Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2:1-7
False Teachings about Sin
Intro.
1. If we knew what a monster sin is, maybe there would be less of it. We don’t fully realize the present and future consequences of sin.
2. Sin is a pestilence upon mankind – “a distiller of hate, a breeder of crime.” All human misery is ultimately traced back to sin.
3. Satan deceives us into minimizing sin, Gen. 3:4.
a. It is disguised, camouflaged, sweetened and made respectable.
b. Underneath all its guises, sin is a terrible crime against God, dishonoring Him and His purposes, Psa. 51:4; Eccl. 12:13.
4. False teachings about sin are corrected by the Bible.
I. SIN IS NOT A BIOLOGICAL PHENOMENON.
A. Sin is not in Our Genes.
1. Calvinism: Because we are sons of Adam and because Adam sinned--we are born sinners: Total hereditary depravity.
“2. By this sin they fell from their original righteousness, and communion with God, and so became dead in sin, and wholly defiled in all the faculties and parts of soul and body.
“3. They being the root of all mankind, the guilt of this sin was imputed, and the same death in sin and corrupted nature conveyed to all their posterity, descending from them by ordinary generation.” (Westminster Confession of Faith, VI:II-III; 1646)
a. Bible: Adam and Eve introduced sin into world, Rom. 5:12.
b. Bible: Sin belongs to the individual who commits it, Rom. 5:12; Jas. 1:13-14.
2. Personal responsibility for sin, Ezek. 18:20; Deut. 24:16.
II. SIN IS NOT IN HUMAN NATURE.
A. People (made in the image of God) are not Innately Sinful.
1. Yes, we all sin, Rom. 3:23. But, we are not “forced” to sin because we have a “sin nature” working in us.
2. Calvinism: Total Hereditary Depravity: Sin is viewed as part of human nature.
3. Bible: God made man pure; Man has chosen sin, Eccl. 7:29.
4. Bible: Man’s “nature” becomes sinful when he chooses to commit and practice sin, Eph. 2:1-3.
B. Blaming Human Nature for Sin is not Scriptural.
1. “I can’t help it...I’m only human” / “I was born this way” – Devil’s tactic to soften sin. For example:
a. Eating is natural, but gluttony is not, 1 Cor. 6:13; Gal. 5:23.
b. Sex is natural, but fornication is not, 1 Cor. 6:13, 18.
c. Homosexuals are not “born that way” – choice is made (Rom. 1:26-27).
2. This false reasoning cannot eliminate responsibility for sin!
III. SIN IS NOT TRANSFERABLE.
A. People have always tried to Blame Others for their Sin.
1. Man blamed woman; woman blamed serpent, Gen. 3:12-13.
2. Aaron blamed the people for golden calf, Exo. 32:21-24.
B. Sin is Personal (individual), Psa. 51:3 (Ezek. 18:20; Jas. 1:14).
1. Acknowledging one’s sin is essential to forgiveness, Psa. 32:5.
2. While someone’s sin may (often) affect you, if by their sin you are influenced to sin, that sin is still yours!
IV. SIN IS SEPARATIVE.
A. Sin Separates Man from God, Isa. 59:1-2 (Garden of Eden).
B. Sin Separates People, cf. Prov. 16:28 (Friends, family, etc.).
C. Sin Causes Eternal Separation from God, Rom. 6:23.
1. Separation from heaven and eternal life, Matt. 7:23.
2. Spiritual death: Hell for those who choose to sin in their lives.
3. Should move us to identify and overcome sin – worst enemy!
V. THERE IS A REMEDY TO SIN.
A. The Blood of Jesus: Forgiveness, Heb. 9:13-14 (Eph. 1:7).
1. You can choose to combat and resist sin (Jas. 4:7).
2. Never give up; Victory over sin through faith, 1 Jno. 5:4.
a. By obeying His gospel (good news that sins can be forgiven), you can contact that blood, Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 6:3.
b. Become a Christian and every past sin will be washed away!
3. Fight against Satan using God’s armor, Eph. 6:13-17.
Conclusion
1.
Don’t let sin reign in your life, Rom. 6:12-13.
2. Adam and Eve introduced sin into world, Rom.
5:12.
3. Jesus gives salvation from your sins (Rom. 6:3; Acts 22:16).