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Why do people seem �to avoid talking about �the subject of “sin?”

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Sin Brought Disastrous Consequences to Mankind

Read Genesis 3 and discuss the consequences sin brought to mankind:

What happened to Adam and Eve after they ate the forbidden fruit?
What did Adam and Eve do when God confronted them?
What curses did God give to Adam, Eve, and the serpent?
Did God keep the promise he gave in Genesis 2:16-17?

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No sooner had they disobeyed than sin began to corrupt their hearts and their actions. They became aware of themselves and covered their nakedness. The first thing they lost was their innocence. The disastrous consequences continued. Not only did they hide their bodies from each other, but they also attempted to hide from God.

Adam did not only blame the woman, but also God by accusing, “The woman whom you gave to be with me…” Eve followed suit and blamed the serpent.

The curses God gave are the following:

Adam Eve Serpent

Ground is cursed to produce thorns Multiplied pain in childbearing Cursed above all animals

Work became difficult and toilsome To have desires contrary to her husband Cursed to slither on its belly and eat dust

Will eventually die and return to dust To be ruled over by her husband Enmity between him and the woman, his offspring and her offspring

Yes. God promised that they would die when they ate the fruit. And because Adam and Eve ate the fruit, they lost their immortality and death entered the picture.

God provided Adam and Eve with a perfect environment where they could enjoy His fellowship and blessings. They chose to disobey the commandment given to them by God. This resulted in the horrible consequences of sin and death.

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Sin Brought Total Depravity to Mankind

Read Romans 3:10-18.

What does this reveal to us about how sin �affected mankind?
What does it mean to be totally depraved?

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When Adam sinned, the consequences extended to all of his descendants. The first three chapters of the book of Romans paint a dismal picture of man’s condition.

Sin affects the entire being of all mankind.

Sin affects our mind – “no one understands” (v. 11)
Sin affects our will – “no one seeks for God” (v. 11)
Sin affects our speech – “they use their tongues to deceive … their mouth is full of curses and bitterness” (vv. 13-14)
Sin affects our conduct – “their paths are ruin and misery” (v. 16)
Sin affects our emotions – “there is no fear of God before their eyes” (v. 18)

Total depravity does not mean:

We are totally devoid of personal worth
We are incapable of doing some good
We are as bad as we could possibly be

Total depravity renders every person totally unable to earn salvation by self-effort. Depravity is not our estimation of us, but God’s estimation of us. The goodness in us only makes it possible for people to live together with other people. When God looks at us, He only sees sinfulness.

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Sin Corrupted the Nature of Humans

Read Romans 5:18-19.

According to this passage, how were we condemned and made sinners?

Read Psalm 51:4.

Who do we ultimately sin against?

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By their initial sinning, Adam and Eve corrupted and ruined their human natures. They transmitted this sinful nature to their offspring and as a result, all humans were born with a sinful nature. Like batteries energizing a flashlight, the sinful nature present in man energizes one to produce sinful actions, words, thoughts, motives, emotions, intentions, and attitudes. Through the trespass and disobedience of Adam, all people are condemned and made sinners. Because of this sinful nature, we have a tendency to choose to sin against God. Just like Adam, we disobey God’s commands and are guilty. We are condemned not only for Adam’s sin but also for our own.

All sin is directed against God. There are no “big sins” or “little sins.” Regardless of the degree of severity (according to human standards), all sin is rebellion against God. God’s standard is 100% perfection. Every sin that we commit breaks a commandment of God and is therefore punishable by death.

Our next lessons on salvation will deal with the remedy for sin.

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Remember

Memorize Romans 3:23

�“for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

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Internalize

It is part of our sinful nature to look for excuses when we make mistakes. How do you normally react when you are confronted with your sin? What do you think God expects you to do?

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Act

Because of Adam’s sin, all of us have a sinful nature inside us, giving us the tendency to disobey God. Yet each sin we commit is of our own choice. Is there a particular sin that you struggle with? What are some things you can do to avoid that sin?

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