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Week 1: The Sinfulness of Sin
Read: When the Puritans used the phrase “The sinfulness of sin” they understood it to mean that, sin is not just a violation of God's laws, but that it’s also a corruption of our human nature. They believed that sin is an offense that separates humanity from God. It’s the source of all the evil and suffering in the world. The concept of the "sinfulness of sin" refers then to the inherent wickedness and moral evil of sin, and the devastating consequences it brings. Sin is not just an action, it’s a state of the heart and mind. What we need is a deep inner transformation — a work of God’s grace to overcome the power of sin in our life. There is great hope for us in this (and we will to that) but first, let us take a moment to examine the following:
Read, Discuss and Pray Through The Following Topics:
I. Consider the Great Evil of Sin
Pray that God help us to see sin in its true colors, to see how exceedingly sinful and wicked it really is (Rom 7:13, 1 John 3:4).
II. Recognize the foolishness of sin
The folly of our sins is not hidden from God. We have openly (even proudly) displayed our disobedience and sin. How foolish and hurtful our sin is. It leads us into unhealthy patterns of living and creates confusion as a result (Psalm 69:5, Titus 3:3, 1 Tim 6:9).
III. Admit the unprofitableness of sin
Sin not only provides us with no value, it destroys us and everything around us. Pray for increased clarity to see its folly and not be deceived by it (Matt 16:26, Job 33:27, Rom 6:21).
IV. Beware of the deceitfulness of sin
Sin is made to be attractive to our flesh. It is deceptive by nature. Our hearts get lured away by it. Pray for strength not to be enticed, hardened or drug down by it (Heb 3:13, Rom 7:11).
V. Recognize the offense our sin is to God
By breaking God’s law, we dishonor him. We greatly displease him. We grieve the Holy Spirit. grieving the Holy Spirit refers to the act of resisting or quenching the work of the Holy Spirit in one's life. Since the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, and guides us in righteousness, when we reject this guidance and continue in sin, we grieve the Holy Spirit and hinder his work in our lives (Psalm 95:9,10, Isaiah 63:10, Eph 4:30).
VI. Be aware of the damage sin has done to your own soul
In sinning against God, we harm ourselves. Our sins have separated us from God, so that he will not hear us. Sin defiles our minds and hardens our conscience (Is. 50:1, Prov 8:36, Titus 1:15) Our backsliding (living in patterns of unrepentant sin) hurts us immediately. To live in sin is to live without the protective wisdom that comes from listening to and obeying God’s word (Jer. 2:19, Rom 1:24,26,28, Proverbs 14:9).
Quote:
The strength and power of sin lie in the deceitfulness of its own nature; it promises much, but performs nothing; it promises honor, and brings shame; pleasure, and ends in pain; life, and ends in death." - John Owen
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