What is Sin?

God created everything in the world (John 1:3), except evil or sin. Sin appeared when what was created for good was twisted and used in rebellion against God. Lucifer was originally created as God’s chief musician, which is a very high calling; perhaps even the very highest of callings, for he led Heaven in praising, worshiping, and exalting God – which is the greatest good any created being can ever do. But Lucifer became puffed up with pride in his exalted position, and, forgetting his place entirely, rebelled against his Creator.

All sin is against God. It can also be against other humans and even ourselves; but, ultimately – no matter what the crime – when we sin, we sin against God, because we have taken something that He originally created for good and tried to twist it around to use against Him. Now, a Christian may not do this knowingly, but in reality – if we really stop to think about it – by doing something we know is wrong we choose to go against God, to do something of which He does not approve.

“Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am tempted by God’; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.” (James 1:13-15 NKJV) “For all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world.” (1 John 2:16 NKJV) Sin is the result of a choice or series of choices to yield to the evil desires of the old man, or “first Adam” (i.e. Adamic nature). This does not mean that all natural desires are evil. In fact, God created us with natural desires that, when properly fulfilled, can bring us much innocent pleasure. It is when we seek to fulfill these desires in ways that God did not intend that we fall into sin. These desires become evil when they are twisted and aimed in the wrong direction.