What Is Wrong with Sin?

Bill Brinkworth

The Bible reminds us of something most of us already know about ourselves: “For all have sinned, …” (Romans 3:23). Not only do we all commit it, we were born sinners. So, if all are guilty, what is wrong with sin? Here is some of what the Bible says is wrong with sin:

Sin is against God.

When Joseph was tempted to commit adultery with Potiphar’s wife, he knew if he sinned, it would be against God: “There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” Gen. 39:9
The prophet Samuel knew that if he failed to pray for Israel it would be a sin against God: “Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you… ” I Sam. 12:23
Although this instance was prophetic at the time, the people of Israel knew that sin was wrong: “And it shall come to pass … what is our sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?” Jer. 16:10 Also: Jer. 51:5
King David knew sin was against God: “ Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: …” Psalms 51:4.

God hates sin.

God was unhappy he had made man, because of their sin. That is why God sent the worldwide flood on the earth: “ And it repented the LORD that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart.” Gen. 6:6
It is very clear that God hates sin: “The LORD trieth the righteous: but the wicked and him that loveth violence his soul hateth.” Psalms 11:5
“These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Proverbs 6:16-19

Sin violates His commands.

“ If a soul sin, and commit a trespass against the LORD, and lie unto his neighbour in that which was delivered him to keep, or in fellowship, or in a thing taken away by violence, or hath deceived his neighbour;” Leviticus 6:2

Sin separates us from God.

Israel’s commission of sin separated them from receiving the blessings and protection of the Lord. “Therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.” Jos. 7:12
The enemies of God’s people can cry out for God’s help, but He will not hear them because of their sin: “They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the LORD, but he answered them not.” Psalms 18:41
Israel, a nation God loved, was separated from Him because of their sin: “And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood.” Isaiah 1:15

God’s people are uncomfortable around sin. The result can be separation, not only from God, but also from God’s people; especially those that want to be far from sin. Sin can leave one with a lonely life.

“ I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.” Psalms 26:5
“ The fear of the LORD is to hate evil: pride, and arrogancy, and the evil way, and the froward mouth, do I hate.” Proverbs 8:13

Sin will harm you. There is a wage for committing sin now, while we are living, and eternally.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23
Some sins physically affect the body, and make one sick. Some alter one mentally. Sin will interfere with one’s social and marital life. God knows how damaging sin is, and that is why He hates it so. It is not that He does not want you to have any “fun”; it is because God loves us so much that He does not want us to suffer the damage sin will do.

Sin cursed mankind (Gen. 3:16-19), because of Adam’s and Eve’s first sin. Because of their sin, mankind has been cursed by the plague of sin to this day.

“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Rom. 5:12

Sin is contagious. Sin passed from Adam to his children and has not stopped spreading (Rom. 5:12). Also, when one is exposed to sin, it is easier to commit it. Much of the sin we have committed was planted by the idea we got from something we saw, felt, or heard.

Sin has an eternal price tag. For those that have not trusted Christ’s death to cover their sins, they will spend eternity in hell. For the believer, he will never lose His salvation, but sin will result in the loss of rewards for serving God as he should.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

Sin ruins one’s testimony. We will be tagged and remembered for the sin others know we commit.

“The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” Pr. 10:7

Sin robs us of our joy. We are so busy being tempted and ruined by sin, that we cannot enjoy life.

“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.” James 1:14-15
“The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: … Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.” Lamentations 1:18-20

Sin always has consequences. NO ONE gets away without damage being done by their sin. A sinner reaps sin’s consequences later than the sin was sown. Israel wandered in the desert for 40 years because of their sin. Some of us today are still reaping damage done by sin committed earlier in our lives!

“And your children shall wander in the wilderness forty years, and bear your whoredoms, until your carcasses be wasted in the wilderness.” Numbers 14:33
“Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation.” Exodus 34:7
“The house of the wicked shall be overthrown: but the tabernacle of the upright shall flourish.” Proverbs 14:11

Sin robs us of our freedom. God’s hand of protection is off the unrestrained sinner.

“Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” John 8:34
An unrepentant, unforgiven sinner is not spiritually alive:“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:” Ephesians 2:1-2

We should love His law, and sin is contrary to His law. A saved person is a changed person (II Cor. 5:17). He is a new creature that should have new desires to please God. How can a life of unrestrained sin please the Saviour that hates sin? A Christian will still sin, but he should do all he can to keep away from it and from committing sin. God desires us to stay away from it as far as possible, because committing sin will cost the sinner more than he would ever want to pay.

“ I have never heard one person ever say, at the end of their life, that they ever were glad they sinned. All usually regret it. "

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #238.