The time was when there was no sin in this world. At that time it was an
Eden. By man transgressing God’s holy law sin entered this world.
“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin;
and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Rom. 5:12.
This is the origin of sin in this world and the awful consequence. God’s
design was that his creation be sinless and pure, but by disobedience sin
has marred the scene of God’s creative purity. The following texts will
acquaint the reader with the characteristics or nature of sin.
1. _Sin is defiling._ “There is a generation that are pure in their own
eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness.” Prov. 30:12. “Though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isa. 1:18. Here we see the
defiling nature of sin. It stains the soul as with scarlet. White is the
emblem of purity. The pure soul is spoken of as being clothed in “fine
linen, clean and white.” Sin stains those robes with crimson, or scarlet
spots. Though you wash with niter, or with much soap, those deep-dyed
marks of iniquity can not be thus cleansed away.
2. _Sin is deceiving._ “But exhort one another daily, while it is called
to-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.”
Heb. 3:13. One sin has opened the gate or way to many more. There is a
kind of opiate power in sin that renders its victim unconscious of its
awful magnitude, thus its deceitfulness.
3. _Sin is reproachful._ “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a
reproach to any people.” Prov. 14:34. We can not enable you to see that
sin is a reproach in any better way than by placing two pictures before
you. One picture is that of a community where all the citizens, old and
young, love and fear God. They live together in peace and love; there are
no quarrelings or contentions, envyings or unkindnesses among neighbors,
neither in home life. There is no stealing, lying, cheating, swearing,
drunkenness, fightings, backbitings, vulgarisms, unholy revelries, etc.
Such manner of life exalts that community, and all good people are
desirous of making their homes there.
The second picture is that of a community where neighbors are quarreling,
hating and lawing with each other. In home life there are angry words and
bitter feelings and estrangements. There are lewd revelries and wanton
pleasures. There are stealings and lyings, cheatings, fightings,
swearings, drinking, chewing and smoking, slang phrases, etc. Such is a
reproach, and thus we learn how righteousness exalts a nation and sin
becomes a reproach to any people.
4. _Sin gives death its horror._ “The sting of death is sin.” 1 Cor.
15:56. Many a thing in this world carries a sting by which it inflicts
pain. Death and the thoughts of death are painful and cause a shudder and
fear because death has a sting. It is sin.
5. _Sin excludes the soul from heaven._ “Then said Jesus again unto them,
I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I
go, ye can not come.” John 8:21. Heaven is a pure and holy place. No sin
will ever enter there. If we die in our sins heaven is lost unto us
forever.
What Is Sin?
Many people have become confused concerning a sinless life because they
did not understand what sin was. A temptation or trial is not a sin, but
it is the yielding to temptation that is a sin. “All unrighteousness is
sin.” 1 John 5:17. All that is wrong is sinful. There are but few people
that will not confess that we should live right in this world. To live
right in every way is the fruit of righteousness. James says, “Therefore
to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” 4:17.
To refuse to do a good thing known unto us when we have opportunity is
wrong and displeasing to God. Solomon says, “The thought of foolishness is
sin.” “In a multitude of words there wanteth not sin.” The apostle John
clearly and positively defines sin in these words: “Whosoever committeth
sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
1 John 3:4.
To transgress or violate any known law of God is sin. This is clear and
comprehensive. For instance, a man knows it is wrong to steal, therefore
if he steals it is a sin. A man knows it is wrong to tell a falsehood,
therefore if he speaks falsely he commits a sin. A man knows it is wrong
to become intoxicated, and yet he does become so; he has violated a known
law of right and wrong, and has therefore committed a sin. Who is the man
of common sense that does not know it is wrong to lie, steal, swindle,
defraud, curse, drink, get angry and cross; to refuse to help a needy
neighbor when he can, to talk foolishly, to tell unseemly tales, to
backbite, slander, commit adultery, hold enmity against another, or to be
proud and vain, etc.?
All these, and many more, the Bible says are wrong, and man knows them to
be wrong; therefore to do them is a sin. Sin brings man into bondage. John
8:34. Man is unable to liberate himself from sin, but God has sent a
Deliverer. Praise his name! “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye
shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. Of this glorious deliverance we shall
speak in the following chapter.