The word for sin in the Greek language is “amartia” (ha-mar-tia). It means “to miss the mark.” Every time we sin we do miss the mark. God has set high standards for us all because He is just and He is deserving of our obedience. It is because we have all missed the mark that Jesus died. His blood covers every single sin. What happens, though, when we do sin? What are the consequences of sin? Let us see what the Bible has to say.
Separation
“But your iniquities (sin) have made a separation between you and your God.” (Isaiah 59:2a) This is by far the biggest consequence of sin. Every sin is an offense to God, and God cannot be in the presence of sin. That is why if you choose to keep committing the same sins without repentance, you will stop feeling His presence in your life. The Holy Spirit will stop speaking to you if you refuse to repent. “Do not quench the Spirit.” (1 Thessalonians 5:19) How do you quench the Spirit? The next 3 verses indicate how to not quench the Spirit. “Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.” (1 Thessalonians 5:20-22) If you take to heart and apply these 3 verses to your life, you will hear God speaking through the Holy Spirit in your life.
It is Harmful to You
Every time we sin we do miss the mark.
The following story is extreme, but it shows you how far your sin can take you. Sodom and Gomorrah were 2 of the most reprehensible cities known to man. They were so filled with sin that God could no longer hold back His wrath. God knew that Lot and his wife were dedicated to Him, so He sent 2 angels to warn them to leave before the destruction of the cities. “And as they (angels) brought them out, one said, ‘Escape for your life. Do not look back or stop anywhere in the valley. Escape to the hills, lest you be swept away.’” (Genesis 19:17) Lot understood and obeyed. He took his wife and daughters out of the city. He tried to get his future son-in-laws to flee too, but they thought he was joking. When they were out of the city, Lot’s wife could not resist the temptation to sin and look back. What happened? “But Lot’s wife, behind him, looked back and she became a pillar of salt.” (Genesis 19:26) Lot’s wife lost her life because of that one sin. God takes sin seriously, which is why we should always choose His way, instead of our own way.
It is Harmful to Others
When you choose to run your life instead of letting God guide you, catastrophic events can happen. King Herod was an evil man, full of selfish ambition. He was troubled when he heard Jesus had been born. (Matthew 2:3) He discovered where Jesus was born (Bethlehem), but God, being omniscient (all knowing) led Jesus away safely through Joseph and Mary to Egypt. Herod’s rage led to massive destruction after he realized that Jesus had been led out of Bethlehem. “Then Herod, when he saw that he had been tricked by the wise men, became furious, and he sent and killed all the male children in Bethlehem and in all that region who were two years old or under.” (Matthew 2:16) Herod’s sin cost the life of many innocent children.
Sin is a Catalyst for More Sin
As believers, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us when we do wrong (John 16:7-8), so that we can repent and be clean again. However, in the case of unbelievers or believers who refuse to repent, sin can catapult us into deeper sin. How does adultery happen? It doesn’t just happen; it is a sin-by-sin process. It starts with a look, “Wow, that person is very attractive.” (You should be focused on your spouse) If you feed that thought then it escalates, “Talking to them isn’t going to hurt anything.” (You should be thinking about your spouse) That won’t be enough. Now you are attracted physically and somewhat emotionally, “I can’t stop thinking about him/her.” (You should be thinking about your spouse). Then you are in deep water; your sexual drive will overtake you without confessing your sin. Satan knows how to reel anyone in. He has mastered it. If we don’t take sin seriously, we will end up committing a multitude of sins that started from only one thought.
It is an Eternal Death Sentence to Unbelievers
“For the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23) It is my prayer that this verse really speaks to you. A true believer will repent of their sins, but those who are rebellious are in serious trouble! Eternal death (separation from God forever) awaits all who choose to not accept Christ as their Lord and Savior. Christ, Himself, says in Matthew 25:41-46 what will happen to those who do not show Christ’s love to humanity. Those who do not feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and in prison, or give a drink to the thirsty will be left alone in utter torment for eternity. The self-seeking, proud, pompous, self-righteous and greedy people will not be in heaven unless they repent. I want you to know that if you are an unbeliever reading this article — know that God loves you and this is how I know, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9) I urge you, if you have not accepted Christ as your Lord and Savior, to wait no longer. Tomorrow is not guaranteed.
Conclusion
Sin has many consequences; more than I have mentioned. Sin is always destructive, but repentance is always constructive. Please, give your life over to Christ today! He can take everything you are, and make you into someone you never thought you could be. I am living proof! He absolutely loves you and is waiting for you to come to Him. God bless you!
Take a look at these other articles that also include topical Bible study:
Resources:
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version
“Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
YouTube video “Forgiveness” by Matthew West
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