Reader's VErsion
What Is Sin?
Sermon By Gene Simco
Reader's Version
I heard a story about a little boy who attempted to get a cookie from a clear glass jar on top of a refrigerator. He climbed onto a chair, reached for the jar, but he couldn’t quite touch the cookie. The jar began tipping over. Just then, his mom walked in.
“What are you doing?”
But here’s the funny part: he didn’t pull his hand out. He froze, and didn’t answer. A lot of thoughts probably started running through his mom's mind. She might’ve wondered, “Does he think he’s invisible? Or possibly a ninja?” She didn’t know what to think, but there he was, frozen.
“I can see you…” she said. He still didn’t move. The jar was tilted, and he was straining to hold it up.
Let me ask you the question again: “What are you doing?”
He replied, “I’m fighting temptation.”Clever kid.
This story illustrates the point that we are all sinners, right from childhood. That's why kids aren't innocent. As children, we are liars and thieves.
Now, this doesn’t necessarily have to be about a cookie jar. Maybe as a child, you got caught doing something you shouldn’t have been doing. What’s the normal reaction? You pull back, right? If it’s a cookie jar, you quickly pull your hand out and then try to come up with some excuse. But parents, they know what you’re up to, even if you don’t realize it. They're setting you up like detectives. They ask you a rhetorical question: “What are you doing?” They already know the answer. They can see what you’re doing, but they want to catch you in a lie as well. Now, not only are you a thief, but you're a liar too. And that's where the problems start.So, the normal reaction is to try and cover up or hide, because that's how we're wired as human beings.
We talked about experiencing the Trinity- God is three persons and one essence. But we focused on experiencing the Trinity, as opposed to the theological details alone. You can have the basic understanding, but the key is experiencing it. In this chapter, we're going to focus on those who reject that experience. But before we do, let’s go back and look at the role of the Holy Spirit. First, I want to highlight this in John 16:5:
John 16:5 “But now I am going away to the one who sent me, and not one of you is asking where I am going. 6 Instead, you grieve because of what I’ve told you. 7 But in fact, it is best for you that I go away, because if I don’t, the Advocate won’t come. If I do go away, then I will send him to you. 8 And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God’s righteousness, and of the coming judgment. 9 The world’s sin is that it refuses to believe in me.
A lot of people ask the question, what is sin? We talked about the Bible, and I summarized the whole point of it. When we begin reading the Old Testament, you quickly see the common denominator: no matter who you are reading about, from Adam and Eve to Abraham, people are constantly rejecting God. What happens? Pride. They want to be like God. Right from the beginning, they had paradise. It was perfect—better than Naples Florida. Hard to believe, right? Total paradise. But they reject it, as if it's not enough. That's sin. They rejected God.
As we move through the stories, you begin to see this repeated cycle. Then we get to the New Testament, and we’re given a second chance - to accept God through Jesus, who saves us, and promises to bring us back to paradise. But throughout, we see that humankind constantly chooses sin because we have a sinful nature. That’s what the Bible teaches us. Now, despite all of this, you might hear that people are generally good. That’s wrong. Otherwise, Jesus wouldn’t have had to die. Some people will try to lawyer their way out of it this truth, though. When asked, “Have you ever stolen anything?” They’ll say no, thinking of something big like Grand Theft Auto or a bank robbery, but what about simple things? Have you ever picked up money that didn’t belong to you? Have you ever lied? People will usually admit to that. Cheated? Now, people start to think, "Well, I’ve never cheated on my spouse," but what does Jesus say? It's a heart issue. If you’ve even looked at someone else with lust in your heart, you've committed adultery. That doesn’t sound like a good person with a good heart. Jesus takes it a step further. If you're angry with someone, He likens it to murder. It’s all about the heart. So, no, we’re not good people. We’ve all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory.
God gave us free will, but what did we do with that? We rejected Him. That’s the story here. So, now people will start lawyering this even more. This is where it gets funny, especially if you're a parent. Kids are like lawyers. What if? What if? What if? You set down a rule, and they find 1,000 ways to break it. That’s what people do. As a pastor, when I get asked, "Is this sin?" I sometimes respond, "If you have to ask, you already know." You're just trying to get permission to sin.We’ve looked at Galatians 5. We saw the benchmark for a Christian: the fruit of the Spirit. How do you know if someone’s a Christian? They’re going to display the fruit of the Spirit. The Bible teaches us to Judge a tree by its fruit. Christians will produce good fruit and not a lot of bad fruit. In Galatians, we see the works of the flesh, which are sin (we can also refer to that as bad fruit). Let’s look at them both together now. Turn with me to Galatians 5:19.
Galatians 5:19 When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, 21 envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God. 22 But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!
So that’s the evidence. We have the fruit of the Spirit. And here we see the sin nature—the Holy Spirit is at war against it. These two forces are opposed to one another, constantly fighting - although less and less as we mature in Christ (progressive sanctification). Now, on this list, some sins might seem really big to certain people - seemingly worse than others. But notice that, in the same list, there are things that seem like less of a big deal, yet they’re included without any distinction.Take a look: hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, along with wild parties and other sins like these. We can clearly see that we have all sinned. We’ve all sinned in some way. When we look at that list more carefully, we see that those who continue in these behaviors have a stern warning: those who persist in them will not inherit the kingdom of God.
