Consequences of Unchecked Sin in Marriage and Relationships
Unchecked sin in marriage and relationships can have far-reaching consequences, affecting not only the individuals involved but also their families and communities. The biblical account of the first sin in Genesis 3 illustrates this, where the disobedience of Adam and Eve led to a state of sorrow and subjection for the woman, and a range of negative consequences for both [3, 10].
The consequences of sin are not limited to the initial act, but can have ongoing effects. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the sin of the first pair was "heinous and aggravated" and included a "love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters" [3]. This understanding is echoed in the commentary on 1 John 3:8, which notes that "he that committeth sin is of the devil" and that sin is a manifestation of being a "son of the devil" [2].
In the context of marriage and relationships, unchecked sin can lead to a range of negative outcomes. For example, the apostle Paul notes that those who marry will face "troubles in this life" (1 Corinthians 7:28) [1]. The sin of fornication, or sexual immorality, is particularly highlighted as a vice that is "unbecoming the dear children and followers of God" and can bring "many temporal calamities" upon those who engage in it [9].
The biblical account also highlights the consequences of sin for the individual. According to Tyndale House, the psalmist notes that those who commit deliberate sins do so with an "insolent or arrogant attitude" and that the "great sin is rebellion" (Psalm 19:13) [4]. This understanding is echoed in the commentary on Romans 1:18, which notes that God's anger is a "necessary response to sin" and that humanity is "equally under sin's power and cannot find favor with God by any action of their own" [5].
In the view of some traditions, the consequences of sin are not limited to the individual, but can also affect their relationships and community. For example, the sin of intermarriage with non-believers was seen as so serious in Ezra's time that it was considered a threat to the survival of the community (Ezra 9:14) [8]. Similarly, the commentary on Genesis 3:16 notes that the sentence passed on the woman for her sin included a state of sorrow and subjection, which had ongoing effects on her relationships and community [10].
The New Testament also emphasizes the importance of avoiding sin in relationships. According to John Gill, believers should avoid fornication and other vices, as they are "unbecoming the dear children and followers of God" [9]. The commentary on 1 Corinthians 3:23 notes that believers are "claimed by Christ" and that they should recognize their ownership by God [7].
Unchecked sin can lead to a range of negative consequences, including shame and fear, as seen in the account of Adam and Eve [11]. The biblical account emphasizes the importance of recognizing the consequences of sin and taking steps to avoid it. As the commentary on 1 John 1:10 notes, to claim that one has not sinned is to "make him a liar" and to deny the reality of one's own sin [6].
The consequences of unchecked sin in marriage and relationships are far-reaching and can have ongoing effects on individuals, families, and communities. Recognizing the biblical teaching on sin and its consequences can help individuals and communities to avoid the negative outcomes associated with unchecked sin.
Sources
- I Corinthians “I Corinthians 7:28 (BSB) — But if you do marry, you have not sinned. And if a virgin marries, she has not sinned. But those who marry will face troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.”
- 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”
- Genesis (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Genesis 3:13: beguiled--cajoled by flattering lies. This sin of the first pair was heinous and aggravated--it was not simply eating an apple, but a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude to a benefactor, disobedience to the best of Masters--a preference of the creature to the Creator.”
- 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”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 3:23: 3:23 Just as they may now claim everything as their own, so Christ has claimed them for himself (see Rom 14:7-9), and in Christ they are ultimately claimed by God (see 1 Cor 6:19-20; 7:23).”
- Ezra (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ezra 9:14: 9:14 Won’t your anger be enough to destroy us? The sin of intermarriage with non-believers was so serious that they had no hope of survival if they did not repent.”
- Ephesians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Ephesians 5:3: But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,.... The apostle proceeds to dehort from several vices, which are unbecoming the dear children and followers of God; and which the love of Christ should constrain them to avoid: the first of these, which is simple "fornication", is the sin which is committed between single or unmarried persons; and is contrary to the law of God, is a work of the flesh, and is against a man's own body; it renders persons unfit for church communion, brings many temporal calamities upon them, and exposes them to divine wrath, and ex”
- Genesis (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Genesis 3:16: We have here the sentence passed upon the woman for her sin. Two things she is condemned to: a state of sorrow, and a state of subjection, proper punishments of a sin in which she had gratified her pleasure and her pride. I. She is here put into a state of sorrow, one particular of which only is specified, that in bringing forth children; but it includes all those impressions of grief and fear which the mind of that tender sex is most apt to receive, and all the common calamities which they are liable to. Note, Sin brought sorrow into the world; it was this that ”
- 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”