By Bro. James Orhosere

In the context of this lesson, “yielding to sin” means to be overtaken or falling prey to sin.
To seek for knowledge of sin is to seek for life free from destruction which sin brings. The knowledge of sin will assist us to know the nature, causes and evil effects of sin. It will aid us to know how to overcome sin. The objectives of this study are to discuss the meaning of sin, causes, effects of sin, remedy for sin and how to overcome sin in its entirety.

WHAT IS SIN?

“Sin is lawlessness” – I Jn. 3:4, “All unrighteousness is sin (1 Jn. 5:17). What these definitions suggest is that sin is committed. A person who lies for instance is a liar and therefore a sinner. Sin therefore is not acquired by induction (close proximity to a person) not is it inherited as a result of one’s birth. Sin is committed and he who commits sin is a sinner. This type of sin is sin of commission.

Apart from lawlessness and all unrighteousness, sin is also a failure to do good. “Therefore, to him who knows how to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin” – James 4:17. This type of sin is sin of omission and is also as damning as sin of commission. Sin is also act of rebellion against God – Ezek. 20:21. It is the violation of the law of God and missing the mark or goal God sets before us. When we fall short or go beyond that, we sin. Sin is referred to by various names in the bible: it is called “iniquity”; it is called ‘transgression

CAUSES OF SIN

1. The Principal Cause of Sin is the Devil: He caused Adam and Eve to sin in the garden of Eden. Ever since then he has not stopped to lure people into sin (1 Pet. 5:8). The bible describes him as a big liar whose only stock in trade is to make people commit sin.
2. Another Cause of Sin Is Lust of the Flesh, Eye, or The Pride of Life – James 1:15,16. We often times enticed by the ‘beauty’ of the world. All of these lead us into the sin of fornication or adultery.
3. Evil Heart of Man – Matt. 15:19. Naturally the heart of man is evil.
4. Evil Companionship. The companion you keep is a potential cause of sins. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed” – Prov. 13:20, 1 Cor. 15:33.
5. Indifference to What God Says. Indifference to what God says and what goes around you is a possible cause of sin. Indifference easily leads to careless living. It is a sure source of sin of ignorance. Let us strive to know what God wants us to know. This we can achieve by reading the bible and hear what is taught in the gather of the saints.

SOME PROPERTIES OF SIN

1. Sin entices – James 1:12 – 16, Heb. 12:1
2. Sin is deceptive – Heb. 3:13
3. Sin enslaves – Jn. 8:34, Rom. 6:16-18
4. Sin brings shameful reproach – Prov. 14:34
5. Sin has momentary pleasure, enjoyable for a season – Heb. 11:25
6. Sin is the sting of death – 1 Cor. 15:56
7. Sin can be forgiven – 1 Jn. 1:6-9, 2:1-2, Rom. 3:7

EFFECTS OF SIN

1. Sin brings about spiritual death (Rom. 5:12).

   When Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, their sin caused spiritual separation between them and God. They thus personally suffered spiritual death, that is, they were spiritually dead because of their separations from God. Every person today is spiritually separated from God because of his/her own personal sin. Adam was personally responsible for the guilt of his own sin. We are also personally responsible for our own sin – Isa. 59:2.

2. Sin prevents God from hearing our prayers

   Sinners are several millions of miles away from God who is very close, owing to our sins. In Jn. 9:31 it is said that the prayer of a sinner is an abomination to God. It goes without saying that every child of God should endeavour to live a righteous life for God to grant his requests.

3. Loss of Eternity

   The most serious of all the effects is the loss of the heavenly place Jesus has gone to prepare for us all – Jn. 14:2. According to Jesus what shall it profit a man if he gains the whole world and lose his soul.
   Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue, if there is anything praise worthy, meditate on these things – Phil. 4:8.