This relates directly to what Jesus says when He - In essence, says, "you can identify a tree by its fruit." A tree that produces bad fruit is not a good tree. It’s simple. (Matthew 7)
We see similar lists with similar warnings in other places. In 1 Timothy 1, for example, we see things like murder, sexual immorality, homosexuality, kidnapping, liars, and promise breakers. If you go to Ephesians, you’ll notice that the point of the book is unity, especially within the church. Paul urges the believers to overcome envy, jealousy, strife, divisions, and disorder in order to promote harmony. In Ephesians 4, Paul writes: "Let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:23-24)
This new nature comes through the Holy Spirit, transforming us away from our old sin nature. Paul goes on to address various sins that disrupt unity, such as lustful pleasures, impurity, and lies. Anger, once again, makes an appearance. Paul stresses that if you're angry, "don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry," (Ephesians 4:26) urging believers to deal with anger swiftly.
He also addresses theft, saying, "If you are a thief, quit stealing." (Ephesians 4:28) But it's not just about avoiding bad behavior—Paul calls for positive action. He says, "Let no foul or abusive language come out of your mouth," (Ephesians 4:29) and emphasizes that we should not grieve the Holy Spirit with our behavior. Instead, we should embody qualities like kindness, tenderness, and forgiveness, just as God has forgiven us through Christ.
Again, we see seemingly “smaller” sins, like lying, stealing, and foul language, which people often overlook or dismiss. But they’re all addressed here as part of the call to live in a way that aligns with our new nature. People often fail to realize how harmful anger is. The Bible mentions anger repeatedly, and yet it’s one of the sins that people tend to downplay. If you've ever been angry with someone, it’s important to recognize that anger is sin when it leads to bitterness or unresolved conflict.For those who may point out the fact that the Bible speaks of God’s anger often, Scripture clarifies this point:
James 1:19 Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. 20 Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.
The call to walk in the Spirit is one that leads us to not only avoid these destructive behaviors but to actively pursue kindness, forgiveness, and love. This transformation isn’t just about avoiding "big" sins—it’s about renewing our hearts and minds so that we can live as lights in the world, reflecting Christ's love in everything we do.
So, we see a lot of different sins here. Some are ones we might dismiss, like murder or stealing, thinking, "That’s not me." Then there are others that people don’t often recognize as sins, like foul language and lying. If we continue in Ephesians, we see this:
Ephesians 5:1 Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. 2 Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. 3 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. 4 Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. 5 You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. 6 Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. 7 Don’t participate in the things these people do. 8 For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! 9 For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.
Paul continues here with a call for spirit-guided living. If we apply what we’ve learned about the Trinity, we can see that imitating God means following Jesus' example. And we do this with the Holy Spirit’s guidance, giving us the power to follow Jesus. Paul lists many things people often excuse, yet these actions are warned against, and again, there’s a stern warning about not inheriting the kingdom of God if we live this way.
Even those things that people normally excuse, like greed and foolish talk, are included. When the Bible teaches that we shouldn’t listen to people who excuse these behaviors or make light of them, it’s clear: they have rejected God. So, as I mentioned earlier, when people ask, “What is sin?” the answer is simple: if you have to ask, it’s probably sin.
Now, going back to the beginning of the book, we asked the question: “Does God even exist?” That’s the most basic question that must be answered before we move forward. And in that discussion, Paul makes some very clever arguments in Romans. Let’s take a look at Romans 1:18: "But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. Forever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky through everything God made. They can clearly see his invisible qualities, his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God." (Romans 1:18-20)
Here we see that people have no excuse for not knowing God. But they also have no excuse for their sin. Paul continues in Romans 1:24:Romans 1:24 So God abandoned them to do whatever shameful things their hearts desired. As a result, they did vile and degrading things with each other’s bodies. 25 They traded the truth about God for a lie. So they worshiped and served the things God created instead of the Creator himself, who is worthy of eternal praise! Amen. 26 That is why God abandoned them to their shameful desires. Even the women turned against the natural way to have sex and instead indulged in sex with each other. 27 And the men, instead of having normal sexual relations with women, burned with lust for each other. Men did shameful things with other men, and as a result of this sin, they suffered within themselves the penalty they deserved. 28 Since they thought it foolish to acknowledge God, he abandoned them to their foolish thinking and let them do things that should never be done. 29 Their lives became full of every kind of wickedness, sin, greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. 30 They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning, and they disobey their parents. 31 They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. 32 They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die, yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them, too.
Does this sound repetitive? Yes, and there's a reason for that. They are backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. They invent new ways of sinning and they disobey their parents. They refuse to understand, break their promises, are heartless, and have no mercy. They know God’s justice requires that those who do these things deserve to die. Yet they do them anyway. Worse yet, they encourage others to do them too!
We see more sins here, and some of them are things people don't think much about, but they keep coming up over and over again—greed, hate, envy, murder, quarreling, deception, malicious behavior, and gossip. They're backstabbers, haters of God, insolent, proud, and boastful. Again, these are sins that people casually engage in, but the Word of God says they are extremely serious. Greed, hate, and quarreling—don’t Christians know you're not supposed to do that?
Pride is always a sin, no matter what form it takes. If you’ve been in this church for a while, perhaps you’ve heard this before. Sometimes, Bible translations use idioms that can be misleading. For example, in the NLT, phrases like "you’re my pride and joy" can create confusion because the word pride is never used in a positive sense in the Bible. Paul never says pride in the way we commonly think of it today. Instead, in the Greek, the word he uses is καύχημα (kafchéma), which means a boast—but not necessarily about oneself. Rather, it’s a rejoicing or exulting in something that glorifies God, not self.
