THE NATURE OF ACTUAL SIN

 

By Gary Ray Branscome

 

Since we have a “Nature that is corrupt according to deceitful lusts” actual sin consists of every transgression of the divine Law in desire, thought, word, and deed, that a heart “Deceitful above all things and desperately wicked,” produces in us (Ephesians 4:22, Jeremiah 17:9)

          The words, “Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murder, adultery, immorality, theft, false witness, blasphemy,” tell us that sinful thoughts, words and deeds are evil in the sight of God (Matthew 15:19). And, the words, “I am telling you, that whoever looks on a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in his heart,” condemn evil thoughts in no uncertain terms (Matthew 5:28).

          The words, “Who knowing the judgment of God, that those who commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in those who do them,” condemn those who, even without engaging in certain sins, encourage and take pleasure in those who do commit them, [and that includes those who excuse homosexuality] (Romans 1:32). And, the words, “Whoever knows what is right, and does not do it, sins,” condemn all who fail to do what is right (James 4:17).

          The words, “Abraham journeyed from there toward the south country, and settled between Kadesh and Shur, and lived for a time in Gerar. And Abraham said of Sarah his wife, She is my sister: and Abimelech king of Gerar sent, and took Sarah, but God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, you are a dead man, because of the woman that you have taken; for she is a man’s wiferestore the man’s wife; for he is a prophet, and he will pray for you, and you will live: but if you do not restore her, know that you will surely die, you, and all who are yours,” tell us that God condemns sins that we are not even aware of (Genesis 20:1-3 and 7). However, the words, “And that servant, who knew his lord’s will, and did not get ready, and did not do what his master wanted, will be beaten with many lashes. But the one who does not know, and committed deeds worthy of flogging, will be beaten with few lashes. For to whom much is given, much will be required: and from one who has been entrusted with much, more will be asked,” tell us that God punishes willful sin far more harshly than sins of ignorance (Luke 12:47-48). And, the words, “Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no self-deception,” tell us that God does not impute sin to those who do not rationalize sin, deceiving themselves by making excuses for sin, but humbly look to Christ for mercy (Psalm 32:2, Romans 4:6).

 

          The words, “The works of the flesh are obvious, which are; Adultery, fornication, sexual filthiness, sensuality,” refer to actual sins as “works of the flesh” (Galatians 5:19). The words, “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them,” refer to actual sins as “works of darkness” (Ephesians 5:11). The words, “Do not lie to each other, seeing that you have put off the old man with his deeds,” refer to actual sins as the deeds of “the old man” (Colossians 3:9). The words, “For that just man while living among them day after day, felt his righteous soul tormented by the lawless deeds he saw and heard,” refer to actual sins as “lawless deeds” (2Peter 2:8). And, the words, “How much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?” refer to actual sins as “dead works” (Hebrews 9:14)