Sin

Sin

–Disobeying the commands God

God created mankind perfect, but our first parents, Adam and Eve, rebelled and disobeyed the command God gave them. The sin of Adam is passed down through the whole human race, and the root of sin is present at conception. This “original sin” leads to actual sins, as we follow our natural inclination to do wrong.

We are held responsible for our sins and will have to account for them to God. The wages of sin is paid in death. Jesus, who had no sin, paid the price for our sin by His death on the cross. If we confess our sin, God will forgive us, give us the gift of life over death and consider us as righteous in His sight.

  1. SIN is a theme of:
    1. Genesis — Gen. 6:5
    2. Judges — Jdg 21:25
    3. Isaiah — Isa 1:4
    4. Malachi — Mal 1:8
    5. Romans — Rom 2:12
    6. 1 John — 1 John 3:3-10
  2. Words for sin
    1. Transgression — Psalms 32:1-6
    2. Iniquity — Ps 51:2.9
    3. Wickedness — Gen. 6:5
    4. Evil — Gen 8:21
    5. Rebellion — Exodus 34:7
    6. Uncleanness — Lev 16:16
    7. Disobedience — Jos 22:22
    8. Wrongdoing — 1 Sa 24:11
    9. Guilt — Isa 1:4
    10. Unrighteousness — 1 John 1:8-10
    11. Lawlessness — 1Jn 3:4
    12. Depravity — 2Pe 2:19
    13. Faults — Ps 19:12
  3. The origin and extent of sin
    1. Original sin
      1. Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s command — Ge 3:1-7
      2. Their sin passed down to all humans — Ro 5:12,15; 1Co 15:22
    2. Present extent of sin
      1. There is sin in everyone — Ps 14:2-3; Ro 3:10-20-23
      2. Present already at conception — Ps 51:5
      3. Permeates to the heart of people — Gen. 6:5; Jer 17:9; Mt 15:18-20
      4. Christ alone was without sin — 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; 1Pe 2:22; 1Jn 3:5
  4. God and human sin
    1. His negative reaction
      1. He is grieved over sin — Ge 6:6
      2. He is angry over sin — Ps 78:19-21,56-59; Jn 3:36; Ro 1:18
      3. He hates sin — Ps 5:5; Pr 6:16-19
      4. He punishes sin — Ge 3:15-19; Isa 3:11-26; Am 3:2
    2. His positive reaction
      1. He sent his Son to die for sinners — Jn 3:16; Ro 5:8; 1Jn 4:10
      2. He forgives sin — Ex 34:6-7; 1Jn 1:9
      3. He removes sin far away — Ps 103:8-12
      4. He sweeps away sin — Isa 44:22
      5. He hurls sin away — Mic 7:19
      6. He puts sin behind his back — Isa 38:17
      7. He no longer remembers our sin — Jer 31:34
  5. Christ and human sin
    1. He was sinless — 2Co 5:21; Heb 4:15; Heb 7:26; 1Pe 2:22; 1Jn 3:5
    2. He paid the penalty for sin — Ro 4:25; 8:3; Col 2:13-14; 1Pe 2:24
    3. He forgives sin — Mk 2:5-12; Lk 7:48; Col 1:13-14
    4. His blood redeems us from sin — Eph 1:7
    5. His blood cleanses us from sin — 1Jn 1:7
    6. He takes away the sin of the world — Jn 1:29; 1Jn 2:2
  6. Humans and their sin
    1. How has sin affected us?
      1. We are responsible for our sin — Eze 18:10-18
      2. We are accountable to God for sin — Jer 17:10; 2Co 5:10; Rev 20:12
      3. We are subject to death because of sin — Ge 2:17; Ro 6:23; Jas 1:15
      4. We cannot atone for our own sin — Ps 49:7; Mt 16:26
    2. What should we do with our sin?
      1. We should confess it. — Ps 32:1-5; Pr 28:13; 1Jn 1:9
      2. We should repent of it — Eze 18:30-31; Ac 3:19-20
      3. We should turn from it — Ps 34:14; Isa 1:16; 3Jn 11
      4. We should hate it — Ps 97:10; Am 5:15; Ro 12:9
      5. We should throw it off — Heb 12:1
      6. We should fight against it — Eph 6:12-13; Heb 12:4
    3. What are the blessings after confession?
      1. We are forgiven our sin — Ps 32:5; Ac 2:38, 10:43
      2. God considers us righteous — Ro 4:5-8; Php 3:9
      3. We are purified from sin — 1Jn 1:9
      4. We are freed from sin Ro 6:7, 18, 22; Rev 1:5
      5. We are no longer slaves to sin — Ro 6:6,17
      6. We do not continue a life of sin — 1 Jn. 3:3-10; 5:18
      7. We are dead to sin — Ro 6:2,11
      8. We pass from death to life — Ro 6:23

