Sin Still Ruins Lives

Sin is becoming a less accepted word in our cultural vocabulary.

Some preachers, some well-known, mega-church, media empire preachers, don’t use the word.

Many people now see the word sin as out-dated, or offensive, or inaccurate in describing modern life.

All that being said, “Sin” still exacts a price, takes it toll, and ruins many a life.

In evangelical circles we often hear how sin will send you to hell. But it will also cause sleepless nights, restless days, stressful lives, broken relationships, destroyed families, harmed health, and so much more. Whether we use the word “sin” or not; whether we believe there is such a thing as “sin” or not; there is always a pay day some day.

Denying that we are sinners will not make us saints.

Some Christians believe because they are saved by grace that their “sins” are no longer “sins.” Here’s the biblical view from the Apostle Paul: “What then are we to say? Should we continue in sin in order that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin go on living in it?” (Romans 6:1-2)

One of the problems we face is our definition of “sin.” This is one of those questions where you ask three people to define sin and you’ll get at least six opinions. In 1964 Supreme Court Justice Potter Stewart made news when he said, “I know obscenity when I see it.” Most of us think that way about “sin.” We know it when we see it…or we think we do.

Our definition of sin can depend on our religious tradition, or what church we’re brought up in. It can also depend on the social environment of the community where we were raised. And it certainly is influenced by what we were taught in our homes.

Some people define “sin” as anything that is different from what they believe. Therefore, the logical conclusion is, “sin” has no relevance because we all define it differently.

But what if unfaithfulness is breaking up your marriage? Is the seventh commandment still relegated to the archives of antiquity and irrelevant to our times, to modernity?

“You shall not commit adultery.” (Exodus 20:14)

What if someone tells a lie about you, or a member of your family, perhaps a gossipy lie that ruins your reputation and your life? Do you still consider the ninth commandment as a law for the ancients? “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16) Is that just someone’s bad choice, or a mistake they made, or is it a “sin” that has affected your life?

As fears are fed, as anger grows, as bitterness develops, as divisions increase, it’s time for us to remind ourselves of a two thousand year old warning that, whether we accept it or not, is still true. (Not everyone accepts the truth, because it is often easier to believe a lie. Look at our culture which has become a culture of lies where objective truth is rapidly losing its significance. We are paying a price, and we will pay a greater price, for accepting lies as truth. But I digress.) Where was I? Ah, yes, I was reminding us of that warning from two thousand years ago: “Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8) If you don’t believe there is a devil, will you agree that there is much in the world that will devour us if we don’t keep alert to the temptations that come before us?

The Apostle Paul: “So then, putting away falsehood, let all of us speak the truth to our neighbors, for we are members of one another.” (Ephesians 4:25)

We are remiss when we don’t “speak the truth in love.” (Ephesians 4:15) Speaking the truth in love means telling you there is “sin.” It also means telling you that “sin” will devour you, destroy you and your family, ruin your life, and leave you with a restless spirit that will not be satisfied.

No sin brings satisfaction.

“Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) Too often, we Christians tear down instead of building up; pass judgments instead of sharing encouragement; point out problems instead of offering solutions.

“Put away from you all bitterness and wrath and anger and wrangling and slander, together with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31) Let’s take a moment and let that sink in. Paul wrote those words some two thousand years ago, but as the writer of Ecclesiastes reminds us, “there is nothing new under the sun,” and Paul’s words are just as relevant today as they were when he first penned them from his prison cell.

Perhaps you’ve heard the old definition of sin given by a preacher many years ago, “I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I don’t chew, and I don’t run around with women that do.” It’s a catchy and funny statement, but it doesn’t give us a clear picture of “sin.” We like to define sin as things other people do, or what other people believe, but what if we’re the ones who’ve failed to accurately define “sin?”

Paul continues with the positives in life: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.” (Ephesians 4:32) These are words that help us live our lives to the fullest, bring us real satisfaction, give meaning to life, and certainly make life better. Do you see what bitterness, wrath, anger, wrangling, slander, and malice are doing to us? They are tearing us apart, destroying the moral fabric of our society, handing us a foreboding future. I hear and read how things like tenderheartedness, forgiveness, and Christ-like living are now seen as weaknesses, because too many Christians are failing to be Christians and stand up for basic biblical principles—love, grace, mercy, encouragement, kindness, truth, and forgiveness.

Here’s the key to Christian living: “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” (Ephesians 5:1)

If we take “sin” lightly, it will quickly become a heavy load.

Let’s give the prophet Isaiah the last word today…give thought to his warning:

“There is no one who calls on your name,

or attempts to take hold of you;

for you have hidden your face from us,

and have delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.” (Isaiah 64:7)

Read Isaiah’s words carefully. If we choose to ignore the dangers of “sin” (iniquity), and refuse to deal with our “sins” by seeking God’s forgiveness and new life, then God allows us live with that choice as we deliver ourselves into the hand of our iniquity.

“Yet, O Lord, you are our Father;

we are the clay, and you are our potter;

we are all the work of your hand.

Do not be exceedingly angry, O Lord,

and do not remember our iniquity forever.” (Isaiah 64:8-9)

There is a better way… “I am the way, the truth, and the life…” The words of Jesus in John 14:6.