In contrast, the Bible consistently portrays pride as sinful, using two distinct Greek words:• ὑπερήφανος (huperéphanos) – meaning prideful or arrogant, over-exalting, showing oneself above others (James 4:6, 1 Peter 5:5).James 4:6 – “And he gives grace generously. As the Scriptures say, ‘God opposes the proud (ὑπερήφανος) but gives grace to the humble.’”• ἀλαζονεία (alazoneía) – meaning boastful arrogance, an empty pretense of greatness (1 John 2:16, James 4:16).1 John 2:16 – “For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride (ἀλαζονεία) in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.”
Pride is never a virtue in Scripture. It is the very sin that led to Adam & Eve’s fall, the downfall of kings, and the ruin of many. While we can rejoice (kafchéma) in what God has done through us, we must never exalt ourselves above others. True humility, as seen in Christ, is the antidote to pride.So, in everything, we need to realize that pride is not good. It is a sin, and that includes pride in homosexuality.
Here's the thing, though—I'm not singling it out. Again, the Bible emphasizes the “casual” sins too, and they’re all in the same list. For those who are fans of picketing against his sin in person, or online, please take note that homosexuality is not singled out from these lists. It's not separated. There are many who should protest themselves. Protest your foul language. Protest your quarreling. We have to look at this right, with clean eyes, through the Holy Spirit. When we see the sin of homosexuality listed, we should take note of the other sins also in the same list …
1 Corinthians 6:9 Don’t you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don’t fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, 10 or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people—none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.
With that being said, homosexuality must be addressed because of its growing acceptance and affirmation in the church. Additionally, the Bible does highlight sexual sin as it does others like anger apart from these lists that we see.
1 Corinthians 6:18 Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. 19 Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, 20 for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body.
On this topic – especially when you get to 1 Corinthians 6 and 1 Timothy 1, when you’re trying to deal with something difficult, you’ll often hear people try to make it about the Greek language, which most of them don’t even know. It’s reiterated, Paul draws from Leviticus, and in both the Old and New Testament. A key term in this discussion is the Greek word ἀρσενοκοίτης (arsenokoítēs), used in 1 Corinthians 6:9 and 1 Timothy 1:10. The word combines ἄρσην (arsēn, “male”) and κοίτη (koitē, “bed” or “sexual intercourse”), literally meaning “a man who beds with a male.”
This term is unique to Paul’s writings in the New Testament, but its roots are found in the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament). Specifically, ἀρσενοκοίτης echoes the language used in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13 in the Septuagint. In these passages, the phrase καὶ μετὰ ἄρσενος οὐ κοιμηθήσῃ κοίτην γυναικός (kai meta arsēnos ou koimēthēsē koitēn gynaikos) translates to “You shall not lie with a male as with a woman,” explicitly prohibiting homosexual acts. The overlap between the Septuagint phrasing and Paul’s term strongly suggests that Paul is drawing directly from this Old Testament language when coining or using ἀρσενοκοίτης.
This is why Romans provides us with such a compelling argument. Paul defeats that because he actually describes the act. He describes the act—it’s a sin. While not under the Law of Moses, Paul’s usage highlights continuity between the moral law in the Old Testament and the ethical teachings for believers in the New Testament. By using a term rooted in the Greek Old Testament, Paul connects his warnings against sexual sin to the divine authority of the Torah. This reinforces the idea that the New Testament doesn’t deviate from God’s original standards regarding sexual sin, but affirms them within the context of the Gospel.
The importance of this connection cannot be overstated. It underscores that Paul’s teachings were not arbitrary or culturally confined but deeply grounded in Scripture. The Septuagint was widely used among Greek-speaking Jews and early Christians, making it an authoritative reference point for Paul’s audience. By drawing from Leviticus, Paul aligns his warnings about sexual immorality, including homosexual acts, with God’s longstanding commands, reaffirming their relevance for Christian life and holiness.
Ultimately, these passages remind us of the seriousness of sin, the call to repentance, and the transformative power of Christ. The very next verses in 1 Corinthians 6:11 offer hope: “Some of you were once like that. But you were cleansed; you were made holy; you were made right with God by calling on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.” This points to the redemptive nature of the Gospel, which offers forgiveness and transformation to all who repent and believe.
If we go back to Romans, when talking about excusing things or giving approval to certain sins, we seem to be in the age of "but now it's okay." Paul is, first of all, defeating a really popular argument then and now, which goes something like, "Things have changed now." In modern times – the claim can be that we’ve evolved physically or culturally – both then and now, it is the idea that things have changed: "It’s not culturally relevant. It’s from a long time ago." But what happened when man was created and needed a helper? God created another man for him? No, He created a woman. That’s the helper. You figure out pretty quickly that those parts go together—they work, and they work for a purpose.
You don’t recreate God’s nature. We’re made in His image – male and female for a specific purpose and that didn’t change. Nothing about that has changed. It’s the same. You may want to change it, but that’s not God changing; it’s you. Nature hasn’t changed.
God made us in His image—male and female. Who is the visible image of the invisible God? Jesus. (Colossians 1:15) He’s a man, not claiming to be a woman or anything else. When we say we’re made in the image of God, it’s male and female. To distort that is to distort God's creation and God's very image!
Many will argue that the Bible is old and out of date, but here’s the other thing—Paul’s writings are impressive because he’s talking about things that happened around 2,000 years before him, and it sounds like he’s talking about people today. Nothing new under the sun. If you’ve read Ecclesiastes, you know this. It was going on then, and it’s going on now. They were making excuses and giving approval for these things, and it’s all the same.
