Articles
Sin and Its Consequences
Sin is the most destructive thing in life. “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.” (1 John 3:4 KJV) Whoever transgresses God's law earns eternal death (Rom. 6:23). Scripture tells us that sin destroys the sinner. It removes hope and, for those with a conscience, inflicts severe emotional distress. David describes the distress he felt when he refused to confess his sins, saying, "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer" (Psa. 32:3-4). We should be grateful for God's love that disciplines us through the weight of guilt and sorrow (Heb. 12:5-6). We feel this pain because God is unwilling for us to remain in sin and be lost forever. God is ready and willing to relieve our guilt. David said, "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,' and you forgave my sin." (Psa. 32:5). There is no greater relief than forgiveness for sin.
When people are forgiven of sin, they expect to return to life as it was. It rarely happens. Ask anyone who committed adultery. Proverbs says, “the way of transgressors is hard.” (Prov. 13:15 KJV). Jeremiah preached to Jerusalem and Judah that God wanted them to submit to the king of Babylon and live. They did not want to hear it. Jerusalem rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar by seeking an alliance with Egypt. “Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: Because you have forgotten me and cast me behind your back, you yourself must bear the consequences of your lewdness and whoring.” (Ezek. 23:35 ESV). The consequences of sin were that Jerusalem and Judah were destroyed, most of the nation was killed, and a small number were captives for 70 years. Even though some captives repented, they still had to live in captivity as a consequence of their sins. The consequences of sin fall on the sinner and those closest to them. The lesson is that sin has consequences, and forgiveness will not remove them. Indeed, the way of the transgressor is hard.
The consequences of sin are why the apostles taught Christians not to sin. Paul instructed the Galatians to "walk by the Spirit" and "not gratify the desires of the flesh." To walk by the Spirit, one must live as one "crucified to the world" (Gal. 6:14). Paul encouraged us not to let "sin reign in" our bodies. We should present ourselves "to God as those who have been brought from death to life" and use our bodies "as instruments for righteousness." We end sin's reign over us by crucifying fleshly desires and submitting to God (Rom. 6:12-14). The apostles knew it was far better to obey God and avoid the consequences of sin.
Lord, help us to avoid sin!
