The Workings Of Sin

Temple Baptist Church - 5-7-2017

James 1:13-16

Introduction:

A.  James, chapter 1, is one of the “full mention principles” of the Bible.  If nothing else was ever said about sin and its consequences, verses 13-16 says enough!  The Book of James is one tough little book of the Bible.  God used James to “tell it like it is” on many subjects that preachers of our day will not touch.  The it was almost not canonized because many thought it taught a salvation by works.  James spoke of a salvation that does work!  Not a very interesting subject in this day of worldly church members.

B.  In these verses, we find the cause of sin, the course of sin, and the consequence of sin.  The cause of sin is always the same, the course of sin never changes, and the consequence of sin is devastating.

C.  One thing mentioned in verse 13 stands out that is a perpetual problem where the consequences of sinful is concerned.  Blaming God for the consequences of personal sinfulness.  When we sin, we certainly do not ask God permission and—yet—when the consequences of our sin show up, He gets the blame for things not turning out right for us.  That is the self-justification aspect of human nature.  Always be a victim instead of a perpetrator and blame someone or something else for our problems.  James takes that “off the table” before continuing the subject.

D.  Our heart is a deceitful, deceptive, defiling little “critter.”  Let us look at these verses as to get a biblical view of how sin works.

1. Sin’s Cause.

a.  We are born in sin; therefore, sin is natural.

Psalms 51:5  Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalms 58:3  The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

b.  We are tempted to sin by personal lust of the flesh.

Genesis 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.

Genesis 8:21  And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

James 4:1-2  From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?  (2)  Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

c.  We sin willfully.

Romans 5:12  Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

Hebrews 10:26  For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,

1)  It is human nature to blame others for our sin.  The middle letter of the word “sin” is “I.”

2)  We are personally responsible for our sin.  We have the privilege of personal choice.

2.  The Course of Sin.

a.  Enticement – “every man is tempted” - Matthew 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

b.  Entrapment – “drawn away of his own lust” - Hebrews 12:1  Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,f.

c.  Endorsement – “the when lust hath conceived” - James 4:17  Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

d.  Enslavement – “it bringeth for sin” - Romans 6:16  Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

e.  Expense – “bringeth forth death” - Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

3.  The Cure of Sin.

a.  Saved - Galatians 5:16  This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.

b.   Sinner - 1 Timothy 1:15  This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.

4.  The Caution of Sin.  “DO NOT ERR, MY BELOVED BRETHREN!”