If we fast forward to the future – consider the book of Revelation. In Revelation 19, the scene shifts to a great celebration in heaven following the fall of Babylon, symbolizing the judgment of the wicked. The chapter opens with a chorus of praise to God for His justice and for avenging the blood of His servants, and a great wedding feast follows. This highlights the victory of Christ over His enemies and the ultimate union between Christ and His followers. Then we se Jesus as the rider on the white horse coming to pronounce judgement on the world, bridging between the defeat of Babylon and the final judgement.
In the next chapters, Revelation 20–22 describe the final judgment, the defeat of Satan, and the establishment of a new heaven and new earth. After the millennium, Satan is released for a brief time, only to be defeated and cast into the lake of fire. The dead are judged according to their deeds, and anyone whose name is not written in the book of life is cast into the lake of fire (Revelation 20:11-15).
Revelation 21 speaks of the new heavens and new earth, where there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain. The holy city, the New Jerusalem, comes down from heaven, and God Himself will dwell with His people. However, Revelation 21:8 lists those who will be excluded from this eternal life with God: “the cowardly, the unbelieving, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those who practice magic arts, the idolaters, and all liars.”.
The term "sexually immoral" in Revelation 21:8 is translated from the Greek word πόρνος – “pornos”, which broadly refers to sexual immorality or illicit sexual behavior – think of the word “porn”, short for pornography. In the full context of Scripture, pornos includes a wide range of sexual sins as defined by the Bible, such as adultery, fornication, incest, and homosexuality. Remember, in passages like 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul warns that those who engage in sexual sin, including homosexuality will not inherit the kingdom of God. The prophecy in Revelation affirms that warning.
Thus, in Revelation 21, those who persist in sexual sin, including homosexuality, are excluded from the eternal presence of God, not because of one specific sin, but because they have chosen to live in opposition to God's commands. The Bible consistently upholds God's design for marriage and sexuality as between one man and one woman. Therefore, all sexual sin—whether it be homosexuality, adultery, or any form of sexual immorality—falls under the category of porneia and results in exclusion from the new heavens and new earth unless one repents and turns to Christ. Homosexuality is not a sin confined to a certain time – it is for all time according to God’s Word.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. His nature has not changed. If we were made in God’s image, that’s not going to change. So, this is not a cultural issue. It’s not a cultural problem. It’s a natural issue.
Again, this is a rejection of God's image and His design for us. We will look at this subject again in greater detail in our chapter on marriage.By nature, we should know better. We’ve talked a little about bad teachings, and if you read your New Testament a lot, it’s heavy on false teachings and false teachers. Church leadership had to deal with it then and still do today. For example, there are false teachings on the Trinity or on sin’s severity. For example, some denominations have the idea of "mortal" and "venial" sins, where venial sins are considered “not a big deal.” But that’s simply not true. The Bible doesn’t make that distinction. It should be obvious that there’s no such thing as a sin that’s “no big deal.” All sin is serious.
This distinction can be dangerous. Historically, it has led to abuses in the church, like the misuse of confession, which in itself is a very good practice, but that led to things like indulgences. That’s not how it works. It’s dangerous because it lowers the seriousness of sin. If you believe some sins are "no big deal," you might think, “Okay, just say a few prayers and you’re fine,” but that's not how God’s Word describes sin. Sin is sin, and it’s all serious.
Now, before you get the idea that I'm pointing fingers at a particular denomination, consider this: Protestants have their own issues. How many times are we going to rededicate ourselves to Jesus? True baptism (as we’ll examine later) is about a true, heartfelt commitment. When you’re baptized, you should make sure you’re serious about it because that’s what the Bible calls for- It’s a one time, then for all time commitment.
Sin is sin. All of it is bad. There’s no part of it that’s excusable. Jesus died for our sins—past, present, and future—but not so that we could take advantage of it and trivialize sin. We are forgiven when we make mistakes, but we shouldn’t treat that forgiveness lightly.
Now, some people ask: "Are there unforgivable sins?" Is there something so bad that God will never forgive it? This question usually leads to the idea of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. People point to what Jesus said in Mark 3:28-29, where He was previously accused of casting out demons by the power of the prince of demons. The logic was that He was demon-possessed and therefore His power was from Satan. Jesus responds by saying that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is an unforgivable sin. So, people often use this verse to argue that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is the one unforgivable sin.
Mark 3:28 “I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, 29 but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences.” 30 He told them this because they were saying, “He’s possessed by an evil spirit.”
Mark adds an interesting note. He tells us that Jesus responded to them because they were saying He was possessed by an evil spirit. If you understand how the Greek language works and the way Jesus spoke, He could be using hyperbole here. Even Mark adds a disclaimer—"He said this because"—and why is that? Because the people were accusing Jesus of having a demon. Jesus knew that the Holy Spirit was within Him, and there’s no way a demon could also dwell in Him. We’ll get into that later.
It’s impossible for that to happen. So, what’s happening here is a rejection of God. Jesus’ point is, “No, I am with God,” which makes sense when we consider that the unforgivable sin is the rejection of the Holy Spirit. Why is that so serious? Because in baptism, we are baptized in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. If you don’t have the Holy Spirit, you’re not saved. Therefore, rejecting the Holy Spirit means rejecting God completely, which is logically the unforgivable sin. Now, let’s take a closer look at 1 John 5:16, since we’re on this topic. Let’s turn to that.
1 John 5:16 If you see a fellow believer sinning in a way that does not lead to death, you should pray, and God will give that person life. But there is a sin that leads to death, and I am not saying you should pray for those who commit it. 17 All wicked actions are sin, but not every sin leads to death.
