLT)
Some may think sin is not relevant because nothing is considered a sin anymore. However, they would be wrong.
God still considers a sin a sin. “God is not a man, that he might lie, or a son of man, that he might change his mind. Does he speak and not act, or promise and not fulfill?” (Num. 23: 19 CSB).
Wait! What? Chick, did you say a couple of paragraphs ago that Christians still sin after they become Christians?
Yes, I did. No one throws a switch and [read this with a different accent] talks differently, and walks differently, and acts differently – of course not, sugar.
[Go back to normal now.]
What some don’t think about is that salvation is a process. Yes, there is the initial you-are-now-saved-so-you-are-spiritually-alive point. Sometimes, we don’t focus as much on the work-out-your-salvation command.
Well, that does make it harder. Because it makes it …….. work.
We aren’t going to be totally perfect until heaven. But we have to practice now — you know, practice makes perfect.
First, let’s take a look at the nature and the consequences of sin. Then we can look at the nature of temptation. Then we will jumble it up together. It is going to take three devotions.
What Is Sin?
“We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one” (I Jn. 5: 19 NLT)
Sin is when we disobey God and break one of His laws and commandments. He has specific do’s and don’ts interspersed in His Word. They aren’t hidden from us.
We would not consider all sin totally, totally evil (like a lie). But all sin comes from the evil one — Satan.
The issue is when we willfully do something when we have been told not to do it. Or the flip side, we don’t do something we have been told to do.
The point is, are we obedient to God? Are we living the way He wants us to live? Are we treating others the way He wants us to treat them?
Yes, sin is whatever God says is a sin. We don’t get a choice in the matter.
We can’t change a sin from being a sin to not being a sin. Nor was that Jesus’ intent. “Don’t think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to abolish but to fulfill. For truly I tell you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law until all things are accomplished” (Mt. 5: 17-18 CSB).
God has already spoken. Now, the choice is up to us.
The Nature of Sin
Judkin, in his sermon The Nature and Consequences of Sin, gave us five great bullet points on sin. They are the following:
- “Sin is a gathering evil.”
- “Sin is a deceiving power.”
- “Sin is a gradual hardening of the heart.”
- “Sin is ineffaceable.”
- “Sin is a contagious evil.”
Sin can increase because, once we commit the sin, it is easier for us to commit it again, even if we intend only one instance. It may look even more inviting, especially if no consequences were felt.
This is just one way that sin deceives. Another way is the worldview of “if it brings you pleasure, you need not feel guilty about it.”
Increased sin and increased deception makes us question whether it really is a sin at all. This line of thinking is turning to question God and His authority over us.
I know. I had to look up ineffaceable. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, that means that ineradicable. Sin is a permanent mark that cannot be forgotten or removed unless it is by the God Who created us.
One of the worst things about sin is it is contagious. Someone sees someone else doing something, and they begin to think it is okay.
But it isn’t. Remember “… not the smallest letter or one stroke of a letter will pass away from the law …” (Mt. 5: 17-18 CSB).
Sin’s Allure
In some cases, sin is the easiest way out. In other instances, it is just so appealing. Isn’t the attraction for a lot of sin the pleasure it brings without the guilt?
Unfortunately, Satan makes sure we have an intense desire for what we should not have or do.
Bringing Sin to Light
“Everything exposed by the light is made visible” (Eph. 5: 13 CSB)
Yes, sin is a part of this body. But our goal is to be growing in grace and knowledge of God (I Pet. 3: 18). Growing in knowledge of God helps us to bring the sin to light so that we can get rid of it.
This growth will help us become the ones we will be in heaven. That means exhibiting less of the physical, sinful nature and more of the spiritual nature.
In order to do that, we have to get sin out of our lives. The only way we are going to get sin out is to identify it and ask God to remove it.
Oh, yeah. It is going to take some work on our part. That is where the self-discipline comes in to play.
Consequences of Sin
“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6: 23 NLT)
Why is it so important to bring sin to light? It is because sin has consequences.
We’ve talked before that the consequences of the original sin was spiritual death and separation from God. The results of that sin were poverty, crime, disease, death just to name a few.
We aren’t going to do much about the results of sin. Yes, wonderful save the kids, save the animals, save the planet groups may make great strides for a limited number of people. But their results remain with a limited amount of people.
Making the Connections
We do have hope. “Samuel replied, ‘Don’t be afraid. Even though you have committed all this evil, don’t turn away from following the LORD. Instead, worship the LORD with all your heart’” (I Sam. 12: 20 CSB).
Fortunately, we can do something about the consequences of sin. All we have to do is our ABCDs.
How Do We Apply This?
We have to A) admit our sins, B) believe that Jesus as Redeemer and Savior, C) confess God as Sovereign Lord, and D) demonstrate that commitment by following our job description.
Plan of Salvation
If you have not admitted that your relationship is not right with God,
have not asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior,
and have not confessed your sins,
please read through the Plan of Salvation and prayerfully consider what God is asking you to do.
The Disciple’s Job Description
There is only one unpardonable sin. That is not ABCDing.
To read a related devotion, click the button below.
Now, once we become believers, that is when Satan starts tempting us. He didn’t have to before because he already had us.
But now, we are a child of God. He has to do all he can to wreck our witness and turn us from God.
Hopefully, we can withstand the temptation. We do that by seeking Him even before the temptation starts.
Searching for and Seeking God
Hearing His Word (Rom. 10: 17 NLT).
Reading His Word (Rev. 1: 3 ESV).
Praying to Him (Heb. 4: 16 ESV).
Studying His Word (Ac. 17: 11 NLT).
Meditating on His Word (Ps. 1: 1-2).
Memorizing His Word (Ps. 119: 11 NLT).
To read Has God Provided Everything We Need?, click the button below.
When the temptations come and we fail — which we will — we just need to confess those sins. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (I Jn. 1: 9 NLT).
Paul also gave us words of encouragement. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (I Cor. 10: 13 NLT).
See? God is going to help us in every way He know how to help us be successful in resisting the temptation. We just have to put our faith and trust in Him.
Father. We are sinful people living in a sinful world. Thank You that You have made us a forgiven people. Help us to grow more like You so that, when the temptations do come, we can withstand them and grow even closer to You. Amen.
What do you think?
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