Causes of sin

Sin as a result of the devil’s activity

The devil’s instigation of the first sin

Genesis 3:13 CSB

So the Lord God asked the woman, “What have you done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.”

See also Ge 3:1–6; 2 Co 11:3; Re 12:9

The devil’s role as tempter

1 Thessalonians 3:5 CSB

For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing.

See also Mt 4:1–11; Mt 6:13

The devil as the source of sinful behaviour

John 8:44 CSB

You are of your father the devil, and you want to carry out 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 tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

See also Jn 8:38; Jn 8:41; 1 Jn 3:8; 1 Jn 3:10

The sins of angels

2 Peter 2:4 CSB

For if God didn’t spare the angels who sinned but cast them into hell and delivered them in chains of utter darkness to be kept for judgment;

See also Jud 6

Sin as a power in the world

Sin’s reign from the time of Adam

Romans 5:12 CSB

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, in this way death spread to all people, because all sinned.

See also Ge 4:7; Jn 8:34; Ro 5:21; Ro 6:16

Sin uses the law to provoke sinful desires

Romans 7:5 CSB

For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions aroused through the law were working in us to bear fruit for death.

See also Ro 7:7–12; 1 Co 15:56

The world is under sin’s dominion

1 John 2:16 CSB

For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride in one’s possessions—is not from the Father, but is from the world.

See also Lk 21:34; Tt 2:12

Sin is rooted in human nature

The human heart is dominated by sin

Jeremiah 17:9 CSB

The heart is more deceitful than anything else, and incurable—who can understand it?

See also Mt 15:19; Ro 1:24; Heb 3:12

Human nature is fundamentally opposed to God

Romans 8:5–8 CSB

For those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit have their minds set on the things of the Spirit. Now the mindset of the flesh is death, but the mindset of the Spirit is life and peace. The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed, it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

See also Ro 7:14–25; Ga 5:17–21; Eph 2:3; 2 Pe 2:10; 2 Pe 2:18

The act of sinning

Sin results from giving in to evil desires

James 1:14–15 CSB

But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.

See also Ro 13:13–14; Jas 4:1; Jud 16

Sin results from the human desire to be like God

Genesis 3:5 CSB

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

See also Is 14:12–14; Eze 28:2

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

Romans 6:13 CSB

And do not offer any parts of it to sin as weapons for unrighteousness. But as those who are alive from the dead, offer yourselves to God, and all the parts of yourselves to God as weapons for righteousness.

See also Mt 5:29–30; Mt 18:8–9

Sin results from the influence of others

1 Corinthians 15:33 CSB

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

See also Ex 23:33; 1 Ki 11:3; Pr 1:10; Pr 22:24–25

The seriousness of leading others into sin

Mark 9:42 CSB

“But whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to fall away—it would be better for him if a heavy millstone were hung around his neck and he were thrown into the sea.

See also 1 Co 8:9–13