What Sin Is

What makes sin sinful? What determines if it is wrong? There are consequences for sinning, but the results of the sin are only the wages we receive for what we did.

Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (NKJ)

James 1:13-18 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the Word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. (NKJ)

Is God concerned with the sin itself or the reason we sinned? The problem is with the root and not the fruit. Consequences do not determine if it is wrong or right. Why did we sin?

Matthew 15:18-20a But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. 19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies. 20 These are the things which defile a man, (NKJ)

Sin is only a byproduct of what is in the heart. You cannot stop sinning by restraint. The heart must be cleansed by the Word of God. Not the mere reading of it, but the application of it – true faith in it.

Ephesians 5:25b-27 … even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it; 26 That He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word, 27 That He might present it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. (NKJ)

Romans 12:1-3a I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your  reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, … (NKJ)

Proverbs 23:7a For as he (a man*) thinks in his heart, so is he. (NKJ) (*emphases mine)

The real issue, the root of the problem, the heart of the matter with the sin is our lack of trust in God as our provider. We try to supply our own need rather than trusting Him to meet that need.

Matthew 6:7-8;31-33 And when you pray, do not use vain repetitions as the heathen do. For they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 “Therefore do not be like them. For your Father knows the things you have need of before you ask Him. 31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. (NKJ)

When you are faced with a problem or a need, what is the first thing you do? What do you seek – a supply or The Provider?

Philippians 4:19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

That doesn’t happen automatically. It requires faith in Him and His ability rather than trying to fix it yourself. Faith is the capability to see things through the lens of the Word instead of natural circumstances. Faith is the foundation for what you expect, it’s the assurance, title deed for what you cannot see.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (NKJ)

Faith requires an object in order to be faith. Otherwise, it is superstition. The Word, God’s eternal, unchanging promise is that object.

Romans 14:23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (NKJ)

So, we have come full circle back to the very source of sin. A heart not relying on God to meet its needs. Every temptation that comes your way will be trying to get you to act in and of your own resources instead of putting your total trust in God and His Word. Let’s look at Jesus for our example.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. (NKJ)

Matthew 4:4,7,10 But Jesus answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” 7 Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’” 10 Then Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only you shall serve.” (NKJ)