THE CAUSES OF ACTUAL SIN

 

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 7:17). The words, “Put off everything having to do with your former way of life, the old nature which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,” identify sinful lusts with the corruption in our nature (Ephesians 4:22). The words, “You are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father you will do,” tell us that those lusts reflect the will of Satan (John 8:44). And, the words, “I was formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and violent: but I was shown mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief,” describe the spiritual ignorance that results from the sin within us (1Timothy 1:13).

          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 4:12). The apostle Paul sinned in ignorance [see 1Tim. 1:13], yet the words, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am the worst,” tell us that he was saved through faith in Christ (1Timothy 1:15). So ignorance is no excuse. The words, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or a leopard his spots? If so you might be able to do what is good, you who in whom evil is ingrained,” are not being critical of the skin of an Ethiopian or the spots of a leopard, but are telling us that it is just as impossible for us to be sinless as it is for us to change our skin (Jeremiah 13:23).

         

          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 Israel, and provoked David to number Israel,” and the words, “The Lord said, Simon, Simon, Satan has desired to have you, that he may sift you as wheat,” tell us that Satan works to seduce believers (1Chronicals 21:1, Luke 22:31). And, the words, “He turned, and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan: you are tempting me to sin: for you are not thinking as God thinks, but as men think,” tell us that Satan sometimes uses other people to tempt us (Matthew 16:23).

          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 2:17). And, the words, “Do not be deceived, bad company undermines good behavior,” warn us against keeping company with those who tempt us (1Corinthians 15:33).

 

          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 10:20). The words, “There were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will privately introduce damnable heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, bringing swift destruction upon themselves. And many will follow their destructive ways; and because of them the way of truth will be portrayed as evil. And in their covetousness they will use deceptive words to swindle you: their condemnation has not been idle all this time, and their damnation is not asleep,” warn us of the danger posed by those who teach contrary to the Word of God (2Peter 2:1-3). And, the words, “They changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creation more than the Creator… For that reason God gave them up to vile affections: for even their women exchanged the natural use for that which is contrary to nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men doing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error that was fitting,” tell us that God draws all who worship Him to repentance, but gives those who reject Him up to serve their own degenerate lusts (Romans 1:25-27).

 

          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 God’s 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 8:28). As it is written, “We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22).