By Gary Ray Branscome
Every specific sin flows from a heart that is corrupt
according to deceitful lusts, lusts that reflect the nature of Satan. And,
those lusts are inflamed, encouraged and promoted by Satan, the world, and our
own flesh.
The words, It is no longer something that I do, but sin
that dwells in me, tell us that the cause of actual sin is our corrupt
nature (Romans
The words, And while Peter was below in the courtyard,
one of the maids of the high priest came
and said, You were also with Jesus of
Nazareth. But he denied it, give us an example of fear leading to
sin (Mark 14:66-68), as do the words, For before certain men came from
James, he would eat with the Gentiles: but once they came, he withdrew and
separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. (Galatians
2:12). And, the words, Upon hearing this, everyone in the synagogue became
furious, and got up, and pushed Him out of the city, and brought him to the
brow of the hill on which their city was built, in order to throw Him down the
cliff, give us an example of anger leading to sin (Luke 4:28-29).
However, the words, Nor
is there salvation in any other, make it clear that neither our ignorance,
nor our passions are an excuse for sin (Acts
The words, You formerly walked according to the way of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit
that now works in the children of disobedience, tell us that Satan is at
work in those who are not saved (Ephesians 2:2). The words, Then Satan
stood up against
The words, Make note of those who cause divisions and soul destroying offences contrary to the
doctrine that you have learned; and avoid them, for such people are not serving
our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, tell us that Satan tempts us
through those who spread false doctrine and cause division (Romans 16:17-18).
The words, Their teaching will spread like gangrene, warn us against
those who teach falsely (2Timothy
The words, The things that the Gentiles sacrifice are
sacrificed to devils, and not to God: and I do not want you to have fellowship
with devils, tell us that Satan is behind all false religion, and those
who worship false gods are worshipping devils (1Corinthians
The words, I form light, and create darkness: I make
peace, and create disaster: I the LORD do all these things, tell us that
all of the disasters this world experiences are a judgment on sin (Isaiah 45:7).
However, God is at work in all He does. Therefore, even those disasters can
bring His mercy. For example, if a tank is coming toward a home, and a woman inside
it is praying God save me, God save me, she is calling on God to deliver her
from evil. Furthermore, the words, The Lord disciplines those He loves, and
scourges every son that He receives, tell us that Gods chastening
of believers is that of a loving father (Hebrews 12:6). And, the words, We
know that all things work together for good for those who love God, for those
who are the called according to his purpose, assure us that all we suffer
works together for our good (Romans