7 Characteristics of Sin
By Dr. Roger Vogel

The Scriptures are very adamant about our need to flee temptation and sin.  II Timothy 2:22a - Flee also youthful lusts;  I Timothy 6:11 - But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
Why does God want us to flee sin?  Because He knows the nature of sin.  Consider the following truths about sin:

1.  Sin is always deceitful – Hebrews 3:13 - But exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

2.  Sin is always debasing – Romans 1:28 - And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting.

3.  Sin is always destructive – James 1:15 - Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

4.  Sin is always a departure from God’s law – I  John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.

5.  Sin always seeks dominion over us – Romans 6:12, 14, 16 - Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts.  For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace.  Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?

6.  Sin always develops into more than we expect – James 1:15 - Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.

7.  Sin is always a departing pleasure – Hebrews 11:25 - Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin.

  Thankfully because of Jesus Christ, we do not need to be enslaved by sin any longer.  Romans 6:6-7 - Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.  For he who has died has been freed from sin.
  The ultimate destruction of sin is death – spiritual death, separation from God- Romans 6:23a - For the wages of sin is death.  But, thank God for His gift of eternal life in Jesus Christ – Romans 6:23b - but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
  Do you know that eternal life personally?  You can – I John 5:11-12 - And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.