What is "the sin that leads to death."? If we’re being discerning, we know there are many sins that can result in physical death, but here it’s singular—one sin. The Greek translation is accurate in this case. The Bible speaks of the "wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23), referring to eternal death, not just physical death. So, some might speculate that this refers to the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit.
We can come to the same conclusion: No Spirit, no salvation.
However, the Holy Spirit will lead a believer to true repentance and, ultimately, forgiveness. If we keep reading, the very next verse in 1 John 5:18 addresses this point.1 John 5:18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them. 19 We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one.
Satan is the god of this world. This world is evil. But we’re not to make a practice of sinning. That’s important. So, we can see that the sin leading to death is something intentional—likely that rejection, or blasphemy, which is a serious word. It refers to the rejection of the Holy Spirit.
Here’s the thing: There are consequences for intentional sin. I’m going to give you a glimpse of those consequences in the next chapter, but for now, let’s focus on this intentional rejection of the Holy Spirit. Hebrews 10:26 speaks to this.
Hebrews 10:26 Dear friends, if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice that will cover these sins. 27 There is only the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies. 28 For anyone who refused to obey the law of Moses was put to death without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Just think how much worse the punishment will be for those who have trampled on the Son of God, and have treated the blood of the covenant, which made us holy, as if it were common and unholy, and have insulted and disdained the Holy Spirit who brings God’s mercy to us.
So, did you notice a couple of things in there? It’s intentional, on purpose—that is very consistent with what we saw Paul writing in Ephesians and Galatians. It’s about living that kind of life. It’s more than just an accidental "oops." You’re setting out to do it intentionally, and that’s what the Word of God is addressing here. There’s a difference between “oops” and setting out to do it on purpose. It’s the difference between doing something accidentally and a premeditated action.
We all make mistakes, but if we have the Holy Spirit, two things will happen. First, He’s going to convict us. We’re going to feel wrong, and that’s a good thing. If you feel wrong about it, that’s the Holy Spirit working in you. Second, if you love Him, you won’t keep doing it. That’s what the Word of God teaches.
Now, the Bible mentions the law of Moses here in Hebrews, and that’s interesting. Why? Well, think about it. Those people weren’t necessarily spirit-filled. So, if they were put to death for not following the law of Moses, without the tools we have today (the Holy Spirit), and without Jesus having died for their sins yet, how much worse should the punishment be for us?
That’s a sobering thought. Christianity calls us to a much higher moral standard. That’s what many Christians fail to understand. We have the Holy Spirit living in us, giving us the power to resist sin and live according to God's will. If we’re seeing someone who is not living according to God’s will for the most part, we can then Biblically judge a tree by its fruit and assume that person doesn’t have the Holy Spirit living in them.
I want to address one issue that, honestly, seems so outlandish that I would hardly bring it up if it weren’t becoming so prevalent. I’m talking about the “deliverance ministry”, which is gaining traction among those who don’t read their Bibles.
As we’ve discussed, people often cite blasphemy of the Holy Spirit as the unforgivable sin. To the charge of being demon possessed, in Mark 3:28, Jesus responds, "I tell you the truth, all sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, but anyone who blasphemes the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven. This is a sin with eternal consequences." Mark adds that Jesus said this because the people were claiming He was possessed by an evil spirit. The idea is that if Jesus is filled with the Holy Spirit, there cannot be a demon within Him as well.
As we saw in 1 John, it says, “the evil one cannot touch them.” Similarly, in 2 Corinthians 6, it’s noted that the Holy Spirit cannot have fellowship with idols or demons. If you have the Holy Spirit in you, you cannot be possessed by demons.
1 John 5:18 We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning, for God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.
2 Corinthians 6:15 What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 16 And what union can there be between God’s temple and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God said: “I will live in them and walk among them. I will be their God, and they will be my people.
James 4:7 So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
Exorcisms are mentioned in the Gospels, but they were performed on people who were not Christians. You don’t see this type of ministry beyond Acts. Nor do you read about it in Paul's letters to the churches – that is 13 out of 27 books of the New Testament! Why? Because Paul knows that Christians, who have the Holy Spirit, cannot be possessed by demons.
Yet, we see people pretending to be demon-possessed in the church. I say “pretending” because, often, it seems like a way to excuse personal behavior. When they claim to be demon possessed, there is now a lot of attention – and often pity showered on them. This is similar to how some people make themselves victims when they do something wrong, hoping that others will feel sorry for them and not hold them accountable. This manipulation, when seen repeatedly in adulthood, points to narcissistic behavior.
When someone calls their sin “their cross,” it’s a misunderstanding of what Jesus meant by taking up one’s cross. This behavior of claiming, "The devil made me do it," and returning to repeat the same actions week after week, suggests a deeper issue. It indicates that the person might not truly be saved or have the Holy Spirit in them. The cycle of sin and manipulation is about a lack of genuine transformation.
The message is clear: if you have the Holy Spirit in you, you cannot have a demon.
1 John 5:18: “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning. For God’s Son holds them securely, and the evil one cannot touch them.” This is powerful. It means that if you have the Holy Spirit, the devil can't make you sin. You have the power to resist because the Holy Spirit is in you. You may be tempted, but if you choose to sin, it’s because you wanted to—not because the devil forced you.
Now, speaking of 1 John, let’s look at another verse that people often twist: 1 John 1:8.1 John 1:8 If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. 9 But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we are calling God a liar and showing that his word has no place in our hearts.
