Key Question: If Satan tempts me to sin, am I really to blame?
Biblical Truth: Satan does seek to cause us to sin, but we are responsible for our own sinful actions.
1. Satan tempts us and desires for us to sin. (Matt. 4:1; 2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Thess. 3:5)
2. We have a human nature that is inclined to sin. (Rom. 7:17-25; Gal. 5:17)
3. We are responsible for our own actions. (Jer. 31:30)
4. When we accept responsibility for our sins and confess them, we find deliverance. (Prov. 28:13)
Key Question: Is temptation a sin?
Biblical Truth: Temptation is not a sin, but our response to temptation can lead to sin.
1. Temptation is not the same as sin. Jesus was tempted, but He never sinned. (Matt. 4:1-11; Heb. 4:15)
2. Temptation begins with our desires and can lead to sin. (Jas. 1:13-15)
3. Temptation can be resisted.
-We resist through prayer. (Matt. 6:13)
-We resist by staying alert. (1 Pet. 5:8)
-We resist by looking to Jesus. (1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:18; 4:14-16)
Key Question: Is it still a sin if you don’t know it’s a sin?
Biblical Truth: Sin is still sin even if we are unaware of it, but God holds us accountable for what we know.
1. We are all without excuse in knowing who God is. (Rom. 1:19-21)
-The issue is: what do we do with what we know about God?
- To ignore what we know about God is sin and leads to further sin.
2. Our conscience gives us a sense of right and wrong. (Rom. 2:12-16; 5:13)
-God gave laws to define sin, but sin still exists without the law telling us it exists.
-The law is written on our hearts, so that we inherently know there is a rightness or wrongness to certain actions.
-Implied in an awareness of God is the call to obey Him.
3. Punishment for sin is grounded in God’s mercy and is based on our depth of understanding. (Luke 12:48; 1 Tim. 1:12-13)
-Paul said that God responded to his ignorant actions with mercy.
- It is appears that open, intentional sin and rebellion against God is judged more harshly than sins committed in ignorance.
4. When we realize we have sinned, we should respond immediately with confession and repentance. (1 John 1:9)
Key Question: How does sin affect the natural world?
Biblical Truth: Creation also suffers under the curse of our sin, but it will be redeemed from the curse when Christ is fully revealed in us.
1. Creation was placed under a curse when Adam and Eve sinned. (Gen. 3:17-18)
-Work was not a part of the curse, but difficulty in working the earth was a part of the curse.
2. Creation continues to suffer because of our disobedience. (Isa. 24:1-6)
-Sometimes creation suffers because of our own self-interest and disregard for God’s creation.
-Sometimes creation suffers as a part of God’s punishment of us. He brings desolation to make our lives difficult, and He does this as either punishment or discipline to draw our attention to Him.
3. Creation will one day be free of the curse and consequences of our sin. (Rom. 8:19-21)
Key Question: What effect does sin have on me and others?
Biblical Truth: Sin breaks my relationship with God and others and brings about guilt, self-deception, dissatisfaction, ill health, and death.
1. Sin breaks our relationship to God, because as a holy God He cannot abide sin and because it creates guilt that leads us to distance ourselves from Him. (Gen. 3:8-10; Ps. 51:1-4; Isa. 59:1-2; Jas. 4:4)
2. Sin leads to a life of self-deception, dissatisfaction, and ill health. (Job 18:5-13; 20:4-5; Eccl. 2:1-2; Jas. 1:22-24)
3. Sin destroys our relationships with others. (Gen. 4:6-8; Jas. 4:1-3)
4. Sin brings about death, both physical and spiritual. (Rom. 6:21-23)
Reb Bradley listed these 9 prominent blindspots that parents should be aware of.
1. Having Self-Centered Dreams
2. Raising Family as an Idol
3. Emphasizing Outward Form
4. Tending to Judge
5. Depending on Formulas
6. Over-Dependence on Authority and Control.
7. Over-Reliance Upon Sheltering
8. Not Passing On a Pure Faith
9. Not Cultivating a Loving Relationship With Our Children
