OK JEFF OUTSTANDING BLOG BUT I MUST ADD, because I guess what I wrote wasn't clear this should do it. Let's get deep now I love it.
SIN DEFINITION OF SIN
WHAT IS SIN?
BIBLE READING: Genesis 3:14-19
KEY BIBLE VERSE: To Adam he said, “Because you listened to your wife and ate the fruit I told you not to eat, I have placed a curse on the ground. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it.” (Genesis 3:17)
SIN IS DISOBEYING GOD.
Adam and Eve learned by painful experience that because God is holy and hates sin, he must punish sinners. The rest of the book of Genesis recounts painful stories of lives ruined as a result of the fall. Disobedience is sin, and it breaks our fellowship with God. But, fortunately, when we disobey, God is willing to forgive us and to restore our relationship with him.
BIBLE READING: Leviticus 4:1-12
KEY BIBLE VERSE: The LORD said to Moses, “Give the Israelites the following instructions for dealing with those who sin unintentionally by doing anything forbidden by the LORD’s commands.” (Leviticus 4:1-2)
SIN INCLUDES UNINTENDED WRONGDOING.
Have you ever done something wrong without realizing it until later? Although your sin was unintentional, it was still sin. One of the purposes of God’s commands was to make the Israelites aware of their unintentional sins so they would not repeat them and so they could be forgiven for them. Leviticus 4 and 5 mention some of these unintentional sins and the way the Israelites could be forgiven for them. As you read more of God’s laws, keep in mind that they were meant to teach and guide the people. Let them help you become more aware of sin in your life.
BIBLE READING: Matthew 8:1-4
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Jesus touched him. “I want to,” he said. “Be healed!” And instantly the leprosy disappeared. (Matthew 8:3)
SIN IS A DISEASE BEYOND HUMAN CURE.
Leprosy, like AIDS today, was a terrifying disease because there was no known cure. In Jesus’ day, the Greek word for leprosy was used for a variety of similar diseases, and some forms were contagious. If a person contracted the contagious type, a priest declared him a leper and banished him from his home and city. The leper was sent to live in a community with other lepers until he either got better or died. Yet when the leper begged Jesus to heal him, Jesus reached out and touched him, even though his skin was covered with the dread disease.
Sin is also an incurable disease-and we all have it. Only Christ’s healing touch can miraculously take away our sins and restore us to real living. But first, just like the leper, we must realize our inability to cure ourself and ask for Christ’s saving help.
BIBLE READING: Mark 7:1-23
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Then he added, “It is the thought-life that defiles you. For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, eagerness for lustful pleasure, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you and make you unacceptable to God.” (Mark 7:20-23)
SIN HAS AN INWARD AS WELL AS AN OUTWARD ASPECT.
Do we worry more about what is in our diet than what is in our heart and mind? As they interpreted the dietary laws (Leviticus 11), the Jews believed they could be clean before God because of what they refused to eat. But Jesus pointed out that sin actually begins in the attitudes and intentions of the inner person. Jesus did not degrade the law, but he paved the way for the change made clear in Acts 10:9-29 when God removed the cultural restrictions regarding food. We are not pure because of outward acts-we become pure on the inside as Christ renews our mind and transforms us into his image.
BIBLE READING: Romans 3:9-20
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Are we Jews better than others? No, not at all, for we have already shown that all people, whether Jews or Gentiles, are under the power of sin. (Romans 3:9-10)
SIN IS THE UNIVERSAL SEPARATION OF PEOPLE FROM GOD.
Paul uses these Old Testament references to show that humanity in general, in its present sinful condition, is unacceptable before God. Have you ever thought to yourself, Well, I’m not too bad. I’m a pretty good person? Look at these verses and see if any of them apply to you. Have you ever lied? Have you ever hurt someone’s feelings by your words or tone of voice? Are you bitter toward anyone? Do you become angry with those who strongly disagree with you? In thought, word, and deed, you, like everyone else in the world, stand guilty before God. We must remember who we are in his sight-alienated sinners. Don’t deny that you are a sinner. Instead, allow your desperate need to point you toward Christ.
SIN IS IN OUR NATURE AND MUST BE FACED BY EVERY PERSON.
The last time someone accused you of wrongdoing, what was your reaction? Denial, argument, and defensiveness? The Bible tells us the world stands silent and accountable before almighty God. No excuses or arguments are left. Have you reached the point with God where you are ready to hang up your defenses and await his decision? If you haven’t, stop now and admit your sin to him.
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF SIN
HOW CAN WE RECOGNIZE SINFUL BEHAVIOR?
BIBLE READING: Genesis 3:1-24
KEY BIBLE VERSE: At that moment, their eyes were opened, and they suddenly felt shame at their nakedness. So they strung fig leaves together around their hips to cover themselves. (Genesis 3:7)
SINFUL BEHAVIOR OFTEN BEGINS AS A DELIGHTFUL AND FUN ACTION.
Satan tried to make Eve think that sin is good, pleasant, and desirable. A knowledge of both good and evil seemed harmless to her. People usually choose wrong things because they have become convinced that those things are good, at least for themselves. Our sins do not always appear ugly to us, and the pleasant sins are the hardest to avoid. So prepare yourself for the attractive temptations that may come your way. We cannot always prevent temptation, but there is always a way of escape (1 Corinthians 10:13). God’s Word and God’s people can help you stand against it.
TEMPTATION TO SINFUL BEHAVIOR IS RARELY OBVIOUS AT FIRST.
Notice what Eve did: She looked, she took, she ate, and she gave. The battle is often lost at the first look. Temptation often begins by simply seeing something you want. Are you struggling with temptation because you have not learned that looking is the first step toward sin? You would win over temptation more often if you followed Paul’s advice to run from those things that produce evil thoughts (2 Timothy 2:22).
SIN’S EFFECTS SPREAD.
After Eve sinned, she involved Adam in her wrongdoing. When we do something wrong, we often try to relieve our guilt by involving someone else. Like toxic waste spilled in a river, sin swiftly spreads. Recognize and confess your sin to God before you are tempted to pollute those around you.
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