    Related Studies:
    God’s creation of humanity
    The results of sin
    Evil lodges in the human heart
    Everyone guilty before God
    Accountability to God for our sins
    Sin brings death
    Jesus’ perfect obedience to His Father
    Purpose of the Cross
    Redemption through blood
    Individual confession of sin
    God forgives sins
    Life is found in Christ
    God counts us righteous

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    Gods creation of humanity Notes:

    Gen. 1:27; 2:7; 2:18-23; Job 10:8-12; 33:4; Ps. 8:5; 100:3; Isa. 45:12; Mal. 2:10; Acts 17:26-29; 1 Cor. 11:12; 15:45.

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    The results of sin Notes:

    Gen. 3:1-9; Ps. 14:2-3; 51:5; Rom. 5:12-19; 7:5; 8:20-22; 1 Cor. 15:21-22; Eph. 2:2-3; 1 Tim. 2:12-14.

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    Evil lodges in the human heart Notes:

    Gen. 6:5; Prov. 4:23; Eccl. 9:3; Jer. 16:12; 17:9; Mt. 15:18-20; Lk. 6:45.

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    Everyone guilty before God Notes:

    1 Kings 8:46; Ps. 14:2-3; 69:5; 130:3; Prov. 20:9; Isa. 64:6-7; Rom. 3:9-18; 3:23; 11:32; Gal. 3:22.

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    Accountability to God for our sins Notes:

    Job 34:11; Ps. 62:12 Jer. 17:10 Eze. 18.13; Mt. 16:27; Rom. 3:19; 14:12; 2 Cor. 5:10; 1 Pet. 4:5; Rev. 20:12.

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    Sin brings death Notes:

    Gen. 2:17; Deut. 24:16; Prov. 10:16; Jer. 17:9; 31:29-30; Ezek. 18:4; Rom. 5:12; 6:23; 8:13; Eph. 2:1; Col. 2:13; James 1:15.

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    Jesus’ perfect obedience to his Father Notes:

    Mt. 26:39; Jn. 4:34; 6:38; Rom. 5:19; 2 Cor. 5:21; Phil. 2:7-8; Heb. 4:15; 10:5-9; 1 Pet. 2:22; 1 Jn. 3:5.

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    Purpose of the Cross Notes:

    Isa. 53:5-8; Mt. 20:28; Jn. 3:14-15; 12:31-33; Rom. 3:22-26; 5:6-8; Gal. 3:13-14; Eph. 2:14-16; Col. 2:13-15; Titus 2:14; Heb. 9:23-28;1 Pet. 2:24; 1 Jn. 2:2.

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    Redemption through blood Notes:

    Ex. 12:12-13; Lev. 16:14-17; Rom. 3:25; 5:9; Eph. l:7; Col. 1:20; Heb. 9:12-22; 13:12; 1 Pet. 1:18-19; 1 Jn. 1:7; Rev. 1:5-6; 5:9.

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    Individual confession of sin Notes:

    Lev. 5:5-6; Num. 5:5-7; 2 Sam. 12:13; Ps. 32:5; 51:1-9; Prov. 28:13; Mt. 3:6; 6:12; Acts 3:19; 19:18; 1 Jn. 1:9.

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    God forgives sins Notes:

    Ex. 34:6-7; Ps. 103:8-12; Isa. 38:17; 43:25; Micah 7:18-19; Mk. 2:1-11; Lk. 7:41-48; Acts 3:19; 10:43 1 Jn. 1:9.

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    Life is found in Christ Notes:

    Jn. 1:4; 3:36; 10:10; 11:25; 14:6; Acts 3:15; Rom. 5:17-18; Rom. 8:11; 2 Tim. 1:10; Heb. 7:16; 1 Jn. 1:1-2; 5:11-12.

