What is sin? How did sin originate? Did we inherit sin? What happens when Christians sin? Does God have a solution to sin?
This Strange Word
Sin is a strange word to our modern ears. To some people it comes across as very judgmental or even archaic. But that is not the case at all when we understand what it really means.
Our English word sin is a translation of many different words in the original languages of the Bible, Hebrew and sometimes Aramaic in the Old Testament and Greek in the New Testament. The ancient meanings actually have very important relevance for us today.
Missing the Mark
One Hebrew word ????? (chata) simply means to miss the mark or miss the way.
Moses said to the people, "Do not be afraid; for God has come in order to test you, and in order that the fear of Him may remain with you, so that you may not sin." (Exodus 20:20 NASB)
We may think of archers or shooters aiming for the bull’s eye on a target or a traveler taking the wrong road.
God created us for an ideal life, which we often miss out on for any number of reasons. We miss out because of our own bad decisions or the consequences of other people’s wrong choices.
When we come to the New Testament one of the common Greek words for sin ?µa?t?a (hamartia) also means to miss the mark.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (Romans 5:12 NLT)
This is the word that gives rise to a branch of theology, the study of sin called hamartiology.
Moral Evil
Another Hebrew word ??? (ra) is much more serious, meaning evil or ruin.
But Er was a wicked man in the LORD's sight, so the LORD took his life. (Genesis 38:7 NLT)
We all recognize that some human actions are just plain evil or ruinous. We could think of such actions like murder and theft. That is not judgmentalism, but a simple fact of life. We all recognize that some things are just plain wrong.
Another Greek word p?????? (poneros) also refers to the more serious side of sin, moral evil.
See to it, brothers and sisters, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. (Hebrews 3:12 NIV)
Morality plays a role in keeping any society civilized. When moral evil becomes too prevalent the social order begins to break down into chaos.
Going Astray
Another Hebrew word translated as sin ?????? (shag’ah) means going astray.
But if you sin unintentionally, and do not observe all these commandments that the LORD has spoken to Moses… (Numbers 15:22 ESV)
We could have in mind a young person who makes some bad decisions, a spouse who cheats in their marriage or an executive who engages in fraud. While we all make mistakes, some mistakes are big ones with long-term consequences.
Lawlessness
When a society begins to collapse into anarchy another Greek word describing sin ???µ?a (anomia) meaning lawlessness becomes more relevant.
Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. (1 John 3:4 NIV)
All free societies must balance the twin sides of “freedom to” and “freedom from”. Our freedom to do what we want must be balanced by the need to be free from the negative consequences of our own actions and those of others.
One of the greatest threats to freedom is lawlessness, yet in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained how difficult it is for a Christian to keep the spirit of the law. So, we need someone to set us free from our innate inability to keep the law. Hence, true freedom is only found in Christ. We are not free to continue sinning, but no longer slaves to the penalty for past sins.
What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. (Romans 6:15 KJV)
So Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (Galatians 5:1 NLT)
Sin’s Origin
According to the Bible, sin did not actually begin in humanity but in the angelic realm.
Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say, ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden’?” (Genesis 3:1 NIV)
But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 11:3 KJV)
You were in Eden, the garden of God… I ordained and anointed you as the mighty angelic guardian. You had access to the holy mountain of God and walked among the stones of fire. “You were blameless in all you did from the day you were created until the day evil was found in you.” (Ezekiel 28:12-19 NLT)
Sin was transferred from there to the human family.
When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam's sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (Romans 5:12 NLT)
and He made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined their appointed times and the boundaries of their habitation (Acts 17:26 NASB)
Inherited Sin
When it comes to sin, none of us can be snobs who look down on other families as inferior. Sin is like a bad family character trait passed on from generation to generation, and every family is infected. For example, anger issues pass through families. Environment is probably the main reason here, and the inspired Proverbs seem to agree.
Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared. (Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV)
Because of Adam’s sin we were all born with the hereditary blemish that fills our environment, the stain of sin, and as a result, all humanity experiences suffering and death.
For the sin of this one man, Adam, caused death to rule over many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:12-21 NLT)
For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. (Psalm 51:5 NLT)
All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. (Ephesians 2:3 NIV)
When Christians Sin
Christians have a life-changing “metanoia” experience in regard to sin. Yet, all Christians still sin, even after conversion. The difference is that Christians no longer want to sin and when they do fall as they will; they confess it, ask for forgiveness and receive it, being justified by faith.
Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord will never count against them. (Romans 4:7-8 NIV)
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you. (Ephesians 4:32 KJV)
Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. (Romans 5:1 NLT)
This is no excuse for bad behavior. Christians ought to be good examples to their neighbors, even though they are not perfect.
Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, do you ask for a ruling from those whose way of life is scorned in the church? (1 Corinthians 6:1-8 NIV)
These older women must train the younger women… Then they will not bring shame on the word of God. In the same way, encourage the young men to live wisely… Then those who oppose us will be ashamed and have nothing bad to say about us. (Titus 2:4-8 NLT)
When Christian’s sin God does chasten them.
For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. (Hebrews 12:6 (KJV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 NIV)
If it becomes serious enough and adversely affects others, the church may even need to intervene.
Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. (Hebrews 3:12-13 KJV)
If another believer sins against you, go privately… if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you… If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector. (Matthew 18:15-17 NLT)
It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you… hand this man over to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved on the day of the Lord… Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. (1 Corinthians 5:1-8 NIV)
God’s Solution for Sin
The consequences of sin are death. All people will die at least once.
Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment (Hebrews 9:27 NIV)
For those who reject God’s offer of forgiveness of sin, there is a second death.
Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons… And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life. (Matthew 25:41, 46 NLT)
Then death and Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death, the lake of fire. And if anyone’s name was not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire. (Revelation 20:14-15 NASB)
Our sins prevent us from finding true joy and happiness, but God offers us His help. We must be willing to allow God to form and shape our lives so that we can reach our full potential.
Pictured as the Master Potter, God’s primary goal is our formation into valuable vessels.
Now we see how God does make us acceptable to him. The Law and the Prophets tell how we become acceptable, and it isn’t by obeying the Law of Moses. God treats everyone alike. He accepts people only because they have faith in Jesus Christ… (Romans 3:21-26 CEV)
You will say to me then, “Why does he still find fault? For who can resist his will?” But who are you, O man, to answer back to God? Will what is molded say to its molder, “Why have you made me like this?” Has the potter no right over the clay, to make out of the same lump one vessel for honorable use and another for dishonorable use?... (Romans 9:19-23 ESV)
He deals with our imperfections in two ways. First, He covers them because of His love.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1 NKJV)
You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. (Psalm 85:2 NIV)
Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins. (Proverbs 10:12 NKJV)
Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. (Romans 4:7 KJV)
Second, He forgives our foibles and offenses.
He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases. (Psalm 103:3 NLT)
Forgive us for doing wrong, as we forgive others. (Matthew 6:12 CEV)
This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. (Matthew 26:28 NIV)
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name. (Acts 10:43 ESV)
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace (Ephesians 1:7 NIV)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 KJV)
I am writing to you, dear children, because your sins have been forgiven on account of his name. (1 John 2:12 NIV)
Well that’s it for this time. Next time we’ll discuss the importance of the Bible.
