What Does Scripture Say About Sin?

Today we are going over the basics in regards to what the bible teaches regarding sin. Although I'm sure most Christians know these vital truths, still it doesn't hurt to go over them every once in a while.

Abstaining From

One of the first instances in scripture where we see that we shouldn't let sin have dominion over us is Gen 4:7, this is where God tells Cain to rule over him (sin).
Exo 20:20 is an early scripture reference for the motivation for avoiding sin, the fear of God. We learn in Dt 23:21 that the Israelites were instructed not to sin by being slack to pay their vows. It is also taught in scripture that those who confess and forsake their sin shall have mercy (Pro 28:13).

Joh 5:14 & Joh 8:11 are two verses where Jesus instructs others to stop sinning, this indicates that we have a choice to not sin. Simon the sorcerer was told to repent of his wickedness in Act 8:22, and we are told that those that name the name of Christ should depart from iniquity in 1Tim 2:19.

Fornication is one of the sins we are told to flee from in 1Co 6:18, don't just avoid it, run from it like it's chasing you with a machete! Sin can be defined as transgressing the law 1Joh 3:4. Finally 1Jn 3:9 can be used as a strong admonition against Christians who are constantly sinning, as it shows us that those who are born of God doth not commit sin. 

See also: Psa 19:13, 1Pe 4:1

Consequences Of

So what happens when we ignore God's warnings and sin anyway. Well God is a God of Judgment (Isa 61:8), and man reaps what he sows (Gal 6:7-8). Here is just a small selection of bible passages that show the horrible consequences of sin.

Sin/Transgression can be the cause of or lead to many terrible things including
a lack of or no rest (Psa 38:3, Isa 57:20, Rev 14:11), affliction (Psa 107:17), brings one under bondage which Jesus came to free us from (Pro 5:22, Mat 1:21, Luk 4:18, Joh 8:36, Act 3:26, Eph 4:8, 2Pet 2:19-20), can withhold good things from you (Jer 5:25), can cause desolation (Mic 6:13), and can be a source of grief to others (2Co 12:21).

Finally we see from scripture that the ultimate price for sinning is death, not only physical death but also the second death which is eternal torment in the lake of fire; that is if you don't get saved (Eze 18:4, Rom 6:16, Rom 6:23, Rev 21:8).

see also: Job 24:19, Pro 8:36, Pro13:21-22

Jesus Was Sinless

One extremely important doctrine in Christianity is the doctrine of Christ's sinlessness. It is recorded that he knew no sin  (2Co 5:21), did no sin (1Pe 2:22), and  in him is no sin (1Joh 3:5). This is important because the lamb that was sacrificed to God had to be spotless (Num 28:3), Christ is the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world (Joh 1:29). This is in fact one of the things that points to his divinity, because scripture declares that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (1Ki 8:46, Rom 3:23).

Forgiveness or Offerings For Sin

Back in the OT there was the day of  atonement where Aaron would make atonement for the children of Israel with the blood of  the sin offering once in the year (Exo 30:10).We learn from the first chapter of Job that he offered burnt offerings for his children just in case they have sinned (Job 1:5).

Because God is just sin must not go unpunished, without the shedding of blood their can be no remission of sin (Heb 9:22). However because God loved us and is merciful he sent his son to die in our place (Gal 1:4, Col 1:14).

The bible teaches that if we confess our sins God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1Jn 1:9 , Psa 32:5).

See also: Psa 51:2-3

Mentioned or Other

So what else can we find out about sin from the bible, well let's see. We see that the sin that was committed by the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah was considered very grievous (Gen 18:20). That although God has given us the free will to choose to obey him or not, he also is able to prevent people from sinning against him; as was the case with Abimelech (Gen 20:6). That there is a place known as the wilderness of Sin, that is located between Elim and Sinai  

(Exo 16:1).
  

We also know that not all sin is done willfully, as there is such a thing as sinning through ignorance (Lev 4:2). That  Moses fasted an incredible forty days and forty nights because of Israel's sin (Deu 9:18). The book of Proverbs teaches us that fools make a mock of sin and that sin is a reproach to any people (Pro 14:9, Pro 14:34). 2Th 2:3 shows us that two of the things the Antichrist is called is man of sin and son of perdition. We are told to rebuke those that sin before all, so that others may also fear in (1Ti 5:20). 

See also: Job 20:11, Lam 3:39

In conclusion we see that the bible teaches us to stay away from sin because it offends an holy God. The effects of sin is misery and death and God offers us forgiveness from our sins if we repent and place our faith in the sacrifice Jesus paid on the cross. If you have not trusted in the saviour yet please do so now, tomorrow may be too late. Isa 1:18  "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

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