The Deceitfulness of Sin

I believe most Christians think of sin in terms of obviously wrong, or "bad" behavior, such as...

• stealing.

• committing adultery.

• getting into an angry shouting match with a friend or spouse.

• being happy when an "enemy" falls or gets in trouble... and so on.

But sin is not always so obvious and clear-cut. It can be much more subtle. I am learning this the hard way.

😒Example #1: I'm driving down the road and someone cuts in front of me. It's a dangerous move.

Suddenly, I'm angry at this stranger, who simply made a mistake. I may even have some nasty things to say, in my frustration, about their intelligence.

Would Jesus, in this situation, behave that way?

Even though I feel justified in my anger and name-calling, I quickly realize that Jesus would not behave this way. It is sin, plain and simple.

😒Example #2: I learn about someone with a legitimate need that I could help with if I were willing. I review in my mind the various reasons for not helping, or just brush it aside, and wind up watching the football game I wanted to watch, instead.

To him that knows to do good, and does not do it, to him it is sin [James 4:17]😒.

In simple terms, whatever we do or don't do that is Adam-like, rather than Christ-like, is sin. I gave two scenarios above; there are countless others.

Scripture has some serious things to say about sin, and how vitally important it is for us to deal with it, by God's grace. Let's look at two brief passages:

Hebrews 3: 12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God. 13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

Hebrews 12: 3 Consider him [Jesus] that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest you be wearied and faint in your minds. 4 You have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.

Isn't the matter of sin a "done deal"?

We Christians typically believe that all of our sins... past, present and future... have been dealt with by Jesus on the cross. We even say things like, "I'm a wretched sinner saved by grace, and I will sin every day, in thought, word and deed! Praise God for His grace!"

Is that clear, biblical thinking? What does scripture have to say?

Aside from the Hebrews 12 passage above, which calls us to strive against sin, even to the shedding of blood, we see:

Romans 3: 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God has set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God...

and

1 John 2: My little children, these things I write unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

So, the idea that Christians will sin daily does not line up with God's word. Scripture actually goes so far as to say that being Christ-like is what will give believers boldness, or confidence, to face Judgment Day.

Was Jesus a sinner, sinning daily?

1 John 4: 16 We have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love; and he that dwells in love dwells in God, and God in him. 17 In this our love is made perfect, that we may have boldness in the day of judgment: because as he is, so are we in this world. 18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear: because fear has torment. He that fears is not made perfect in love.

Many Christians quote verse 18 above by itself, but we must look at it in its proper context of dwelling in love and being Christ-like, here and now.

There is much more that can be said about...

• the deceitfulness of sin and how subtle it can be.

• the fact that sin in the lives of Christians is a serious matter.

• the need for us to actually take it seriously.

• the danger of being careless about this.

but the truth about sin in the life of the Christian should be clear by now.

The saying, "I'm a wretched sinner saved by grace, and I will sin every day, in thought, word and deed," is a belief from the pit of hell, and must be rejected and abandoned, despite the fact that millions of Christians, including pastors, believe and declare it.

Such a belief and stance regarding sin makes a mockery of God's provision and promises for His people, to not only forgive past sins, but to deliver us from the very power and control of sin.

Romans 6: 14 Sin shall not have dominion over you: for you are not under the law, but under grace.

15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Don't you know, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

17 But God be thanked, that you were the servants of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered to you. 18 Being made free from sin, then, you became the servants of righteousness.