Biblical Response to Sin

Christian discussions about addressing sin usually begin with explaining forgiveness and atonement. Explaining and proclaiming Jesus' sacrifice of his own life to pay the penalty you owe. Its a theological/evangelical perspective that addresses the judicial and psychological ramifications of sin.

1. How we escape judgment and condemnation from a righteous God who governs the universe and who tells us the penalty for sin is permanent death

2. How we escape our feelings of guilt within our mind, which we have because we have sinned and fallen short of what God our Father intends for us

Repentance is a change to our thinking and behavior... a less theoretical and more action oriented part of a fully biblical response to sin. Repentance begins in the mind but true repentance will make itself known in the observable world. You will see the results of it and others will see the results of it.

Today, we are going to spend the rest of our time talking about the third important step: removal of that which causes or leads to sin.

We are told in no uncertain terms that our biblical response to sin must also identify, seek out and remove influences and situations which provoke, entice, and facilitate sin.

1. Forgivenss addresses sins that have already occurred. It takes place in the spiritual realm.

2. Repentance looks both past and future. Godly sorrow for what is passed and Godly determination to overcome what is ahead. It takes place in the mental realm as well as the realm of action and things.

3. Removal of that which leads us into sin... eg. through deception, or enticement... looks to the future. A proactive step for addressing sins that have not yet even been committed.

Repentance and forgiveness are mostly passive... reacting to sin when it happens (as it inevitably will)... then dealing with it either after the fact, or in the moment.Whereas removal of that which causes, entices, or leads to sin is a biblically mandated proactive stance against future sin.

If there are people, situations, things out there that lead to sin... does that meant I am in some way less responsible for my own personal sin? Can I get off the hook saying "the devil made me do it"... "its the fault of a corrupt society"... "I was born this way"..."she seduced me".

The bible clearly tells us the individual that sins dies... they are held responsible for their sin. They must repent, they must have their penalty paid by Christ. However, God also holds those who entice or lead others into sin accountable and subject to punishment or correction.

Matthew 18:6-7 indicates that God will deal judicially no only on the one who commits the sin, but also on the one who causes (or contributes) to the sins of another. Then Verses 8 - 9 broaden the instruction to include sources besides other people. (werner’s street).

Inanimate - things, objects, situations, circumstances, that trigger the sequence of sinful thinking... leading to sinful behavior eg. money, idols, images, locations that bring back memories etc. Get rid of them, cut them out of your life.

Animate  - persons who actively entice, deceive, or encourage sin... who causes another to stumble. eg. other human beings, Satan, demons. Cast them out of your life as well, and know that God will deal with them.

Proverbs 1:10 enticement is considered sinful behavior (therefore punishable)

Deuteronomy 13:1-11 goes on to apply to entire towns or villages. The false prophet, friend, family member, neighboring village have committed a personal sin and have brought punishment upon themselves... but God's concern goes beyond the sins of the individual. He is concerned about stopping the spread of evil. "you must purge the evil from among you".

Deuteronomy 17:7, 19:19, 21:21, 22:21-24, 24:7 in cases of idolatry, rebellion, legal corruption, sexual misbehavior, the community is instructed to punish the evil doer according God's criteria... and each time we find the key phrase "you must purge the evil from among you". All these types of sinful behavior were a double danger because they would lead others into sin.

The Canaanites had to be forcefully and decisively removed from the entire land... because their sinful behavior would contaminate Israel and lead them into, or entice them to sin.

The Atonement service outlined in Leviticus 16 gives us an annual reminder of this. Not only does Israel seek forgiveness and cleansing from sins committed through ignorance and deception... (the blood of the goat that is slain)... they were to acknowledge the source of these sins and uncleanness and get the source of contamination out from among them. Then there is a goat that does not die to pay the penalty for sin instead it is cast out.

If what is evil (unclean) touches what is holy (clean)... the contact does not change the unclean thing so that it becomes holy and clean... so it is with sinful situations, sinful companions, sinful influences etc. your contact with them works the same way. They are more likely to ruin you than you are to have a positive impact on them.

