Lessons About Sinning

INTRODUCTION.

A.        The apostle John teaches us that sin is a transgression of God’s law. (1 John 3:4) Therefore when a person transgresses God’s law, he becomes a sinner because he was sinning.

B.        There are several lessons about sinning that we can learn from the Bible. These lessons will show why some people continue to engage in sin and the ultimate outcome of such an unrepentant life of sin.

I.         LESSONS TO LEARN ABOUT SINNING.

            A.        Selfishness puts a person on the path of choosing his own wants over the desires of God.

                        1.         Definition of selfishness: 1. too much concerned with one’s own welfare or interests and having little or no concern for others; self-centered. 2. Showing or prompted by self-interest (New World Dictionary)

                        2.         Consider what the Bible has to say regarding our wants compared to God’s wants.

                                    a.         God desires that all men repent and turn to Him. (2 Peter 3:9)

                                    b.         Paul says that the Lord desires all men to be saved. (1 Timothy 2:4)

                                    c.         Man must look to the Lord’s desire because man cannot direct his own steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)

                                    d.         The Lord knows what is best for us. His ways and understanding are higher than our ways. (Isaiah 55:8-9)

                        3.         We should put away selfishness and trust in the Lord with all our heart. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

            B.        Indifference causes a person to lack concern for his sins. He has no interest or feelings regarding sin.

                        1.         Definition of indifference: the quality, state, or fact of being indifferent; specif., a) lack of concern, interest, or feeling; apathy (ibid.)

                        2.         Paul teaches that the path of sin will take a person to being past feeling. (Ephesians 4:17-19)

            C.        Numbness sets in when a person sins so much that he becomes callous and is hardened to any guilty brought on by sin.

                        1.         Definition of numbness: 1. weakened in or deprived of the power of feeling or moving; benumbed; deadened; insensible (ibid.)

                        2.         Paul warned Timothy about those who have seared their conscience. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)

            D.        Indulgence in sin is the common course of life for one who has departed from the Lord.

                        1.         Definition of indulgence: 3. the act of indulging oneself, or giving way to one’s own desires (ibid.)

                        2.         Sin is not acceptable, especially willful sin. (Hebrews 10:26-27)

                        3.         We must not allow ourselves to indulge in sin. Indulging in sin will keep us separated from the Lord. (1 John 1:5-10)

            E.        Negligent behavior keeps one from taking care of the sin in his life and reconciling himself back to God.

                        1.         Definition of negligent: 1. the quality or condition of being negligent; specif., a) habitual failure to do the required thing b) carelessness in manner or appearance; indifference.

                        2.         The solution to sin is to repent and turn back to the Lord. When we neglect the treating of our spiritual sickness, then we will die. There are two examples of where negligence brought Christians close to death.

                                    a.         Christians in Corinth. (1 Corinthians 11:28-31)

                                    b.         Christians in Sardis. (Revelation 3:1-3)

            F.        Grief will be suffered by all those who do not overcome sin. Grief will be brought on by eternity in condemnation.

                        1.         Definition of grief: 1. intense emotional suffering caused by loss, disaster, misfortune, etc.; acute sorrow; deep sadness

                        2.         Jesus gives us a description of the end awaiting the wicked. (Matthew 13:47-50)

                        3.         Christians who turn from the Lord will suffer grief as well. (2 Peter 2:20-22)

CONCLUSION.

A.        Remember:

1.         Selfishness

2.         Indifference towards sin

3.         Numbness towards sin

4.         Indulgence in sin

5.         Negligent towards one’s spiritual well-being

6.         Will lead a person to eternal grief.

B.        If you are not a Christian, then repent of your sins and turn to Jesus today. Listen to His words, obey them, and you will be saved.

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Lessons About Sinning -- December 12, 2004 -- File # 1360

by John M. Duvall -- Lawton, OK