The misuse here is this: people might say, “I can do whatever I want, otherwise I’m a liar,” using this verse to justify their actions. But that logic is twisted, and it's at the expense of Jesus's sacrifice. If we carefully examine the verse, we see a couple of things. First, it acknowledges our sin nature. The Greek word έχω "echo" implies that we have a sinful nature. So, if we say we don’t have that nature, we’re lying. That’s what this verse is talking about.
The important thing is that sin, in the past tense, is cleansed through Jesus. The verse says He has cleansed us from those sins and from all wickedness. That's the key! For those who misuse this verse, reading comprehension is crucial.
Now, for more clarity, just turn the page of your Bible, because the next verses say this:1 John 2:1 My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. 2 He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world.
So why is John writing? He tells us his purpose—so that we won’t sin. That’s his main point for writing! Jesus’s sacrifice wasn’t made just for us to acknowledge it. It happened so we could be freed from sin, not so we could continue in it. That’s the point. Jesus sacrificed Himself for us, not so we could keep sinning, but so we wouldn’t.
If we keep reading, we see this in 1 John 2...1 John 2:3 And we can be sure that we know him if we obey his commandments. 4 If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth. 5 But those who obey God’s word truly show how completely they love him. That is how we know we are living in him. 6 Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did.
Are we seeing this theme emerge? It’s kind of ironic—now, who’s the liar? It’s the one who says they love God but doesn’t obey Him or live like Jesus. We could stop reading there, but it’s crucial to continue to chapter 3. 1 John 3:4 says, “Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God.” This verse breaks down the idea of “venial” versus “mortal” sins; it shows that all sin is serious. We could also look at James 2:10, which aligns with this same teaching. If we continue in 1 John 3, we see this …
1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. 5 And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. 6 Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. 7 Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. 8 But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. 9 Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God. 10 So now we can tell who are children of God and who are children of the devil. Anyone who does not live righteously and does not love other believers does not belong to God.
Now, here’s where I could just drop the mic and say case closed! It’s redundant: Jesus came to take away our sins, to die for us so that we wouldn’t keep doing those things. We should be so filled with His Spirit that we simply can’t keep sinning. God becomes so much a part of us that we don’t even want to do those things. Yes, we’ll make mistakes, but we bring them before God, correct them, and move forward. We don’t want to sin because we love Him, and we certainly don’t sin at His expense. Jesus didn’t die so we could live however we please.
It’s a powerful statement, and if that wasn’t enough, John clarifies it twice—those who persist in sin are called “children of the devil.” That’s straight from God’s Word, and it’s a sound translation.
As John concludes the letter, he emphasizes this truth: “We know that God’s children do not make a practice of sinning” (1 John 5:18). Then he gives a final reminder in verse 21: “Dear children, keep away from anything that might take God’s place in your hearts,” showing us the real issue. That’s how he closes the letter: God’s children do not make a habit of sinning. So, do we still buy into how some misuse 1 John 1? It’s abundantly clear if we just keep reading—there’s no room for twisting it into something it’s not.
This isn’t the only verse misused in popular teaching today, but most are cleared up the same way—by simply reading the Bible in full. One of the most commonly twisted teachings on “struggling with sin” comes from two places in Romans.
Romans 3:23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.
This misuse is very similar to the one we saw in 1 John 1—people take it as an excuse, essentially saying, "I’ll just do whatever I want," without continuing to read for context. Paul, however, is establishing unity here. He’s leveling the playing field. Much like in Ephesians, the book of Romans deals with divisions, where Jewish and Gentile Christians are at odds, each thinking they’re better than the other. Paul’s point is to remind them all, “You’ve all sinned.” In essence, he’s saying, “Stop it. You’re all on the same level.” Just before this, he had even told the Jews, “If you know so much, teach yourself.” Paul’s message? They’ve all sinned—no one’s above the other. Also note that the word sinned is past tense.
Then, another passage often misinterpreted is in Romans 7. This one is frequently misused, especially around the section that might be labeled in your Bible as “Struggling with Sin.” Now, that title isn’t in the original text. A few things weren’t in the original text, like chapter and verse numbers. These additions didn’t appear until about 1,200 years after the New Testament was written. Descriptive headings can sometimes be limiting—or even misleading. When you see headings like “Struggling with Sin,” it can cause you to miss a broader context that’s much richer.
The chapter numbers can often interrupt the discourse as well. Take the Sermon on the Mount, for example—Matthew chapters 5 through 7. Originally, it was one continuous teaching from Jesus, without breaks, headings or chapter divisions. When you read it piecemeal, or with only chapter titles as your guide, you miss how everything ties together. When you read it in full, Jesus clarifies so much throughout. The same principle applies here in Romans; without reading it in one sitting, you’re likely to miss the whole point.
Alright, so let’s take a look at our often misused verses in Romans 7:14-17...Romans 7:14 So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. 15 I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. 16 But if I know that what I am doing is wrong, this shows that I agree that the law is good. 17 So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.
Paul writes in Romans 7:17, "I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it." Now, this might sound like a justification used in deliverance ministries, but what’s actually happening here is an entirely different thing. People often interpret this passage as Paul struggling with sin, yet if we carefully read all of the surrounding text, is that really what he’s saying?
Now, think about that. Paul—a man who elsewhere describes himself as “blameless” (see Philippians) and continually calls himself a slave to Jesus Christ, not to sin. For anyone familiar with Paul’s writings, this section of Romans 7 should feel strange. The truth is, Paul’s using a well-known rhetorical device here, and this isn’t some fringe idea; it’s the scholarly interpretation backed by people who read Greek fluently. This isn’t an “oddball” theory—anyone familiar with Greek rhetoric or reading the original text would understand it.
