Motivation Behind Avoiding Sin Due to Fear of Consequences
The motivation behind avoiding sin due to fear of consequences is a recurring theme in biblical and theological thought, reflecting both a natural human response to transgression and a spiritual understanding of divine justice. Immediately after their disobedience, Adam and Eve experienced shame and fear, hiding from God because they were naked, which Adam Clarke describes as the "immediate consequences of sin" [8]. This initial fear stemmed from their realization of having been deceived and exposed to punishment [8].
The Old Testament frequently depicts God's anger as a necessary response to sin, with a decisive outpouring of wrath predicted for human sin at the end of history [6]. This understanding of divine wrath can motivate individuals to avoid sin. For instance, the book of Proverbs states that "A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil" [9]. John Gill interprets this fear not merely as a dread of punishment, but as a reverence for God's goodness that influences a person to avoid offending Him [9]. Matthew Henry similarly notes that "Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves," leading them to flee even when no one pursues, because they perceive the entire creation to be at war with them if they have made God their enemy [10].
The New Testament also addresses the consequences of sin. Paul writes in Romans 7:8 that "sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting," indicating that the law, while good, can highlight sin and its effects [1]. He also expresses the struggle against sin, stating, "For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do" [3]. This internal conflict underscores the difficulty of avoiding sin even when one recognizes its negative impact. The Tyndale House commentary on Romans emphasizes that both Gentiles and Jews are "equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [6].
While fear of consequences can be a motivator, some biblical texts suggest a deeper, more intrinsic reason for avoiding sin. The First Epistle of John states, "Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God" [2]. This implies that a transformed nature, rather than solely fear, leads to the avoidance of sin. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown elaborate on this, contrasting those who commit sin as being "of the devil" with those who do righteousness [4]. Augustine, as quoted by Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, clarifies that being "of the devil" comes from imitation, not generation, suggesting a choice to align with evil [4].
However, even for those born of God, the struggle with sin persists. Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, commenting on 1 John 1:10, note that "we have not sinned" refers to the commission of actual sins even after conversion, while "we have no sin" refers to the guilt remaining from past sins and the corrupt nature still present [7]. This indicates that the avoidance of sin is an ongoing process, not a one-time event.
The concept of "deliberate sins" is also significant. Tyndale House notes that an individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an "insolent or arrogant attitude," characterizing such sin as rebellion [5]. This suggests that some sins are not merely accidental but are conscious acts of defiance, which would naturally incur more severe consequences.
Sources
- Romans “But sin, finding occasion through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of coveting. For apart from the law, sin is dead. -- Romans 7:8”
- I John “I John 3:9 (BSB) — Anyone born of God refuses to practice sin, because God’s seed abides in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.”
- Romans “For I don’t know what I am doing. For I don’t practice what I desire to do; but what I hate, that I do. -- Romans 7:15”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:8: He that committeth sin is of the devil--in contrast to "He that doeth righteousness," Jo1 3:7. He is a son of the devil (Jo1 3:10; Joh 8:44). John does not, however, say, "born of the devil." as he does "born of God," for "the devil begets none, nor does he create any; but whoever imitates the devil becomes a child of the devil by imitating him, not by proper birth" [AUGUSTINE, Ten Homilies on the First Epistle of John, Homily 4.10]. From the devil there is not generation, but corruption [BENGEL]. sinneth from the beginning--from the time that any beg”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- Romans (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Romans 1:18: 1:18–3:20 Paul delays exploring the theme of righteousness through faith (see 3:21) until after he first teaches about universal sinfulness. Gentiles (1:18-32) and Jews (2:1–3:8) are equally under sin’s power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own (3:9-20). 1:18 God’s anger is not a spontaneous emotional outburst, but the holy God’s necessary response to sin. The Old Testament often depicts God’s anger (Exod 32:10-12; Num 11:1; Jer 21:3-7) and predicts a decisive outpouring of God’s wrath on human sin at the end of history. While Paul usually de”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:10: Parallel to Jo1 1:8. we have not sinned--referring to the commission of actual sins, even after regeneration and conversion; whereas in Jo1 1:8, "we have no sin," refers to the present GUILT remaining (until cleansed) from the actual sins committed, and to the SIN of our corrupt old nature still adhering to us. The perfect "have . . . sinned" brings down the commission of sins to the present time, not merely sins committed before, but since, conversion. we make him a liar--a gradation; Jo1 1:6, "we lie"; Jo1 1:8, "we deceive ourselves"; worst of al”
- Genesis (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on Genesis 3:10: I was afraid, because I was naked - See the immediate consequences of sin. 1. Shame, because of the ingratitude marked in the rebellion, and because that in aiming to be like God they were now sunk into a state of the greatest wretchedness. 2. Fear, because they saw they had been deceived by Satan, and were exposed to that death and punishment from which he had promised them an exemption. How worthy is it of remark that this cause continues to produce the very same effects! Shame and fear were the first fruits of sin, and fruits which it has invariably produced, fr”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 14:16: A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil,.... He fears God, and is careful not to offend him; wherefore he departs from sin, stands at a distance from it, abstains from all appearance of it; being influenced by the goodness and grace of God unto him, he fears the Lord and his goodness, and therefore avoids all occasions of sinning against him: his motive is not merely fear of punishment, as Jarchi, but a sense of goodness; and now, as it is through the influence of divine fear that men depart from evil; so to do this shows a good understanding, and that such a m”
- Proverbs (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Proverbs 28:1: See here, 1. What continual frights those are subject to that go on in wicked ways. Guilt in the conscience makes men a terror to themselves, so that they are ready to flee when none pursues; like one that absconds for debt, who thinks every one he meets a bailiff. Though they pretend to be easy, there are secret fears which haunt them wherever they go, so that they fear where no present or imminent danger is, Psa 53:5. Those that have made God their enemy, and know it, cannot but see the whole creation at war with them, and therefore can have no true enjoyment ”