Causes of sin

Sin as a result of the devil’s activity

The devil’s instigation of the first sin

Genesis 3:13 ESV

Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

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The devil’s role as tempter

1 Thessalonians 3:5 ESV

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.

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The devil as the source of sinful behaviour

John 8:44 ESV

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.

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The sins of angels

2 Peter 2:4 ESV

For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but cast them into hell and committed them to chains of gloomy darkness to be kept until the judgment;

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Sin as a power in the world

Sin’s reign from the time of Adam

Romans 5:12 ESV

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned—

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Sin uses the law to provoke sinful desires

Romans 7:5 ESV

For while we were living in the flesh, our sinful passions, aroused by the law, were at work in our members to bear fruit for death.

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The world is under sin’s dominion

1 John 2:16 ESV

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world.

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Sin is rooted in human nature

The human heart is dominated by sin

Jeremiah 17:9 ESV

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?

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Human nature is fundamentally opposed to God

Romans 8:5–8 ESV

For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

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The act of sinning

Sin results from giving in to evil desires

James 1:14–15 ESV

But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.

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Sin results from the human desire to be like God

Genesis 3:5 ESV

For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

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Sin results when the body is placed at sin’s disposal

Romans 6:13 ESV

Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness.

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Sin results from the influence of others

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

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The seriousness of leading others into sin

Mark 9:42 ESV

“Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him if a great millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

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