Overcoming Sin 1 The Nature of Sin Romans

Overcoming Sin (1): The Nature of Sin Romans 7: 13

Introduction �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

Sin Is Deceitful: Heb. 3: 13 �“but exhort one another daily, while it is called ‘Today, ’ lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. ” �Sin does not tell the truth! �Sin’s deceitfulness evident from the very beginning: Gen. 3: 1 -8 4

Sin Is Deceitful: Heb. 3: 13 �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

Sin Is Deceitful: Heb. 3: 13 �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

Sin Is Deceitful: Heb. 3: 13 �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

Sin Is Enslaving: Jn. 8: 34 �“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

Sin Is Enslaving: Jn. 8: 34 �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: 710 9

Sin Is Defiling: Isa. 1: 18 �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 �Sin is not harmless! It stains our soul and separates us from God: 2 Cor. 6: 17 -7: 1 10

Sin Is Destructive: 1 Jn. 3: 4 �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

Sin Is Destructive: 1 Jn. 3: 4 �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

Sin Is Progressive: 2 Tim. 2: 17 �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

Sin Is Progressive: 2 Tim. 2: 17 �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

Sin Is Progressive: 2 Tim. 2: 17 �Progressive nature of sin seen by: David’s life: 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: 14 ff), Tried to cover it up (2 Sam. 11: 25). 15

Conclusion �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