The Damage of Sin

Topic: The Damages Sin Causes to the Children of God

Before we can understand the damage sin causes to the children of God, it is important to first understand what sin is.

The Bible teaches that sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Simply put, sin is going against the will of God. James 4:17 says, "If anyone, then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them." Sin is also disobedience to God's laws and commandments.

As children of God, we are called to follow Him and obey His Word. Whenever we choose our own way instead of God's way, we sin against Him.

Let us now consider some of the damages sin causes to the children of God.

1. Sin Demotes Us Spiritually

The first thing sin does is demote us spiritually. When a believer continues to live in unresolved sin, his or her spiritual life begins to decline. Spiritual sensitivity is lost, fellowship with God becomes weak, and prayer is no longer as effective because sin has created a barrier.

At this stage, God expects His child to repent and return to Him. If there is no repentance, the person loses the position and responsibility God entrusted to them. God is never short of people to use; when one person becomes unfaithful, He raises another.

A good example is Eli, who lost his position because of disobedience and failure to honor God. God raised Samuel in his place (1 Samuel 2:27–36). Another example is King Saul, who lost his kingdom because of disobedience, and God chose David to replace him (1 Samuel 15:23–28).

2. Sin Separates Us from God

When sin remains unconfessed and unresolved, it separates us from God.

God is holy, and in Him there is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). Because He is righteous, He cannot have fellowship with persistent unrighteousness. Isaiah 59:2 says, "Your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you."

The first example is Adam and Eve. After they disobeyed God, they were driven out of the Garden of Eden and lost intimate fellowship with Him (Genesis 3:22–24).

Another example is King Saul. Because of his continued disobedience, "the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul" (1 Samuel 16:14).

We also see Balaam, who chose the path of greed and later advised Balak to lead Israel into sin. His rebellion eventually ended in destruction (Numbers 22–25; Numbers 31:8,16).

3. Sin Exposes Us to the Enemy

When sin separates us from God, it exposes us to the attacks of the enemy.

The devil knows that a believer living in sin has stepped outside God's protection. He immediately takes advantage of that situation.

This was the strategy behind Balaam's counsel to Balak. Since Israel could not be cursed while they remained faithful to God, Balaam advised Balak to entice them into sin so that they would come under God's judgment (Numbers 25; Numbers 31:16).

It is like removing the roof from a house. Once the roof is gone, the occupants are exposed to the rain and the scorching sun.

Another example is Achan. His hidden sin brought defeat upon the entire nation of Israel at Ai (Joshua 7:1–26).

Likewise, because Israel continued in sin, God allowed Eglon, king of Moab, to oppress them (Judges 3:12).

4. Sin Brings Defeat

Once we are exposed to the enemy, defeat often follows.

Throughout the Old Testament, whenever Israel turned away from God, the Bible repeatedly says that God delivered them into the hands of their enemies.

Before the battle of Ai, Israel believed victory would be easy because the city was small. They even reduced the number of soldiers they sent. However, because of Achan's sin, Israel suffered a humiliating defeat and fled before their enemies (Joshua 7).

King Saul is another example. After rejecting God's command, the Lord departed from him. Eventually, Saul and his sons were defeated and killed by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:1–6).

5. Sin Makes Us Slaves

Defeat often leads to bondage.

Spiritually, sin enslaves those who practice it. Romans 6:16 teaches that we become slaves to whatever we choose to obey.

Throughout Israel's history, whenever they abandoned God, they became servants of their enemies.

Because of their sin, Israel served the Philistines for forty years (Judges 13:1). Later, the Assyrians carried the northern kingdom of Israel into captivity because of persistent rebellion (2 Kings 17:6–23). The kingdom of Judah was also taken into exile in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar.

Sin always seeks to bring God's people into bondage.

6. Sin Delays Us and Wastes Our Time

Finally, sin delays God's purpose and wastes valuable years.

The Israelites spent seventy years in Babylonian captivity, building another nation's kingdom instead of developing their own (Daniel 9:1–2).

Another example is Israel's journey from Egypt to the Promised Land. What should have been an eleven-day journey became forty years because of unbelief and disobedience (Deuteronomy 1:2–3). An entire generation died in the wilderness without entering the land God had promised them.

Imagine what Israel could have accomplished if those years of captivity and wandering had been spent building their own nation. Every time God's people returned from captivity, they had to begin rebuilding what had been destroyed.

Sin always delays God's purpose and causes unnecessary loss.

Conclusion

Sin is one of Satan's greatest strategies against the children of God. It seeks to demote us spiritually, separate us from God, expose us to the enemy, bring defeat, lead us into bondage, delay God's purpose for our lives, waste precious years, and ultimately make us share in eternal punishment if we refuse to repent.

As children of God, we must be careful not to fall into the devil's traps. Ephesians 6:10–11 encourages us to be strong in the Lord and to put on the whole armor of God so that we can stand against the schemes of the devil.

Let us continually examine our lives, quickly confess and forsake every sin, and maintain a right relationship with God. May the good Lord help us to live holy and righteous lives that are pleasing to Him.

Amen.