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    God counts us righteous Notes:

    Isa. 45:25; Jer. 33:16; Rom. 3:21-22, 24; 4:5-8; 5:18-19; 1 Cor. 1:30; 2 Cor. 5:21; Gal. 2:16; Phil. 3:8-9; Col. 1:22.

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    Gen. 6:5 Notes:

    The Wickedness Of Man

    Gen. 6:5 (KJV) And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

    Gen. 6:5 Note: What a terrible thing. Mankind, whom God had created in glory and made to fellowship with, had degenerated to the point that everything inside them was evil. The imagination of the thoughts of their hearts was evil continually. The unregenerate human heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jer. 17:9). Those who believe that mankind is basically good at their core are at odds with what God’s Word teaches (see my notes at Rom. 3:10 and 2 Tim. 3:13).

    The New Testament Greek word that was translated “imagination” in Luke 1:51 is “DIANOIA,” and it means “deep thought” (Strong’s Concordance). That same word was translated “understanding” in Eph. 4:18. The Hebrew word that was translated “imagination” here in Gen. 6:5 is “YETSER,” and it means “conception (i.e. purpose)” (Strong’s Concordance). The imagination of man is literally the womb of man, where all actions are conceived. There can be no real transformation of actions without it first starting in the imagination. The corruption of man had penetrated all the way to the fountain; therefore, all the water that proceeded from that source was bad.

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    1 John 3:3-10 Notes:

    We Do Not Continue A Life Of Sin

    1 John 3:3-10 (NKJV) And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. [4] Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. [5] And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin. [6] Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. [7] Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. [8] He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. [9] Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God. [10] In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor [is] he who does not love his brother.

    1 John 3:3 Note: The two previous verses have exalted what God has already done for us in the spirit and what will happen to us in our souls and bodies at the coming of the Lord. Those who have experienced this salvation and have the hope of the future salvation of our completion purify themselves. This verse says that is true of everyone who has this hope. Therefore, those who act ungodly on purpose show no evidence that they have truly been born again.

    I do believe that a Christian can live a sinful life and still be truly born again because of wrong, legalistic teaching. 1 Corinthians 15:56 says, “…the strength of sin is the law.” Romans 7:8-11 says, “But sin, taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead. For I was alive without the law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died. And the commandment, which was ordained to life, I found to be unto death. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me.” But regardless of how badly a true believer sins, his heart’s desire is to live for God. He may not know how to accomplish that, and his wrong religious teaching may even drive him to sin; but he doesn’t want to live that way. The very fact that a person is now disgusted with the sins that he used to enjoy is a token of the saving grace of God in his heart.

    1 John 3:4 Note: Since sin is the transgression of the Law, what happens when there is no Law? The answer is found in Romans 5:13. This is not to say there is no sin, but sin is not imputed when there is no Law.

    1 John 3:5 Note: The only part of us that is truly in Him is our spirits. Our born-again spirits are sinless and pure and sealed until the day of redemption, so no sin we commit penetrates that seal (Ephesians 1:13-14).

    This is speaking of our born-again spirits and is not saying that we as true Christians can’t sin. That would void the scriptures in this very epistle in 1 John 1:8-10 and 2:1-2.

    1 John 3:6 Note: This verse needs a little interpretation. Romans 14:23 says, “For whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” All of us would have to say we have not operated in faith. James 2:9 says, “But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.” So anytime we treat people differently based on carnal things or if we are afraid of people, we commit sin.

    I don’t think any Christians can really defend the position that they have never sinned since their conversion. In fact, the Apostle John in this very epistle said, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 1:8-2:1).

    So the emphasis in this verse must be on “abiding in him.” When we abide in Him or live in the spirit, there is no sin. Our spirits cannot sin. It is only our flesh that sins. Those who say they are abiding in Him and are still living in sin are liars.

    1 John 3:7 Note: Jesus said in Matthew 5:20 that our righteousness had to be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees. They acted right outwardly, but Jesus revealed that it was only an act. They were not doing the will of God from the heart (Matthew 23:23-28). Jesus revealed that righteousness is actually an attitude of the heart that expresses itself in outward actions (Matthew 5:21-22 and 5:27-29).

