STUDY 11

STUDY No. 11 - SIN

Genesis 3 is the key passage dealing with the entry of sin into this world.
This study considers the subject in greater detail.

If we grasp a fuller understanding of the cause of man's problem, we shall appreciate all the more God's remedy in our future studies.

Check those first six verses of Genesis 3 in your Bible again. You will notice five steps to man's fall:

1. Listening to slander against God.
2. Doubting God's word and love.
3. Looking at what God had forbidden. (Don't!)
4. Lusting for what God had prohibited. (But I... !)
5. Disobeying what God had commanded. (I will... !)

Think of a particular sin. The temptation to commit it and the fall usually follow the steps above. At which point do we become most vulnerable?

There is a very interesting connection between these principles of falling into sin and the three temptations of the Lord in the wilderness.
See Matthew 4:1-11 and 1 John 2:14-17

"The world" around - possessions, power, comforts, security.
"The flesh" within - our natural urge to please self and forget God's pleasure.
"The devil" below - demonic attacks to perform his will, not God's. security.

1. PLAIN FACTS CONCERNING SIN

Romans 5:12, 19
A reminder of the way by which sin entered the world - BY ONE MAN. How did one man's offense result in all being sinners? With what result?

Psalm 51:5
What is the main teaching of this verse?
Is David saying he was born illegitimately? Or a sinner by inheritance?

Romans 1:26-32
Notice here the sins mentioned are things that we DO. Many of these are very much in the news almost daily! Homosexuality (verse 27) is, according to this list, as much a sin as adultery. To act proudly, according to this list, is sin as much as murder! Not as great in man's eyes - but God's!

James 2:8, 9
Notice that the sin can be in our having the wrong attitude toward another person. (Even the thought of foolishness is sin!- according to Proverbs 24:9.) Our Lord Jesus Christ made it quite clear that the thought can constitute the sin. See Matthew 5:27, 28.

Galatians 3:22
The scripture concludes that ALL are under SIN. All may rightly be called sinners (Romans 3:23).

2. THE ENTICEMENTS TO SIN (And how to escape!)

2 Timothy 4:10
Why did Demas forsake Paul? In what way did he "love the present world"?
One commentator said: "He chose to live in luxury!"
Don't love this world.

Galatians 5:16-21
What constantly opposes the Spirit of Christ within us? (Romans 13:14)
Don't feed the flesh.

Ephesians 6:11
Who is our enemy? What does he do? (James 4:7)
Don't reason, but resist him.

3. THE AWFUL EFFECTS OF SIN - HERE & NOW!

1 Cor. 2:14	What is this "natural man"?	Spiritually ignorant!
Eph. 2:2	How does he walk?	Led by another!
Eph. 2:1	What does 'quickened' mean?	WAS spiritually dead!
John 3:18	Who is condemned?	Those who will not believe!

These combined truths about a sinner should make us concerned for him or her.

4. THE AWFUL EFFECTS OF SIN - FUTURE!

What can unrepentant sinners expect?

John 5:28, 29	JUDGEMENT
Romans 6:23	DEATH
2 Thess.1:9	EVERLASTING DESTRUCTION

These combined truths about a sinner should make us more than concerned for him or her,
i.e. WE SHOULD DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT!

PREVIOUS STUDY NEXT STUDY

A reminder to all who use these outlines: always look up and read carefully every scripture quoted. Sometimes you may be impressed by a comment - most likely it will be a quotation from someone else - but always remember the WORD OF GOD is your primary authority and the Holy Spirit Who applies it is your teacher. Every verse, therefore, is pregnant with spiritual meaning and truth for you in your present situation. Always give your primary consideration to what the word of the Lord is teaching you.