3.  First in a series of lessons on “Over- coming Sin.”  Requires an understanding of the nature of sin: Rom. 7:13  Must know sin’s characteristics, qualities, dispositions, tendencies, etc.  Must realize sin is not an abstract concept; it’s a real, present and potent force! 3

4.  “but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today,’ lest any of you be hard- ened through the deceitfulness of sin.”  Sin does not tell the truth!  Sin’s deceitfulness evident from the very beginning: Gen. 3:1-8 4

5.  Sin deceived Eve by making her believe there were no consequences.  God said: Gen. 2:16-17  Satan said: 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14  Satan convinced Eve no negative consequences, only positive.  Satan is the ultimate “salesman”! 5

6.  Sin deceived Eve by making promises it had no intention of keeping.  “you will be like God”: Gen. 3:5 What did Eve find when she ate? She was separated and alienated from God!  Sin makes the same promise today!  Alcohol, drugs, fornication, cheating, lying, stealing; their promises are all lies!  Sin promises liberty, but only delivers bondage: 2 Pet. 2:19  Sin promises happiness, brings misery; promises pleasure, brings pain, promises success, brings failure; promises life, brings death: Rom. 6:23 6

7.  Sin deceived Eve by making itself attractive.  To Eve the fruit “was pleasant to the eyes”: Gen. 3:6; it was attractive, it looked great!  Satan knows how to market sin!  Beer, liquor and tobacco commercials.  Sin has a measure of pleasure, but it’s only temporary: Heb. 11:25  Lusts are “deceitful”; and we need to take that warning to heart: Eph. 4:22 7

8.  “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin.”  The world scoffs at sin; believes it’s “no big deal.”  Sin is a “rut”; a way of life for most: Prov. 5:22; Acts 8:23 8

9.  The deceitfulness of sin and its binding power blinds people: 2 Pet. 2:19  Only forgiveness frees from the bondage of sin: Rom. 6:17-18, 22  Bad habits are hard to break: Acts 8:18-19; Heb. 12:1; 1 Tim. 4:2; Jas. 4:7- 10 9

10.  Few are able to see the defiling nature of sin: Isa. 1:18  Sometimes men are aware of defilement, sometimes not:  Aware: Psa. 51:1-3, 7  Unaware: Titus 1:15-16; Heb. 3:13 10  Sin is not harmless! It stains our soul and separates us from God: 2 Cor. 6:17-7:1

11.  Impossible for sin to peacefully co- exist with God’s creation: 1 Jn. 3:4; Rom. 8:20-22  Sin is incompatible with God’s nature.  Sin is unrighteousness: 1 Jn. 5:17 11

12.  The destructiveness of sin:  Destroys man’s innocence: Gen. 3:7  Destroys man’s peace with God: Gen. 3:8  Destroy man’s physical world: Gen. 3:17  Destroys man’s life: Gen. 3:19 12

13.  Sin is a voracious monster, it can never be satisfied!  Once it has its foot in the door, its like a cancer: 2 Tim. 2:17  It is like leaven: Matt. 16:6, 11; Lk. 12:1; 1 Cor. 5:6-8 13

14.  Progressive nature of sin seen by:  Its development from the garden to the flood: Gen. 6:5  Without repentance sin led to a steady downward spiral of the Gentile world: Rom. 1:18-32; cf. 2 Tim. 3:13 14

15.  Progressive nature of sin seen by:  David’s life: 15  Looked at Bathsheba (2 Sam. 11:2),  Inquired about her (2 Sam. 11:3),  Lay with her (2 Sam. 11:4),  Tried to deceive Uriah (2 Sam. 11:6-11),  Tried to get Uriah drunk (2 Sam. 11:12-13),  Had Uriah murdered (2 Sam. 11:14ff),  Tried to cover it up (2 Sam. 11:25).

16.  Sin is an ever-present reality.  Sin is a C-H-O-I-C-E! Rom. 6:16  We have an advantage over Adam and Eve!  Sin is deceptive, enslaving, destructive, and progressive.  Do you appreciate the “exceedingly sinful[ness]” of sin? Rom. 7:13 16