    Therefore, this verse has to be speaking of more than just acting properly. Righteousness is a heart attitude that expresses itself through actions.

    1 John 3:8 Note: On the surface, this scripture is very problematic. It appears to be saying that anyone who sins is not truly born again. Yet that contradicts the message of the whole Bible, the message of Jesus, the context of this very book (1 John 1:8-10 and 2:1-2), and common sense. If that were true, then no one could be saved. There are two basic approaches to explaining this verse, in a manner consistent with other well-established truths of Scripture.

    First, some people believe this is speaking of committing sin habitually, not a single sin but a habitual lifestyle of sin. The thought is that a drunkard might sin a few times after true salvation, but if he continues to drink, that is a sign that he is not truly born again. I could agree with that illustration to a degree, but what if you use the sin of gluttony? Gluttony is put in the same list as drunkenness (Proverbs 23:21). It is sin, and it is a habitual sin. You can’t get fat just overeating one time. Are you willing to say that any fat person can’t be saved? No one could meet this standard.

    Others believe this is actually referring to those who sin as being under the influence of the devil. I would have to believe this is the meaning here to be compatible with other scriptural truths. The born-again spirit of a believer cannot sin (see my note at 1 John 3:9). Therefore, anytime a Christian sins, it is not an action under the control or influence of the born-again spirit but of the flesh or direct demonic influence. Our sin doesn’t proceed from God or the part of us that has been born again by God. It is either the direct influence of Satan or the flesh that has been programmed by Satan. That would lead perfectly into the next statement of this verse, that “the devil sinneth from the beginning.” This is saying that the devil was the first to sin. He introduced sin to the world, and all sin ultimately comes from him. Satan is the author and finisher of sin.

    Jesus was manifest to destroy the works of the devil, which are sin. So, when a Christian is under the influence of God or their born-again spirit, they cannot sin. But when they do sin, they can’t attribute that to God. That is yielding to the influence of the devil. Therefore, he that commits sin is of the devil or under the influence of the devil at the time the sin was committed.

    1 John 3:9 Note: This is not saying that a Christian does not sin. That is contrary to many scriptural truths and the context of this very letter (1 John 1:8-10 and 2:1-2).

    The part of us that is born of God, or born again, is the spirit. That born-again spirit was created in righteousness and true holiness (Ephesians 4:24). It is identical to Jesus (1 John 4:17 and 1 Corinthians 6:17), for it is the spirit of God’s Son (Galatians 4:6). Anyone who doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ isn’t truly born again (Romans 8:9). And immediately upon being born again and receiving this new spirit, we are sealed, vacuumed packed, by the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13) so that born-again spirit can never be contaminated again.

    It is this born-again spirit that cannot sin (this verse). When we are walking in the spirit, or being led by the spirit, we cannot sin. Those who sin are not being led by their spirit. Either they don’t have a spirit that has been born from above or they aren’t following the leading of the part of them that is in relationship with God. God will never lead anyone into sin.

    Therefore, the point of this verse is to say that any time we sin, we are not under the influence of God through our born-again spirits, because the born-again spirit cannot sin and will never lead us to sin. So, anyone crediting their sin to God or the leading of their born-again spirit is lying.

    1 John 3:10 Note: We can’t literally see into the heart of any person. Only God knows a person’s heart. But their actions do give us an indication of what’s in their heart because “as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7). That is not to say that a true Christian will never do anything wrong (see my note at 1 John 3:9), but a changed heart will produce changed actions. Those who say they have relationship with God and have no fruit to verify that, are just deceiving themselves, for “by their fruits ye shall know them” (Matthew 7:20).

    Therefore, as this verse is saying, our actions are an indication of whether or not our hearts have been changed. But there has to be some discernment here. The scribes and Pharisees lived very holy lives outwardly. They fasted twice each week (Luke 18:12). They paid tithes down to the spices in their gardens (Matthew 23:23). But their hearts were wicked. They were only acting this way because of the advantage their works gave them over other people and the deception that their actions earned them favor with God.

    How can we accurately evaluate the condition of someone’s heart? It’s not just religious actions but actions of love. The Pharisees only loved themselves. They had holy outward actions, but they didn’t love people. They only loved themselves (Matthew 23:5-12). God’s kind of love is just the opposite. God’s kind of love will also cause acts of holiness (1 Corinthians 13:4-8), but those outward actions will be motivated by an inward love for God and others. This is how you truly know those who are of God and those who are of the devil. It’s by their love one for another (John 13:34-35).

