Sin, causes of

Sin is the result of the fall, at which the creation rebels against God its Creator.

Sin as a result of the devil's activity

The devil's instigation of the first sin

Genesis 3:13 See also Genesis 3:1–6; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Revelation 12:9

Then the LORD God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” “The serpent deceived me,” she replied, “and I ate.”

The devil's role as tempter

1 Thessalonians 3:5 See also Matthew 4:1–11 parallels Mark 1:12–13, Luke 4:1–13; Matthew 6:13

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter had somehow tempted you and that our labor might have been in vain.

The devil as the source of sinful behaviour

John 8:44 See also John 8:38, John 8:41; 1 John 3:8, 1 John 3:10

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out his desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, refusing to uphold the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

The sins of angels

2 Peter 2:4 See also Jude 1:6

For if God did not spare the angels when they sinned, but cast them deep into hell, placing them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment;

Sin as a power in the world

Sin's reign from the time of Adam

Romans 5:12 See also Genesis 4:7; John 8:34; Romans 5:21, Romans 6:16

Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, so also death was passed on to all men, because all sinned.

Sin uses the law to provoke sinful desires

Romans 7:5 See also Romans 7:7–12; 1 Corinthians 15:56

For when we lived according to the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in our bodies, bearing fruit for death.

The world is under sin's dominion

1 John 2:16 See also Luke 21:34; Titus 2:12

For all that is in the world — the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not from the Father but from the world.

Sin is rooted in human nature

The human heart is dominated by sin

Jeremiah 17:9 See also Matthew 15:19 parallel Mark 7:21–22; Romans 1:24; Hebrews 3:12

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?

Human nature is fundamentally opposed to God

Romans 8:5–8 See also Romans 7:14–25; Galatians 5:17–21; Ephesians 2:3; 2 Peter 2:10, 2 Peter 2:18

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh; but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind of the flesh is hostile to God: It does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those controlled by the flesh cannot please God.

The act of sinning

Sin results from giving in to evil desires

James 1:14–15 See also Romans 13:13–14; James 4:1; Jude 1:16

But each one is tempted when by his own evil desires he is lured away and enticed. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.

Sin results from the human desire to be like God

Genesis 3:5 See also Isaiah 14:12–14; Ezekiel 28:2

“For God knows that in the day you eat of it, your eyes will be opened and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”

Sin results when the body is placed at sin's disposal

Romans 6:13 See also Matthew 5:29–30, Matthew 18:8–9 parallel Mark 9:43–47

Do not present the parts of your body to sin as instruments of wickedness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and present the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.

Sin results from the influence of others

1 Corinthians 15:33 See also Exodus 23:33; 1 Kings 11:3; Proverbs 1:10, Proverbs 22:24–25

Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good character.”

The seriousness of leading others into sin

Mark 9:42 parallels Matthew 18:6, Luke 17:1–2 See also 1 Corinthians 8:9–13

But if anyone causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to stumble, it would be better for him to have a large millstone hung around his neck and to be thrown into the sea.