SIN A SPIRITUAL DISEASE

SIN Most persons in the church today have little knowledge of the subject! So we should ask some questions. Is there such a thing as sin? Do we sin? If we do what are its consequences Does it matter if we do? Are Christians any different from those who are in the world?

SIN What are the consequences of sin? – Short term – Long term What can the world do about the consequences of sin? What can Christians do about the consequences of sin?

SIN Sin defined. – Sin is: – TRANSGRESSION AGAINST THE LAW OF GOD – It manifests itself in specific thoughts, emotions and acts.

THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS They are: – Pride – Envy – Gluttony – Lust – Anger – Greed – Sloth

SEVEN DEADLY SINS Pride is excessive belief in one's own abilities, that interferes with the individual's recognition of the grace of God. It has been called the sin from which all others arise. Pride is also known as Vanity. Envy is the desire for others' traits, status, abilities, or situation.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS Gluttony is an inordinate desire to consume more than that which one requires. Lust is an inordinate craving for the pleasures of the body. Anger is manifested in the individual who spurns love and opts instead for fury. It is also known as Wrath.

SEVEN DEADLY SINS Greed is the desire for material wealth or gain, ignoring the realm of the spiritual. It is also called Avarice or Covetousness. Sloth is the avoidance of physical or spiritual work.

WHAT THE BIBLE SAYS ABOUT SIN Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, so that every mouth may be silenced and the whole world held accountable to God. Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin.

SIN But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

SIN Without the Holy Spirit we are a slave to sin. The Holy Spirit gives is the power to overcome sin. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so (Romans 8:6,7)

SIN But there are two other problems. If we do not maintain our relationship with God we will quench the Holy Spirit and be more likely to lack the power to resist temptation. Therefore it behooves us to maintain a close relationship with God through prayer, Bible reading, and worship!

SIN The second problem is that when we habitually sin we grieve the Holy Spirit. This has a greater effect on our relationship that the quenching. God seemingly hides his Spirit from us and we are left in spiritual darkness. It is almost as if we are without the Holy Spirit’s guidance and power

INSPECTING OURSELVES In 1 Corinthians 11 Paul asks us to inspect ourselves before we come to the Eucharist. What he means by this is that we should determine where and when we have sinned and face the fact that we have sinned. Only if we do this are we able to take steps to cleanse ourselves.

Cleansing Cleansing comes when we confess our sins to God and repent of them to receive his forgiveness. Repentance is not something that is called for today. – Is it necessary? – What precedes it? – How is it defined?

Repentance Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. Luke 5:32 A godly sorrow leads to repentance – Godly sorrow arises out of our realization that our sins caused Jesus to suffer on the Cross. In this state of mind we then resolve to amend our ways. Having confessed and repented we are now forgiven and God forgets our sins!

CONTINUATION Now that we have been cleansed our job is to find ways of resisting temptation and refraining from sinning again. It is clear that we are weak and will sin again, but God is faithful. If we confess our sins he is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins and cleanse us of all unrighteousness!

CONCLUSION Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires. The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace; the sinful mind is hostile to God. It does not submit to God's law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8)