INTRODUCTION:
A. One of the major problems with the world today is that it tries to make sin look good, to look glamorous, to make it look like it is the “in” thing to do.
- Advertisement has made alcohol consumption to look as though it always brings us or is associated with the best things in life.
- The television has made fornication to seem acceptable
- Society has taught us that it is okay to steal if you don’t get caught
B. The world calls sin everything under the sun except what it really is – SIN!
The world calls sin:
1. An alternative lifestyle
2. A sickness
3. Sowing wild oats
4. A victim of society
C. It is imperative that we show sin to be what it is – SINFUL, and EXCEEDINGLY so!
- Rom. 7:13” Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.
- Sin is exceedingly sinful
- Sin works death in us – it is like a cancer …
- Sin should thus be greatly abhorred (Rom. 12:9) Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
- As a result, we should want to remove this horrible cancer from our lives – Isa. 1:16 Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil;
In the lesson of this hour we are going to look at what sin will do to us, and in doing so, we hope to develop an attitude of abhorrence and fear of sin.
A. SIN IS DIVISIVE
- Sin will divide, separate, a man from God
Isa. 59:1-2 Behold, the LORD’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. - Sin separates brethren! Rom. 16:17: Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.
- Also, sin is divisive in that it causes division and strife among brethren – 1 Cor. 1:10
B. SIN IS DECEPTIVE
The Scriptures assert the fact that sin and Satan are deceptive
- Satan is deceptive
1) We see this from the beginning in Gen. 3:1ff
2) The devil desires to snare us, as a hidden snare traps an animal (2 Tim. 2:24-26) And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
3) Also, Satan has deceptive messengers – 2 Cor. 11:13-15
- Sin is deceptive
1) Sin is deceitful (Heb. 3:13)
2) In Rom. 7:11, Paul said that sin “beguiled” him
3) In Tit. 3:3, Paul says that in sin we are “deceived”
4) We are constantly warned throughout the Bible – “Be not deceived” (Matt. 24:4-5; Eph. 5:6;
- What are some WAYS in which sin deceives
a. Sin promises liberty, but brings slavery – 2 Pet. 2:18-19 For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage.
b. Sin appears attractive, but is hideously ugly
Isa. 1:5-6 Why should ye be stricken any more? ye will revolt more and more: the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint. From the sole of the foot even unto the head there is no soundness in it; but wounds, and bruises, and putrifying sores: they have not been closed, neither bound up, neither mollified with ointment.2)
c. Sin appears to be right when it is wrong – Prov. 14:1212: There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
d. Sin appears to bring life when it brings death
1) The world says, “Live a little”
2) Jas. 1:13-15 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
e. Sin appears to be so insignificant when it is so major
1) Eve took a little bite (Gen. 3:6)
2) Lot’s wife took a little look (Gen. 19:26)
3) Uzzah took a little touch (2 Sam. 6:1-11)
4) Just a little neglect (Matt. 25:1-13)
5) Ananias and Sapphira told a little lie (Acts 5:1-11)
6) Sin though it may seem small at times will have a terrible result – all sins are significant
C. SIN IS DESTRUCTIVE
- Sin will destroy your good name
a. Prov. 22:1, “A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold”
b. “A good name is better than precious oil…” (Eccl. 7:1)
c. What do you think of when you think of names like: Cain, Ahab, Jezebel, Judas, or Benedict Arnold
- Sin will destroy your body
a. Immorality – 1 Cor. 6:18-21b. Alcohol – Prov. 20:1c. Smoking – Would Jesus smoke? (1 Pet. 2:21-22) - Sin will destroy you emotionally
a. Inner conflicts (Rom. 7:14-25) and guilt (Psa. 32:1-4), resulting from sin, tend to destroy the sinner. - Sin will destroy the local church
a. It was destroying the church in Corinth
b. It ruined Laodicea (Rev. 3:14-22)
c. Pride (3 John 9-10), worldliness (1 Cor. 5), lukewarmness (Rev. 3:14-22), and division (1 Cor. 1:10) all are some sins which will destroy a local church
D. SIN IS DEADLY
- Death is the inseparable consequence of sin
a. Deut. 30:15, “See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil”
b. Prov. 11:19, “As righteousness tendeth to life: so he that pursueth evil pursueth it to his own death”
c. Rom. 6:23 - Sin can result in physical death
a. All mankind suffers the consequences of Adam’s sin in that they die physically (Rom. 5:12), and as a result the world is dotted with cemeteries
b. Physical death is often cause by living a sinful life; e.g. drunk driving, aids, smoking, etc. - Sin results in spiritual death
Ezek. 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him”. - Sin results in eternal death
a. Revelation 21:88: But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.; 20:6, 14
b. Hell is described as the “second death” because therein man is eternally separated from God
CONCLUSION:
A. Sin must be avoided at all costs, because sin is:
- Divisive
- Deceptive
- Destructive
- Deadly
B. Beloved, do not allow sin to destroy you!
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