The Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin

SEEING SIN FOR WHAT IT IS

Introduction: The Greek word most often translated "sin" literally means to "miss the mark." Thus, we sin when we "miss the mark" which God has set for us (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 4:26). But there are other things that we need to know about sin, if we are to truly recognize it for what it is.

OTHER WORDS FOR SIN

A. "Transgression" - "Primarily a going aside, then, an overstepping, is used metaphorically of transgressing the tradition of the elders, Matt. 15:2; the commandment of God, 15:3; in Acts 1:25, of Judas" (Vine, page 1172).

B. "Iniquity" - "Lawlessness" (Vine, page 600); “In 1 John 3:4, the R.V. adheres to the real meaning of the word, ‘every one that doeth sin (a practice, not the committal of an act) doeth also lawlessness: and sin is lawlessness.’ This definition of sin sets forth its essential character as the rejection of the law, or will, of God and the substitution of the will of self” (Vine, page 657).

C. "Unrighteousness" - "The comprehensive term for wrong, or wrong-doing, as between persons" (Vine, page 1197).

TYPES OF SIN

A. Sins of commission

1. Violations of God's law (1 John 3:4)

2. Violations of your conscience (Rom. 14:1-23)

B. Sins of omission

1. Failing to keep God's commands (1 John 5:17)

2. Failing to do what you know to be good (James 4:17)

BIBLICAL FIGURES FOR SIN

A. "A heavy burden" (Psalm 38:4-6; Isaiah 24:20)

B. "A foolish insanity" (Numbers 12:11; 1 Samuel 13:13; 2 Samuel 24:10)

C. "A hard taskmaster" (John 8:34; Romans 6:6,16-18; 2 Peter 2:19)

D. "A putrefying disease" (Isa. 1:6; Hosea 7:1; 14:4; Psalm 41:4)

E. "A defiling filth" (2 Cor. 7:1; 2 Peter 2:20-22; James 1:21)

F. "A binding debt" (Matthew 6:12,14,15; 13:23-35)

G. "A blemishing stain" (Psalm 51:1,2,7; Eph. 5:25-27)

H. "An impenetrable darkness" (2 Cor. 6:14; 1 John 1:6; 2:9,11)

Conclusion: God’s word describes sin in the most negative of terms. He seems to want us to be as repulsed by the idea of sin as He is. Sin makes God sick (Rev. 3:16), and it should make us sick.