Ø      What is Sin?

o       Sin is

§         A Violation of God’s Law

·        1 John 3:4 Those who sin are opposed to the law of God, for all sin opposes the law of God. (NLT)

§         An Omission of doing what we know is right

·        James 4:17 anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins.

§         Of the Devil

·        Genesis 3:13 Then the LORD God said to the woman, "What is this you have done?" The woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I ate."

·        1 John 3:8 He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.

§         Rebellion against God

·        Joshua 1:18 Anyone who rebels against your word and does not obey your every command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!" (NLT)

Ø      What are the Effects of Sin?

o       Consequences/ Punishment

§         Isaiah 13:11 I will punish the world for its evil, the wicked for their sins. I will put an end to the arrogance of the haughty       and will humble the pride of the ruthless.

§         Proverbs 11:31 If the righteous receive their due on earth,    how much more the ungodly and the sinner!

§         Romans 6:21 And what was the result? It was not good, since now you are ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom. (NLT)

o       Separation from God

§         Genesis 3:7-8 Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they realized they were naked; so they sewed fig leaves together and made coverings for themselves. 8 Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the LORD God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the LORD God among the trees of the garden.

§         Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.

§         Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God

o       Death

§         Psalm 94:23 God will make the sins of evil people fall back upon them. He will destroy them for their sins. The LORD our God will destroy them.

§         Romans 5:12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned

§         Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Ø      What does God say (and think) about Sin?

o       Deuteronomy 25:16 For the LORD your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly.

o       1 Kings 14:22 Judah did evil in the eyes of the LORD. By the sins they committed they stirred up his jealous anger more than their fathers had done.

o       1 Kings 16:2 I lifted you up from the dust and made you leader of my people Israel, but you walked in the ways of Jeroboam and caused my people Israel to sin and to provoke me to anger by their sins.

o       Proverbs 6:16-19 There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: 17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood,  18 a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, 19 a false witness who pours out lies and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.

Ø      Unforgivable Sin

o       There are many schools of thoughts as to what this verse means.  Personally, I think it refers to the rejection of the Holy Spirit to bring us to Christ.  

§         Matthew 12:31-32 And so I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. 32Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.

§         Luke 12:10 And everyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven.

Ø      To Avoid Sin (Sorry, I can seem to find the other verse I had in mind. When I find it, I will post it!)

o       Psalm 119:10-11 I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. 11I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

o       1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.