Objection: but Jesus ate with sinners so that He might spread God's goodness and offer salvation to them.... So, aren't I being like Jesus? Shouldn't I shine my light in dark places? 1) beware, you are not Jesus. You do not have His strength to confront temptation 2) Jesus didn't sit with them to enjoy Himself, He was there to teach God's truth... is that really what you are doing?

1 Corinthians 15:33Paul makes a brief quotation not from the old testament but from a well known Greek proverb from the playwright Menander. Implying that this principle is so obvious, you don’t need a special revelation from God to “get it”.

Also, others can also interpret your mere presence as a form of approval.

Romans 1:32 encouraging sin through approval. One of the works of sinfulness.

God holds people accountable not only for their own sins but for the sins and moral corruption they spread. He has a plan for both. Repentance and atonement for the one who sins... and proactive removal and avoidance of contact with that which leads to sin.

The principle is found in both the new testament and in the old. We also have an annual reminder of the need for both a reactive and proactive stance towards sin... pictured in the atonement ceremony of Leviticus 16.

Israel was to be a community upholding the standards of holiness. It was a public duty as we have already discussed. However, individual members of Israel had a personal responsibility to practice physical separation from sin.

Leviticus 19:17 notice that this is part of the how to love your neighbor chapter.

Proverbs 4:14-15 practical wisdom included this very personal warning

Psalm 1:1 active distancing would be a source of blessing

Ezekiel 18:1-4 God's judgment of the nation is not about you... you are responsible for your own sin

Individual responsibility is at the forefront of moral instruction in the new testament. We have read some of Jesus instruction “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out… If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off.” Found in both Matthew 5 and then repeated in Matthew 18 - repetition means this is important. We have also read what Paul said about the company we keep.

2 Timothy 2:22, 3:1-5 The context here is people who call themselves Christian perhaps even the Church of God

2 Corinthians 6:14 the context here is avoidance of temples of pagan idolotry…  

Avoidance and removal is part of our biblical strategy for overcoming sin not yet committed.

The people of Israel had a responsibility to confront sin in their personal life and as a community. Deuteronomy and Leviticus spell this out as have read. New covenant believers also must confront sin in their personal life and as part of a community.

We do not believe that God's true church have ever controlled the levers of powers in the kingdoms of this world. The community I am speaking of is the body of Christ, the Church of God. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13... back up and read verse 6.

Paul is quoting those same verses in Deuteronomy we read earlier.

Sin spreads... if the sin of perverse sexual behavior was not removed in Corinth it would appear as tacit approval... others would be enticed to explore beyond the boundaries of Godly sexual behavior. So, the Church has to get involved. This was not a private sin… it was out in the open.

1 Thessalonians 5:14 laziness, living off the generosity of others without offering anything in return, refusal to conduct yourself according to a Godly pattern and doing it in a way that affects others (this could include Sabbath observance, outbursts of wrath, gossip). We try to administer these responsibilities of removal with patience... but not falling into the error of appearing to approve as did Corinth.

Romans 14:13 you also have your part to play.

We do not do this to show ourself off as having achieved purity, or flawless holiness. We cannot boast of such accomplishments. Notice carefully the connection made in 1 Thessalonians 5:4... we do this to protect the weak... to encourage those who are lead into doubt... and as we see in Corinthians 5 to bring about the restoration of the offending party.

Titus 3:10-11 here we find the example of sewing the seeds of doubt through controversies over scripture (the ministry of the Church is keeping this from you)... but the pattern is applicable for all situations previously mentioned. Warn, warn again, then remove.

Ephesians 5:3-11 - the Church is responsible for exposing error... shine a light on that which causes sin. The Church does not have the authority to remove influences that can lead to sin which abound in the society and culture around us.  But we can try to help you appreciate the threat (that's an area where I think we can do a better job). In those cases where removal is not an option the biblical instruction to you is to avoid that which might entice you to sin.

We are instructed to remove our self from situations, relationships, pictures, memories, things which might lead us into sin. But we are obligated to take a proactive stance to protect ourself from that which leads to sin…  and to protect those in this community who are vulnerable. Anything less is to take the blood of Christ for granted.