The Nature of Sin
Sin is a word that is often used in the language of the churched, in the rhythms of their gathering, in the words of their prayers and songs, and in the words that they speak and read. Sin is not, however, something that is easy to deeply consider in ourselves, and it is far too easy to consider it in the lives of those around us. Understanding the Christian’s unique relationship with sin helps us regularly reflect on the nature of sin and the unique relationship this concept has in the life of the believer.
Scripture tells us that we live with a sin nature because of original sin – the failure of our first parents in the Garden of Eden to obey the one restriction that God placed on their enjoyment of His good creation, and by that one act of rebellion, all of humanity was bent and broken in their tendency to sin. As a parent, I do not need to wait very long before a young child displays in their behavior what is relatively easy to consider as rebellion to a good authority. Rebellion, in many ways, is a good way to consider what actual sin is in the life of someone who by virtue of their humanity is bent toward sin.
First, it is a rebellion or a turning away from God. Simply put, I tend to choose my own way instead of God’s way. We often talk about our tendency to be selfish, without really understanding that selfishness is at its core, a preference for ourselves over everyone else, including God.
Secondly, as a theological turn, it is an offense against God rather than simply a bad choice. As the Apostle John writes 1 John 3:4, everyone who practices sin practices lawlessness as well. Indeed, sin is lawlessness. We make a single conscious decision to defy God’s commands. Sin may start in the singular, but it almost always ends in the plural as we tend to start with one single act of defiance, but that act almost never ends up being singular and alone. We often commit cumulative series of actual sin because we mentally minimize both the severity and the frequency of our actions.
Thirdly, sin is any deviation from God’s divinely revealed will—either in measuring up to God’s divine standards or being explicitly opposed to them. The biblical concept of sin often uses imagery like “missing the mark.” In Hebrew, the word for sin (“khata”) means “to fail” or “miss the goal.” In Greek, “hamartia” also means “missing the mark.” God’s standards are like a perfect target, and sin occurs when our actions, thoughts, or motives fall short of hitting that target.
We find it difficult to think as deliberately about sin as we should, not just because it forces us to consider the reality of ourselves, but also because the concept of sin itself is complicated. Sin can be a single behavior, for example a tendency to repeat untruths in our conversations with others. Simultaneously, sin can also be a motive—the unspoken jealousy in our heart as it relates to the success of another person in our life can change the ways in which we interact with that person. Sin also exists as a state, a place for some of us where it describes the very boundaries of our existence, a place where we can live trapped by both our motives and our behaviors, and where we can find ourselves unwilling or unable to change that state.
Adding to that complexity in our consideration of sin is the fact that sin can be two different types of acts, whether acts of commission, or omission. Sins of commission target something that clearly breaks God’s law or acts directly against His revealed will. Sins of omission, on the other hand, are not activities but rather inactivities. They consist of failing to do anything; neglecting to act in love, justice, or mercy when God expects it.
In my battle with sin, one of the most important things to remember has been that sin is active, never passive. The vivid imagery of sin crouching at the door like a lurking lion that we find in Genesis 4:7 helps me to understand that sin (and its underlying temptations facilitated by the devil) is not simply a benign or neutral force in my life. Rather, it actively opposes me finding my place in God’s kingdom and understanding my identity as God’s child. Since sin actively looks to destroy me, I do well to remember that flourishing in God’s good design requires me to be actively aware and engaging in actively destroying sin in my life. As the Puritan John Owen once said, “Be killing sin or it will be killing you.”
The Consequences of Sin
1. Separation from God
Sin creates a spiritual and relational gap between humanity and God. Isaiah 59:2 states, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that he will not hear” (NIV). This separation is the biggest consequence of our sin, as it hinders prayer, spiritual discernment, and intimacy with God. It takes us out of the fellowship with God that man was designed for and instead leaves us hiding from God in our shame.
2. Spiritual and Physical Death
Romans 6:23 declares, “For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Sin introduces both physical death (the decay and eventual death of the body) and spiritual death (eternal separation from God unless repentance and salvation occur). Remembering this helps me to keep my life lived firmly through the lens of eternity.
3. Bondage to Sin
Sin deceives and entraps. Jesus said, “Everyone who sins is a slave to sin” (John 8:34). What starts as a one-time act can quickly become a habit or addiction. The more we yield to sin, the more power it has over us. The more we honestly consider the nature of sin and its consequences, the less likely we are to remain entrapped by it. The less we consider the reality of sin, the more we focus on the instant and short-term gratifications that most sins provide us.
4. Guilt and Shame
Sin often leaves a stain of guilt and emotional pain. Even if no one else knows, the conscience suffers. Shame keeps people from approaching God or seeking help, driving them into isolation (Gen. 3:7-10). Isolation becomes a place of greater vulnerability, making us more likely to believe the lies of the devil who wants us to believe that we are alone, unloved, and without hope.
