1. Understanding Sin

2. What is sin?
To miss the mark
Transgression – to act contrary to law, with intent Psalm 51:1,3 1 Timothy 2:14 2 John 9

3. What is sin?
Lawlessness – living in open defiance of the law 1 John 3:4 Matthew 7:21-23
Iniquity – unrighteousness, wrongdoing Luke 13:27 Acts 8:23 Romans 1:18 James 3:6

4. What is sin?
Breaking God’s laws – emphasis on lawlessness Romans 2:23
When we sin, it is directed against God – Psalm 51:4 Luke 15:18 – the prodigal James 2:10-11 – to stumble in one point is to be guilty

5. Ways that we sin
By doing what is forbidden (commission)
1 John 5:17, all unrighteousness is sin 1 John 3:4, lawlessness is sin
There are many direct commands forbidding certain actions, etc.

6. Ways that we sin
By not doing what we are commanded
James 4:17, to him who knows to do good and does not do it… Matthew 23:23, these things you ought to have done
Much of scripture is about what we are to be doing

7. Ways that we sin
When we act with doubting
Romans 14:23, he who doubts is condemned if he eats… whatever is not from faith is sin
With doubts come many problems – including uncertainty whether or not we are pleasing God

8. Ways that we sin Sins of attitude
The Bible addresses both good and bad attitudes. Attitudes often lead to ungodly behavior.
At times, the attitudes are sinful Matthew 15:18-20, James 3:14-15
Other attitudes are necessary – 1 Corinthians 13:1-3, Galatians 5:22-23, James 3:17-19

9. Ways that we sin
Sins of ignorance
Ignorance is no excuse to sin. Sin is always sin!
Paul, acted in ignorance 1 Timothy 1:13, Acts 23:1
Acts 3:17 – Peter notes they acted in ignorance
We must avoid ignorance - 2 Timothy 2:15, Acts 17:30-1

10. Pictures of sin
Sin is a sickness
Not, a sickness that we cannot prevent, but AS a sickness that makes us weak
“Heart disease” – Matthew 13:15
We need healing - 1 Peter 2:24 Hebrews 12:12-13,
James 5:16

11. Pictures of sin Sin is a burden
A difficult and heavy load. Something that weighs us down
Psalm 38:4-6, iniquities like a burden too heavy…
Hebrews 12:1-2 – lay aside the weights and sin
Romans 7:24, “wretched”
Matthew 11:28 – Jesus calls for us to take His “burden”

12. Pictures of sin
Sin is slavery
John 8:34-36, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin
While we seek to become “slaves of God”, He cares about us and offers adoption
The slavery of sin is hopeless – Romans 6:6, 16-18

13. Pictures of sin Sin is filth It makes you dirty and impure.
2 Peter 2:20, iniquities like a burden too heavy…
2 Corinthians 7:1, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit…
1 John 1:7-9 – the blood of Jesus cleanses
Acts 22:16

14. Pictures of sin
Sin is a stain
Like filth, it is a blemish of an otherwise pure garment
Psalm 51:1-2, 7, David request that his transgressions be blotted out and that he be cleansed
Isaiah 1:18
Ephesians 5:25-27, 2 Peter 3:14, Jude 23, Christ purifies us.

15. Pictures of sin
Sin is a debt
It comes with a price, that we cannot pay off on our own.
Romans 6:23, the wages of sin
Matthew 18:21-35, the parable of the unforgiving servant

16. Pictures of sin
Sin is darkness
Often scripture contrasts light and darkness, with goodness vs. sin
2 Corinthians 6:14, they should not have fellowship with each other
1 John 1:6, we cannot walk in darkness
John 3:19-21, 8:12

17. Pictures of sin
Sin brings about death
Sin separates us from God. If not addressed, eternal separation
Romans 6:23, the wages of sin is death
Romans 8:13
Ephesians 2:1
James 1:15, temptation leads to sin which leads to death

18. How are you dealing with your sins?