Human Sabotage Sin Subverting God’s Plan

"Both angels and humans were constituted with an option to throw off God's restraints and go their own chosen way; and Satan and one-third of the other angels first did this, being followed in this rebellion by the first human pair.” Kenneth Grider A Wesleyan-Holiness Theology

"The most startling thing about sin is its power to enslave.... We choose and then we are chosen. We grasp and then we are grasped by a power stronger than ourselves." Samuel Logan Brengle Heart Talks on Holiness

The Pathology of Temptation Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, "Did God really say, 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?" The woman said to the serpent, "We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, 'You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.'"

The Pathology of Temptation "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:1-5) "You will not surely die," the serpent said to the woman. "For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil." (Genesis 3:1-5)

The Pathology of Temptation Genesis 3:1-5 Satan’s tactics are the unchanging tactics of evil: indirect and disguised. His mask of disguise is often one of piety. Specifically, the doubt created is doubt of the Word of God. Genesis 3:1-5 Satan’s tactics are the unchanging tactics of evil: indirect and disguised. His mask of disguise is often one of piety. Specifically, the doubt created is doubt of the Word of God.

The Pathology of Temptation “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it. Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves” (Genesis 3:6-7).

The Pathology of Temptation Note the classical sequence in the pathology of the temptation to Eve: The disparaging of God’s word. The disparaging of God’s character. The disparaging of God’s motive. Note the classical sequence in the pathology of the temptation to Eve: The disparaging of God’s word. The disparaging of God’s character. The disparaging of God’s motive.

The Pathology of Temptation “[We] know about sociological factors and the influences of upbringing and of environment, but in the end [we] cannot ignore the individual’s personal responsibility for what they do. Neither can [we] omit from the equation [our] belief that every one of us has become a sinner ‘justly exposed to the wrath of God.’” Shaw Clifton Who Are These Salvationists? “[We] know about sociological factors and the influences of upbringing and of environment, but in the end [we] cannot ignore the individual’s personal responsibility for what they do. Neither can [we] omit from the equation [our] belief that every one of us has become a sinner ‘justly exposed to the wrath of God.’” Shaw Clifton Who Are These Salvationists?

Our Dual Dilemma Our dual dilemma in relation to sin: Sin as act Sin as nature

Our Dual Dilemma “Sin entered the world through one man and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned … the judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation … by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man … the result of one trespass was condemnation for all men … through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:12-19)

Sin Manifested Sin is manifested in a variety of ways: Sin as corruption Sin as rebellion Sin as enslavement Sin is manifested in a variety of ways: Sin as corruption Sin as rebellion Sin as enslavement

A Dual Remedy Evil acts which are forgiven or forgivable by God are labeled “sins” – plural because there are so many of them. Lying deeper, infecting our very being, is something which is like the root from which evil deeds spring. Evil acts which are forgiven or forgivable by God are labeled “sins” – plural because there are so many of them. Lying deeper, infecting our very being, is something which is like the root from which evil deeds spring.

A Dual Remedy Forgiveness does not affect “sin” because forgiveness deals with guilt, and this not a matter of guilt. “Sin” is the principle of moral evil within man. Forgiveness does not affect “sin” because forgiveness deals with guilt, and this not a matter of guilt. “Sin” is the principle of moral evil within man.

A Dual Remedy The only remedy is receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, for with him is: ~ FORGIVENESS of SINS ~ ~ CLEANSING from SIN ~ The only remedy is receiving Christ as Savior and Lord, for with him is: ~ FORGIVENESS of SINS ~ ~ CLEANSING from SIN ~

DISCUSSION 1.Why is a Biblical understanding of sin important in the Church? Focus on young people and children as well as adults in your discussion. 2.How can we better communicate a Biblical understanding of sin: –to individuals; –to our Corps/Center? 3.How has my understanding of sin changed as a result of my reflection on the nature and effect of sin? 4.What attitudes or behaviors will change as a result of my participation in this session?