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    Psalms 32:1-6 Notes:

    The Joy of Forgiveness

    Psalms 32:1-6 (NKJV) BLESSED [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, [Whose] sin [is] covered. [2] Blessed [is] the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit [there is] no deceit. [3] When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long. [4] For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [5] I acknowledged my sin to You, And my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” And You forgave the iniquity of my sin. ?Selah [6] For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.

    Psalms 32:1 Note: This was quoted in Romans 4:6-8 and applied toward the New Covenant of grace. So, David was not speaking about something he had experienced but something he saw by faith that would be coming.

    In a sense, God forgave Old Testament saints on credit. The blood of bulls and goats could never really take away sins (Hebrews 10:4). Only the perfect sacrifice of Jesus could do that (Hebrews 9:12). We have been made perfect and complete in our spirits (Hebrews 10:10, 14; and 12:23), which the O.T. saints never were.

    So, David was prophesying about the better covenant that was to come (Hebrews 8:6). His sins were not forgiven as ours are. They were covered, but the sin nature remained (Romans 6:4, 6). Praise God for our New Covenant.

    Psalms 32:2 Note: When Paul quoted this verse in Romans 4:8 he said, “Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin.” Notice the emphasis on WILL NOT. The Lord doesn’t only forgive us of past and present sins, but He has already dealt with our future sins (Hebrews 9:12, 15; 10:10, 14). Some people don’t believe that is possible, but they better believe it is possible. Jesus only died for sins once, 2,000 years ago. If He can’t forgive future sins, then no one today can be forgiven since all of our sins were future at that time.

    Notice that David made special mention that this perfection is in the spirit. (See 2 Corinthians 5:17 and Hebrews 12:23.)

    Psalms 32:3 Note: The Amplified Bible translates this verse as “When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.” So, the Amplified Bible presents this as how David felt before he confessed his sin.

    Psalms 32:4 Note: David was describing how he felt before he confessed his sin (see my note at Psalms 32:3). This is describing the conviction of God on an unrepentant heart.

    The phrase “my moisture is turned into the drought of summer” is followed by the word “Selah.” Selah means “pause, and calmly think of that” (Amplified Bible). Resisting the conviction of God is like being in a desert. It’s unbearable and will lead to death if we can’t get out of it.

    Psalms 32:5 Note: David described how miserable he was before he confessed his sin. Here, he confessed his sin, and there was immediate forgiveness. This is a great lesson for us all (1 John 1:9).

    What is the difference between “iniquity” and “sin”? The Hebrew word that was translated “iniquity” here is “‘AWON.” It was translated “iniquity” 220 times in the Old Testament. It means “perversity, i.e. (moral) evil” (Strong’s Concordance). The first use of ‘AWON in the Bible was in Genesis 4:13, where it was translated “punishment.”

    The Hebrew word “khat-taw-aw'” which was translated “sin” in this verse, means “an offence (sometimes habitual sinfulness), and its penalty, occasion, sacrifice, or expiation; also (concrete) an offender” (Strong’s Hebrew Dictionary).

    Exodus 34:7 uses the words “iniquity,” “transgression,” and “sin” in the same verse as is done here.

    Psalms 32:6 Note: David had described how miserable he was when he didn’t yield to the conviction of the Lord (Psalms 32:3-4). Then he confessed his sin and received immediate forgiveness from the Lord (Psalms 32:5). Therefore, the godly should learn, like David did, to confess their sin and receive forgiveness.

    Notice David said the godly will have to pray in a time when the Lord may be found. We cant take the Lord’s willingness to forgive for granted. The Lord doesn’t have to offer us unlimited opportunities for forgiveness. We can’t come to the Lord unless He draws us (John 6:44). If the Lord quits dealing with our hearts, we are doomed.

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    Exodus 34:7 Notes:

    Generational Curse

    Exodus 34:7 (NKJV) “keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing [the guilty,] visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to the third and the fourth generation.”

