Where Sin Begins

If my son were to sin against me, he wouldn’t stop being my son. And when we sin against God, we don’t cease being His sons and daughters. We are, however, prodigal sons and daughters.

Of course, we like to blame everyone for our sin except ourselves. But we play a role in it. And if you think about the last time you gave in to any sin, you’ll realize that it started in your imagination. Then it led to an action.

Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth, “But I fear, lest somehow, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, so your minds may be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3 NKJV).

He also explained how to win this spiritual battle: “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:4–5 NKJV).

Sin has ramifications. First, we feel the guilt—if our consciences are working, that is. Then we experience a dead feeling, which means that sin has done its work and has produced death. We haven’t experienced separation from God in our relationship, but we have experienced separation from Him in our fellowship.

So, when we sin, we need to restore that communication. We need to admit our sin, turn from it, and ask God to forgive us. 1 John 1:9 tells us, “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness” (NLT).

Whatever season we’re in, we never can take a vacation from the spiritual battle. The devil doesn’t take the day off from it, and we can’t either.