The inquiry into why we sin has to be one of the most asked questions of all time. And that is probably true of both believers and non-believers. Though the latter may not ask specifically why we sin, they probably wonder why we do bad things.
Jonathan Edwards definitely asked this often. And then he went deep into pondering and prayer to seek answers. He personally wanted to know why he was prone to sin.
Then, he challenged himself to do something about it. That’s where many of us probably fall well short of the example set by Edwards.
Jonathan Edwards Resolution 24
Edwards’ Resolution #24 (in my modernized language) 24. Resolved: Whenever I sin or am morally wrong, I’ll trace it to the cause and carefully seek to do it no more as well as fight and pray against the source of that impulse.
Why We Sin… Recognizing Our Sin
So the trouble is not with the law, for it is spiritual and good. The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. – Romans 7:14 (NLT)
It is said so often, it is almost cliché; admitting a problem is the first step to recovery.
Admitting you cannot do it on your own is the first step toward a refining life, on purpose. One directed by God.
This verse from Romans helps put that earthly wisdom into godly perspective. You see, God gave us law to show us how flawed we are when apart from him. It’s like the banks of a river… without the banks, you have no river; you have a lake.
In this sense, the law shines a spotlight on our sin. Unfortunately, this awareness makes us want to sin more. We are compelled to do the thing we are not supposed to do. And sometimes, it is as if we have no control over ourselves.
Sin Brings an End of Ourselves
We can often go through life thinking we are not that bad. The reality, though, is that we cannot make that assertion with judging and comparing ourselves to others. The assertion, by its very notion, is a sin.
In addition, we may sin and think it’s no big deal to God. Or we may think we’re hurting no one. The reality, though, is that we have no idea what is and isn’t a big deal to God. And, we have not idea how God will use our actions. That we may actually be hurting many others without knowing it.
And finally, a lot of people will eventually conclude that the law is actually the problem. How faulty that conclusion is!
God tells us to look at my law and realize we are not okay and that you have nothing to prove – because Jesus already paid the price.
Note: a big thank you to my pastor Adam Reasner, who is teaching us through the book of Romans and shared many of these thoughts in his July 8th message, “You Might as Well Face it, You’re Addicted to Sin.”
Why We Sin… Finding The Root Cause
Asking why we sin is a common question. Certainly, the easy answer lies in the fact that it’s our very nature since the original fall of Adam and Eve. The not-so-easy answer is to ask what the root cause of our individual sins are and then doing something about them.
Our human survival instincts cause us to act irrationally. Similarly, our emotions stir us to act in haste while in high intensity situations.
We begin to act in ways that most likely are tied to pride, jealousy, greed, and/or ego.
The original sin found in the story of Adam and Eve demonstrates just how prone to sin we are and how cunning the evil forces are.
Why We Sin… and Doing Something About it
Edwards recognized and knew this. He refused to grow complacent in his ways. Instead, he deliberately asked why as a means for rooting out the cause of his sins.
Friends, I encourage you to follow the example of Edwards. Examine and question your motives.
As you do that, remember, your desire for what can be must be greater than your grip on what is.
I pray your greatest desire would be for one that glorifies God by refining life, on purpose.