Let’s take a moment to understand how this works. It’s called προσωποποιία, “prosopopoeia” meaning "making a face" or speaking in the voice of another person. This literary device involves taking on a different persona. Here, Paul is essentially “putting on a mask,” taking on the character of Adam to illustrate a point about sin and human struggle. He’s mocking Adam’s state, as if to say, “Oh, what a miserable person I am! I’m a slave to sin!” Paul is speaking from the perspective of fallen humanity—specifically, Adam. We see similar rhetorical techniques in the Bible- 1 Corinthians 12 is a well-known example.
If we read Romans 5–7 with this context, we realize that Paul’s contrasting Adam and Christ. So, what he’s doing in this section is dramatizing Adam’s perspective to make his point: the old nature (Adam) is enslaved by sin, whereas the new nature (Christ) is free.
Let’s prove this by reading the earlier chapters, because if we only take one verse a day or read in small sections, we miss the full picture. If we’d started back in Romans 6, we would have already seen Paul’s clear stance on sin. Take Romans 6:1: "Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?"
It’s abundantly clear: Should we keep on sinning? No, we’ve died to it! And then in Romans 6:6, Paul goes on: "We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin." How, then, could Paul be struggling with sin in the way people misinterpret? He’s plainly saying we’re no longer slaves to it.
In fact, Paul takes it even further in Romans 6:11: "So you also should consider yourselves to be dead to the power of sin and alive to God through Christ Jesus." He’s clear—do not let sin control your life.
We see an echo of this in 1 John, as it’s cohesive with the message that sin has no power over us when we are in Christ. Paul then reiterates in Romans 6:17: "Thank God! Once you were slaves of sin, but now you wholeheartedly obey this teaching we have given you." And in Romans 6:22: "But now you are free from the power of sin and have become slaves of God." Paul considers himself a “slave of Jesus Christ,” emphasizing his commitment to righteous living.
Then, after laying this groundwork in chapter 6, Paul reinforces the point in Romans 8:1:Romans 8:1 So now there is no condemnation for those who belong to Christ Jesus. 2 And because you belong to him, the power of the life-giving Spirit has freed you from the power of sin that leads to death. 3 The law of Moses was unable to save us because of the weakness of our sinful nature. So God did what the law could not do. He sent his own Son in a body like the bodies we sinners have. And in that body God declared an end to sin’s control over us by giving his Son as a sacrifice for our sins. 4 He did this so that the just requirement of the law would be fully satisfied for us, who no longer follow our sinful nature but instead follow the Spirit. 5 Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. 6 So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. 7 For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. 8 That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. 9 But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you. (And remember that those who do not have the Spirit of Christ living in them do not belong to him at all.) 10 And Christ lives within you, so even though your body will die because of sin, the Spirit gives you life because you have been made right with God. 11 The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you. And just as God raised Christ Jesus from the dead, he will give life to your mortal bodies by this same Spirit living within you. 12 Therefore, dear brothers and sisters, you have no obligation to do what your sinful nature urges you to do. 13 For if you live by its dictates, you will die. But if through the power of the Spirit you put to death the deeds of your sinful nature, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
Jesus died not only for the forgiveness of sins but also to end sin’s control over us. Did you catch that? He died for both the forgiveness of sin and to break its power over us. This is something that tends to be overlooked in many mainstream Protestant circles. They often stop at forgiveness and miss the part about ending sin’s grip on our lives. You don’t hear that as much, do you? Yet Scripture is clear. Let the Word of God speak for itself—it dismantles any misconception about Romans 7. It’s foolishness to believe that Paul was still in bondage to sin in that passage when the Word of God says otherwise. And if we read carefully and holistically, we see the truth here.
Now, let’s address a common question: Is it possible to live a life free of sin? This question often comes up, sometimes with a bit of a defensive mindset, like we’re “lawyering up.” The answer is yes and no. Are we all going to make mistakes? Absolutely. I make mistakes every day—you could ask my wife! We all do. But through the power of the Holy Spirit, we’re continually convicted and empowered to correct ourselves, to grow, and to pursue a life that aligns with God’s will.If we look carefully, Scripture shows us examples of people who are described as blameless according to the law. Paul himself says he was “blameless” (Philippians 3:6), and I don’t think he was lying. We also see Zechariah and Elizabeth—John the Baptist’s parents—described as “righteous in God’s eyes, careful to obey all of the Lord’s commandments and regulations” (Luke 1:6). So, the Bible does tell us it’s possible to live in a way that’s blameless.
Yes, it’s a difficult burden—Peter even calls the law a yoke that “neither we nor our ancestors could bear” (Acts 15:10). But the possibility of living in obedience is there, as the Bible shows us. 1 John affirms this when it says, “Those who say they live in God should live their lives as Jesus did” (1 John 2:6). And Peter agrees in 1 Peter 2:21-22: “For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. He never sinned, nor ever deceived anyone.”
We’re called to follow Jesus’ example, which includes living without sin. This might seem like a high standard, but it’s the expectation Scripture sets. It’s the appropriate response to what Jesus has done for us. To “dabble in sin” or be complacent would be an inappropriate response to His sacrifice.
In the last chapter, we looked at John 8, where Jesus says, “I tell you the truth, before Abraham was even born, I AM!” (John 8:58), declaring His divinity. But earlier in John 8, there’s a well-known story about the woman caught in adultery. You’ve probably heard it before: she was brought before Jesus, and He said, “Let the one who has never sinned throw the first stone!” (John 8:7). One by one, from the oldest to the youngest, they dropped their stones, walking away. According to the Law of Moses, she deserved the death penalty for her actions.
