Sin is not the number one topic we go to in conversations. As Followers of Christ, we know we are sinners, but we sure don’t want to talk about it. We don’t want sin to be our identity. Actually, sin is not our identity but Christ is. However, if we tell others about our sin, we have concern they will think less of us. There is a time to share and a time to not share. We need to take advantage of our brothers’ and sisters’ love in covering us with prayer. The problem—we don’t! It takes a great deal of humility to share when it is advantageous to others. Remember, Paul called himself the chief of sinners. He spent a number of verses in Romans 7 speaking about doing what he doesn’t want to do and then not doing what he should do. Paul understood the hold sin can have on us, but do we? Let’s look at a couple of aspects of sin together. Maybe, these will spark some conversations that are so needed in the body of Christ.

1. There are no secret sins.

“…be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 33:23b

I think we all know this but we deceive ourselves into thinking that no one knows or we won’t get caught. The truth is we have been caught already because God knows and Jesus died for this secret sin. We need to search our hearts and see if there is a sin we are hiding. Once found, we need to confess to God and ask for his forgiveness. (1 John 1:9) Then we should move toward anyone this sin has affected and seek their forgiveness. Our sin, whether secret or wide opened, affects others.

2. Arrogance is a sin.

“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me!” Psalm 19:13

This is important to remember because our pride in our choices and knowledge can lead to arrogance. This arrogance can convince us that our sin is not really sin. We can list many reasons why our sin is okay for us. Notice that David says, in the verse above, to not let these arrogant sins have rule over him. He says this because they absolutely can. Beware of your thought process and excuse making. Are you being arrogant in your spiritual walk? When we give into arrogance then others are affected by it.

3. Sin has consequences.

“therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken.” Genesis 3:23

Here we read part of the consequences for the sin of Adam and Eve. God also addressed each of them giving them consequences in Genesis 3:16-19. There are always consequences to our sins. There are always people who say that it looks like someone got away with something. But, as Followers of Christ, we know that eternity is coming which means without Christ, only hell awaits those who don’t repent. We may experience consequences even in God’s forgiveness. These are designed to help us to not go down that road again, but to choose to follow God instead of our desires. However, our consequences from our sin affects others.

4. Our consequences affect others.

“Therefore, just as sin came into the world through one man, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men because all sinned”          Romans 5:12   “For as in Adam all die…” 1 Corinthians 15:22a

Yes, Adam suffered consequences for his sin. We do, as well. We are born into sin because of Adam’s sin. We are born in the image of God, but also in the sinful condition of Adam. Our sins, like Adam’s, have consequences that we will suffer but those can affect others, not just us. Be aware before you choose sin that you are not the only one affected by it.

This is not exhaustive but I hope it is thought provoking concerning sin. Why did I feel the need to write this? Because this morning it hit me that a sinful decision I made many years ago affects others today. It’s been a hard realization for me. However, I know that Christ has washed away that decision in his blood and I draw much comfort from that. The consequences remain and I carry them. I didn’t want the consequences to spread, but they did.

We need to talk about sin. We need to be quick to repent. We need to hang onto the hem of Jesus’ garment. Even now, in my new found distress, I know that Jesus will work it all out. I trust him to reach the hearts of those affected. Situations may not change but hearts can.

“Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!”             Psalm 139:23-24