5. Curses and Judgment
Disobedience brings consequences. The Israelites were warned that sin would lead to barrenness, defeat, disease, and exile (Deut. 28:15). Sin still carries consequences today—loss of peace, brokenness, and ultimately divine judgment in and for eternity.
6. Broken Relationships
Sin impacts others. Lies, envy, pride, and anger destroy families, friendships, and marriages. Where sin reigns, trust dies (Prov. 16:28). We often tend to think that our sin impacts only us, but the very real wreckage of our lives tells us that sin impacts our entire circle of relationships.
7. Hardened Heart
Repeated sin numbs the heart. Over time, conviction fades, and the voice of God becomes harder to hear. A hardened heart becomes resistant to correction and unwilling to repent (Heb. 3:13), and more deceived about its own righteousness. The most dangerous place to be is in a place where you firmly believe that only you are right and others can only be wrong.
8. Loss of Joy and Peace
Sin drains a person of spiritual vitality and can even lead to depression or anxiety when left unaddressed. David wrote after his grievous sin, “Restore to me the joy of your salvation…” (Psa. 51:12).
9. Suffering and Hardship
Sin often results in suffering and hardship, both for the sinner and those around them. The account of David and Bathsheba illustrates this, as David’s sin led to personal anguish and turmoil within his family (2 Sam. 12).
10. Loss of Blessings
Sin can result in the loss of blessings and favor from God. Deuteronomy 28 outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience, illustrating how sin can lead to the forfeiture of God’s promises. From Genesis to Revelation, the entire thread of God’s word reminds us that actions have consequences, and that the consequence of sin removes God’s people from both their temporary and eternal dwelling in fellowship with him.
As we have seen, sin is serious business because it demonstrates the cosmic rebellion of the devil against God himself which plays out in our temporal, earthly lives. Even the littlest white lie is a miniscule act of cosmic treason. A well-rounded understanding of sin helps us to understand both its gravity and its consequences. However, it is important to note that for the Christ follower, neither sin nor its power has the last word in our lives.
Jesus: The Answer for Sin
1. The Finished Work of Christ: What Does It Mean for our Sin?
- Christ’s Death and Resurrection:
The “finished work of Christ” refers to Jesus’ sacrificial death on the cross and His resurrection. On the cross, Jesus declared, “It is finished” (John 19:30), signifying that everything necessary for salvation and victory over sin was accomplished. - Substitution and Atonement:
Jesus bore the punishment for sin that humanity deserved, acting as a substitute in our place. Through His suffering and death, He offered an invitation to healing and reconciliation with God to all who believe (1 Pet. 2:24).
2. How the Gospel Destroys the Power of Sin
- Sin’s Penalty Paid:
The gospel proclaims that Jesus paid the full penalty for sin. The law, which exposed humanity’s sinfulness by demonstrating how no one can live perfectly, was fully satisfied in Christ’s sacrifice, leaving no outstanding debt for those who believe (Col. 2:14). - Freedom from Condemnation:
Because of Christ’s finished work, “there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Rom. 8:1). Believers are justified—declared righteous—by faith, not by their own efforts (Rom. 3:23-24). - Victory Over Sin’s Power:
Christ’s resurrection is a pivotal aspect of His completed work, signifying victory over sin and death. Believers are united with Christ in His death and resurrection, which means they are no longer slaves to sin but can walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5, 1 Cor. 15:54-57).
3. Living Free from Sin
- New Identity and Power:
Those who trust in Christ receive a new identity (“a new creation”—2 Cor. 5:17) and the indwelling Holy Spirit, who empowers them to resist sin and live righteously. Our previous attempts to save ourselves from the power of sin only resulted in becoming more trapped in the snares of sin, while our dependence on the finished work of Christ on our behalf and our openness to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives frees us from sin’s power by replacing it with the active power of the Creator of the Universe Himself inside us. - Ongoing Transformation:
While Christ breaks the penalty and power of sin, the presence of sin remains until His return. Believers are called to grow in grace, relying on God’s Spirit to overcome sin’s influence in daily life (Rom. 6, Gal. 5:16-25). As Anabaptists, we particularly understand that accountability in faith communities can uniquely equip us to withstand sin and temptation together. - Assurance and Hope:
The gospel gives assurance that God’s children are given new life in Christ, forgiven, and destined for eternal life in the presence of God. This hope motivates believers to pursue holiness in ordinary life, living in authentic community with others, and making God’s glory our first priority.
On this side of eternity, sin will always be a part of our stories. With Christ’s power at work in our lives and Christ’s lordship in our hearts and minds, the power of sin can be broken, and we can rest in Christ’s promises. May we never forget that both His first and second coming remind us that Christ himself has come to “heal the brokenhearted and proclaim liberty to the captives”.