What is Sin?

Introduction:

(1)    President Calvin Coolidge returned home one Sunday afternoon from attending morning worship services.  His wife, who was unable to attend, asked him what the preacher’s lesson was about that morning.  He replied: “Sin.”  His wife then proceeded to inquire more about the content of the lesson.  He said: “Well, I think he was against it.”

(2)    Let us note what sin is:

Discussion:

I.                   Definition of Sin –

A.    Augustine said: “Sin is believing the lie that you are self-created, self-dependent, and self-sustained.”

B.     Regarding sin, one observed:

Man calls it an accident, God calls it an abomination

Man calls it a blunder, God calls it a blindness

Man calls it a defect, God calls it a disease

Man calls it chance, God calls it a choice

Man calls it an error, God calls it enmity

Man calls it fascination, God calls it fatality

Man calls it an infirmity, God calls it iniquity

Man calls it luxury, God calls it leprosy

Man calls it liberty, God calls it lawlessness

Man calls it a trifle, God calls it a tragedy

Man calls it a mistake, God calls it madness

Man calls it a weakness, God calls it willfulness

C.     The Bible’s definition of sin:

1.      Old Testament words for sin –

a.       “Pesha” – transgression, rebellion (Exod. 34:7; Psa. 32:1, 2)

b.      “Avon” – that which is twisted or crooked (Psa. 51: 2, 5)

2.      New Testament words for sin –

a.       “Hamartia” – to miss the mark (Rom. 3:23; Eph. 4:26)

b.      “Parabasis” – transgressing or over passing a line (Rom. 4:15; Gal. 3:19)

c.       “Paraptoma” – falling where one should have stood (Rom. 4:25; 5:15)

d.      “Anomia” – lawlessness (Matt. 7:23; 13:41)

e.       “Adikia” – bending the right and making it crooked (2 Tim. 2:19;

Acts 8:23)

II.                Types of Sin –

A.    A violation of one’s conscience (Rom. 14:23)

B.     A failure to include God in one’s plans (James 4:17)

C.     A breaking of God’s law (1 John 4:3)

D.    A failure to obey God’s law (1 John 5:17)

III.             Process of Sin (James 1:13-15) –

A.    Temptation

1.      Lust of the flesh

2.      Lust of the eyes

3.      Pride of life (1 John 2:15-17)

B.     Action

C.     Condemnation

IV.             Results of Sin –

A.    In a book, All Thumbs Guide to VCR’s, Gene Williams wrote:

Getting a jolt from the incoming 120 volts ac (120 VAC) is more than unpleasant; it can be fatal. Studies have shown that it takes very little current to kill. Even a small amount of current can paralyze your muscles, and you won’t be able to let go. Just a fraction more and your heart muscle can become paralyzed.

B.     In Genesis 3, we se that sin brought about:

1.      Guilt (v. 8)

2.      Fear (v. 10)

3.      Shame (v. 7)

4.      Death (v. 16)

5.      Separation (v. 23)

6.      Subjection (v. 16)

7.      Sorrow (v. 16)

8.      Servile toil (vv. 17-19)

C.     Because of sin, man has taken:

The deity out of religion

The supernatural out of Christianity

The authority out of the Bible

God out of education

Morality and virtue our of literature

Beauty and truth out of art

Ethics out of business

Fidelity out of marriage

V.                Cost of Sin -

- The Cross -