But that’s not the end of the story. Jesus doesn’t just let her go. In John 8:10-11, He asks her, “Where are your accusers? Didn’t even one of them condemn you?” She replies, “No, Lord.” And Jesus says, “Neither do I. Go and sin no more.”
Here we see Jesus saves this woman and then commands her to respond by living differently: “Go and sin no more.” This is a clear picture of how Jesus expects us to respond to His grace. He saves us, and then He calls us to live in a way that reflects that salvation.
This is something I’ve put a lot of thought into recently. Those who know my wife and I personally know we have a heart for people in recovery. It’s an essential part of our church’s mission. My desire is for everyone to be deeply rooted in God’s Word and filled with the Holy Spirit- but we meet everyone where they are, and we’re patient, as the Bible calls us to be. The fruit of the Spirit includes love, joy, peace, patience, and we’re called to embody that. We’re here to speak the truth, but we’re not here to hammer people. I just want to encourage everyone to keep going, keep trying, because God has been patient with me, and I strive to reflect that patience to others.
With this in mind, our church hosts and supports recovery meetings, creating a space for those who are struggling and in need of support. After every service, we share a meal to build connections and create bridges. It’s about opening doors. I appreciate programs like AA in church because they often bring people into the church who might not yet know Jesus. Christian recovery programs are wonderful, but with AA, people who aren’t believers come into our space, and we have an opportunity to build bridges with then unsaved.
My wife, who has been sober for over ten years now, began her journey in AA. At first, she viewed her higher power in the general sense AA allows, but over time she discovered that her higher power was Jesus. We are testimonies of how powerful these programs can be for people who may not have otherwise set foot in a church. People sometimes avoid church because of the judgmental attitudes they’ve encountered, or because they’ve seen hypocritical behavior. They don’t want to be part of a group that slanders, gossips, or condemns others while ignoring their own flaws. That’s why we strive to show a different example of grace.So, here’s the practical thought I want to leave with you. For years in evangelical Christianity, people have been told that it’s impossible to live a sin-free life. I’ve heard that too. But think about the premise of recovery programs for a moment. People in these meetings often choose one sin—the one that’s most dominant in their lives—and they commit to stopping it. My wife’s journey is proof of this; she’s been sober for over a decade. If you visit one of these meetings, you’ll meet people who’ve maintained sobriety for 10, 20, 30 years or more.
Now, consider this: many of these people don’t know Jesus, don’t have the Holy Spirit, and yet they’ve managed to stop this sin in their lives. They’ve simply decided to leave it behind. Meanwhile, Christians proclaim that they have the Holy Spirit to conquer sin but often struggle to break free from certain patterns. This inconsistency is part of why some people outside the church see Christianity as insincere or hypocritical.
This isn’t to say that it’s easy. Without God, it can feel like “white-knuckling” through life, facing challenges alone. But with Jesus, there’s hope. Over time, the struggle becomes less of a fight, as desires change and God brings freedom. My wife’s journey reflects this: though she’s cautious about what could trigger her, she no longer has a desire for her former life.
With the Holy Spirit’s help, we can overcome our struggles, but it starts with a willingness to pursue God’s strength daily. This journey requires honesty, prayer, and community—elements that God uses to transform us in powerful ways.
Let’s take a moment to reflect on Paul’s letters. Some of his writings, like Philippians and Ephesians, were penned from a prison cell. Now, prison isn’t a place any of us would want to end up. Understanding that Paul wrote these letters in such a harsh, confined environment gives us a new perspective on his words. His situation was far worse than most of us could imagine, yet he chose to encourage others, even in that setting.
Now, maybe some of you have been to prison, or maybe some of you haven’t. And for those who haven’t been to a physical prison, the reality is, many are living in a prison of their own making.
This prison of sin is one we can build around ourselves. I’ll be honest: I’m not sin-free. I still make mistakes, but the Holy Spirit has transformed my life, helping me avoid many of the destructive choices I once made. I wake up now with a different kind of joy, without the shame and regret that used to haunt me. For some, it may not be an addiction or substance issue; it could be something less visible, like living in a “prison of comment-checking.”
How many are stuck in a cycle of constantly checking comments online, stressing over what others think? I used to be there too, constantly checking, constantly letting myself get caught up in arguments. But that was a prison I created for myself. When I realized this, I decided to step away. And now, through the Holy Spirit, I feel free. That freedom allows me to live authentically, without the weight of others’ opinions holding me down. It’s freeing to let go of that need for validation and be genuinely at peace.
So, let me ask you—what kind of prison are you still living in? Because if people without the Spirit of God can walk away from addiction, then what excuse do we, who claim to have the Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, really have? The truth is, the doors to your cell might already be wide open—you just haven’t walked out yet.
Whether it’s addiction, shame, bitterness, self-worship, or even the digital cell of constant online validation, the gospel isn’t just about forgiveness—it’s about freedom. Jesus didn’t endure the cross and conquer the grave just to make you feel better about staying stuck. He came to break chains, not to hand you a cushion for your captivity. The Holy Spirit empowers change. So, stop waiting for a feeling, and start walking in faith. Step out of the cell. The gate is open. Freedom has a name—and His name is Jesus.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene SimcoMost Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Scriptures in brackets reflect the original biblical languages.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene SimcoMost Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.Scriptures in brackets reflect the original biblical languages.