How Do You View Sin?

Mike Johnson

In our society today, there is often acceptance of sin. In the past, however, shame was often associated with sin. Today, it is common for people to openly engage in sinful practices, not even attempting to hide them. For example, although now prevalent, a couple living together was called “living in sin.” However, in the past, a couple would date, get engaged, and then marry. Today, a couple will date, live together for a while, and then maybe become engaged and get married. Many view sins as adultery, fornication, homosexuality, immodest dress, lying, and stealing as acceptable.

God reveals the accurate picture of sin in His Word. In James 1:21, the writer points out the need to “…lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness.” From this verse, sin has the description of “filthiness.” We should look at sin as one would look at a filthy rag, looking upon it as disgusting and sickening. Further, according to the passage, we should stop committing all transgressions.

Note also II Peter 2, which speaks of those who, according to the context, had become Christians but turned back to sin. Verse 22 describes them in this way: “But it has happened to them according to the true proverb: ‘A dog returns to his own vomit,’ and, ‘a sow, having washed, to her wallowing in the mire.'” This scene is not pretty.

Another passage to consider is Isaiah 5:20, which says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” A person can call evil good, but that does not mean it is. A person may call darkness light and speak of bitter as sweet, but merely calling it such does not change its true nature. Abraham Lincoln once said, “If you call a tail a leg, how many legs does a horse have? Four, calling a tail a leg does not make it a leg.” Similarly, calling evil good does not change it at all.

Incorrect labels can produce devastating effects. A container with poison needs proper labels. A poison with no name on the container is dangerous. Mislabeled poison is even more hazardous. A bag with poison, for example, labeled as “sugar,” could produce tragic results. The same principle applies to sin.

Isaiah 59:1-2 makes it clear sin separates us from God. Romans 3:23 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 6:23 reveals, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

How do you view sin?