Sin's Process
1. Temptation
2. Lust
3. Conception
4. Disobedience
5. Death
Contents
Introduction
Disobedience to God's basic laws of life has introduced mankind to sin and to its consequences, which brings us to an important question... Why have we sinned?
What temptation could there be for our human family in order that we deny and reject our only hope for an abundant life on earth and an eternal life in heaven? What has mankind been willing to trade in exchange for God's blessings?
To find the answer we refer to two texts of scripture, Genesis 3:5 and James 1:12-17.
First, the temptation...
In Genesis, chapter 3 is the story of Adam and Eve, who were residing in the Garden of Eden. At this point in their life they wanted for nothing. They owned the entire world with everything at their disposal. God had given them authority over all other living creatures. Their food was provided as well as every other essential of life. God walked with them on a daily basis as their friend. The earth was at total peace.
Second, the lust...
Adam and Eve were enjoying the abundant life...a virtual heaven on earth...but it was not enough. They wanted more. In the prime of their life a spiritual enemy came by to suggest that there was something that they still lacked. They told him that God had provided everything and that they could eat from every tree in the garden...but that God had withheld only the fruit of one tree as a test, but that all the rest were given for them to enjoy.
They told their tempter that God would punish them if they ate of the one tree. The tempter replied by mocking and challenging the integrity of God. He said that God was a liar and that they would not be punished for eating of the forbidden fruit.
It was then that the tempter suggested the one thing that Adam and Eve lacked, and which he promised that they could have by eating the forbidden fruit.
"For God knows that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods.."
The one thing that Adam and Eve did not possess was independence. They were not in control of their destiny, they were not god. All that Adam and Eve had was given to them. Nothing they possessed were of their own creation, they were dependent upon God to supply all their life's essentials, and even life itself. Adam and Eve faced the reality that they were not God, that they were mere creations of God, but they wanted more. They wanted equality and independence from God, something that human beings have been tempted with ever since.
Adam and Eve were willing to give up the abundant life in order that they would not have to answer to a higher power other than themselves. This is the most deceptive and destructive lie that satan has tempted our human family with, the lie that we have no need for God.
Human history confirms the tragedy of listening to this temptation. Life on earth no longer provides the abundance of peace, and happiness and total fulfillment that Adam and Eve once enjoyed. The consequences of our sin have made certain of that. Our human family has become corrupted by our desire to replace God with ourselves and the results dramatically confirm our weaknesses and ignorance.
To be our own god is the basis of all temptation, which leads us to
Third...the conception (conscious act of disobedience)...
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." James 1:12
The process of sin begins with a temptation that leads to "lust", or an unnatural, "illegal" desire. The next event is a conscious decision to pursue the lust even when we are aware of its "unlawfulness" in the eyes of God.
Fourth, sin (disobedience to God's law)...
Temptation, lust, conscious decision lead to the rebellious act of disobeying God's law. It is this act of disobedience that the Bible defines as "sin".
Fifth, spiritual death (separation from God)...
The ultimate consequence of sin is separation from fellowship of our Creator. God does not fellowship with sin or sinners, even though He still loves us. A rebellious sinner no longer is guided by the love and power of God. Sinners are enslaved and controlled by satan...even though they have been deceived into believing that they are in control of their own life.
"Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:16-23
The process of sin begins with temptation. Temptation leads to lust that leads to a conscious decision to obey the lusts even though they are in disobedience to God's laws. This disobedience is known as sin which separates us from
God...now and for eternity.