    Exodus 34:7 Note: The Lord is merciful, gracious, and long-suffering but not forever suffering. His holiness demands that justice be served. He may defer His judgment, but it will come. For those who have accepted Jesus’ payment for sin, there will be no judgment except to receive rewards (1 Corinthians 3:12-15). Jesus drew all judgment to Himself (John 12:32). But for the ungodly, who refuse to receive Jesus as their substitute, a day of judgment is coming that will be terrifying for them.

    This curse on the children of those who sinned was later rescinded in Ezekiel 18:2-4 and Jeremiah 31:29-30. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law (Galatians 3:13).

    Ezekiel 18:2-3 (NKJV) “What do you mean when you use this proverb concerning the land of Israel, saying: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge’? [3] “[As] I live,” says the Lord GOD, “you shall no longer use this proverb in Israel.

    Jeremiah 31:29-30 (NKJV) “In those days they shall say no more: ‘The fathers have eaten sour grapes, And the children’s teeth are set on edge.’ [30] “But every one shall die for his own iniquity; every man who eats the sour grapes, his teeth shall be set on edge.

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    1 John 1:8-10 Notes:

    People Who Deny Sin

    1 John 1:8-10 (NKJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.

    1 John 1:8 Note: “If we say that we have no sin,” John uses “sin” as a noun rather than a verb (“we do not sin”) to emphasize sin as fundemental of human nature. There are those who affirm that sin does not exist as principle or power in human nature, or those who say the evil actions they commit are not really sin. We see this all around us. People walking about blind and unaware that they need a Saviour. They are self-deceived and the word of God is not in them.

    Believers must be aware that the flesh or sinful nature is a constant threat in our lives and that we must always be putting to death its evil deeds through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us. Our faith is constantly threatened with a very subtle undermining that removes all vestiges of vital Christianity. And if we are satisfied to just be passive it will leave us dull, dead, and useless. So this letter of John’s has tremendous significance for us.

    1 John 1:9 Note: This begs the questions “If forgiveness and cleansing are conditional on confessing our sins, then what happens if we don’t confess our sins? Are they not forgiven? And if they aren’t forgiven, then what are the consequences of that?” The strictest interpretation of this would lead to the belief that if there is any unconfessed sin in our lives, we would not be forgiven. Although some have interpreted this verse to say just that, this certainly is not what this means.

    The word “confess” was translated from the Greek word “HOMOLOGEO.” This was a compound word made up of the Greek words “HOMOU” and “LOGOS.” HOMOU means “the same” (Strong’s Concordance), as in “homosexual.” LOGOS means “something said” (Strong’s Concordance). So, HOMOLOGEO means “to speak the same thing” (Vine’s Expository Dictionary). When we sin, we are not saying, thinking, or doing the same thing as the Lord. But when we confess our sins, we are turning from our way of thinking and agreeing with the Lord that what we have done was wrong.

    Our sin doesn’t separate us from the Lord as under the Old Testament (Isaiah 59:1-2). All of our sins have already been paid for (see my notes at Hebrews 9:12, 15; 10:10, 14; and 12:23). But as long as we walk in unconfessed sin, Satan has an inroad into our lives (see my note at Romans 6:16). We need to confess that sin, walk away from the thinking that got us into that mess, and agree with God that what we did was wrong. Then the forgiveness that is already a reality in our spirits becomes a reality in our flesh. This cleanses us from all the attack of the devil that we opened ourselves up to.

    Satan can work in the flesh of believers who have unconfessed sin. Satan cannot exist in the flesh of believers who have confessed their sins and understand and believe they are totally forgiven and cleansed from all unrighteousness. See my note at Romans 5:21.

    So, the confession of sins encouraged here is not for our eternal salvation, but to rid us of the inroad Satan gains into our lives through our sins. In a sense, Satan has a right to afflict us when we cooperate with him through sin (Romans 6:16). Confessing that what we did was sin and repenting of that action closes a door on the devil and opens the door to the Lord.

    1 John 1:10 Note: How could anyone claim they have not sinned? The only way I can understand this is that they would have to be taught this and enter into deception. Left to ourselves, our own hearts would convict us of all ungodliness and unrighteousness (Romans 1:18-19). It would have to be some religious doctrine like an extreme and errant teaching on grace that would convince people they are free to live any way they please. Those who adopt this position make God (and His Word) a liar because this is in clear violation of biblical teaching (Romans 3:23).

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