SIN
Sin is what is unacceptable to God which eventually harms us. Sin is the underlying factor behind most of the problems we face. The pleasures of sin are enjoyed for only a short period of time but its negative consequence can last a life time. Never think it is acceptable to sin when everyone around you is sinning. The bible should be your standard of living. Avoid sin whatsoever. Sin always deserves punishment. As Christians we must endeavor to please God in all we do. If sinning is helpful to us a good God would be not be concerned about it. Sin separates man from God, and from the possibility of ultimate happiness. Sin brings God’s judgment and wrath. Sin brings pleasure, contentment and fulfillment for only a short period but the consequences are severe.
THE NATURE AND COSEQUENCES OF SIN
Sin produces more sin and then spiritual death: Sin leads to other sins; we must repent of sin immediately and avoid repeating it. Repeated sin without true repentance gradually makes your conscience adjust. Each sin makes committing the next one easier. Sin takes a gradual step before maturing. We must ensure that we put aside any evil desire before it gradually matures. Sin eventually results in spiritual death, which is separation from God’s presence. Separation from God’s presence has a lot of disadvantages including vulnerability to the attacks of the enemy, struggle and sorrow. In God’s presence you would prevail.
Sin leads to hell: Revelation 21:27 “But nothing that is impure will enter the city, nor anyone who does shameful things or tells lies. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of the living will enter the city”. Nothing impure or sinful shall enter heaven. Hell is a place of eternal pain and suffering.
Sin results in unanswered prayer; "Behold, the Lord's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; nor His ear heavy, that it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2).
Sin produces pain, suffering, struggle and sickness: Jesus connects sin with sickness in certain situations in the bible: "Jesus said, ‘Rise, take up your bed and walk.' . . . Afterward Jesus found him in the temple, and said to him, ‘See, you have been made well. Sin no more, lest a worse thing come upon you'" (John 5:8, 14). Another example is in Mark 2:1-10.
The Israelites after making a golden calf were punished with a terrible disease in Exodus 32:33.
Adam and Eve were driven out of Eden because of their sin
Moses was not allowed to enter Canaan after disobeyed God by striking the rock (Numbers 20).
Israel was defeated in her battle with the small city of Ai as punishment for Achan's disobedience in stealing forbidden treasure (Joshua 7).
Israel was sentenced to wander in the wilderness for 40 years because of sin (Numbers 14).
Sin brings God’s wrath and punishment:
Judges 2:11-15 shows how the Israelites did evil in the sight of the Lord, and were defeated repeatedly in battle. Whenever Israel went out to fight, the hand of the Lord was against them to defeat them, just as he had sworn to them. They were in great distress.
The ancient world was destroyed by a great Flood as a result of the wickedness of the day (Genesis 6-8).
Sodom and Gomorrah was destroyed by fire and brimstone from heaven because of sin (Genesis 19).
Nadab and Abihu were consumed by fire which "went out from the Lord", because they offered up as a part of their worship fire not authorized by God (Leviticus 10).
