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The Relationship Between Desire and Sin in Christian Theology

The relationship between desire and sin is foundational to understanding human fallenness and the need for redemption. Sin is defined as any lack of conformity to or transgression of God's law, encompassing both inward states and outward actions, whether by omission or commission [4]. It is not merely a violation of one's constitution but an offense against a personal lawgiver [4].

Desire, particularly in its corrupted form, is frequently identified as the origin of sin. The book of James states, "Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death" [1]. Easton's Bible Dictionary defines "lust" as sinful longing, an inward sin that leads to falling away from God [2]. It clarifies that lust originates in the heart, which is considered the center of moral forces and spiritual activity [2]. Similarly, "concupiscence" refers to evil desire or indwelling sin [3]. The Torrey's Topical Textbook lists sin as "the fruit of lust" [5].

This connection between desire and sin highlights that sin is not solely an external act but begins internally. The imaginations of the unrenewed heart are considered sinful [5]. Jesus himself taught that sin comes from the heart [5]. While all human beings are born sinners, the wicked are distinguished by their indulgence in their sinful nature, whereas the godly actively fight against it [8].

Sin is characterized by various aspects:

The Bible also addresses the deceptive nature of sin. Tyndale House commentary on 1 Corinthians 6:9 warns against self-deception, stating that sin is deceptive and should not be taken lightly [16]. Continuing unrepentantly in sin indicates a heart not renewed by the Holy Spirit [16].

Even after conversion, believers may still commit sins [13]. However, Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:6 explains that to the extent one "abides in Christ," they are free from sin, as the life of sin and the life of God are mutually exclusive [17]. This does not negate the reality that believers do fall into sin, but such sins are alien to the life of God and require Christ's cleansing [17].

Ignorance of God can also lead to sinful lusts [7]. This ignorance is evidenced by a lack of love for God, a failure to keep his commands, and living in sin [7]. It leads to error, idolatry, and alienation from God [7]. However, ignorance is not an excuse for sin [7].

The initial sin of humanity, as described in Genesis 3:13, was not merely eating forbidden fruit but involved a love of self, dishonor to God, ingratitude, and disobedience, demonstrating a preference for the creature over the Creator [10]. This highlights that even seemingly simple acts can be rooted in profound sinful desires.

Sources

  1. James “Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, produces death. -- James 1:15”
  2. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Lust — Sinful longing; the inward sin which leads to the falling away from God (Rom. 1:21). "Lust, the origin of sin, has its place in the heart, not of necessity, but because it is the centre of all moral forces and impulses and of spiritual activity." In Mark 4:19 "lusts" are objects of desire.”
  3. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Concupiscence — Desire, Rom. 7:8 (R.V., "coveting"); Col. 3:5 (R.V., "desire"). The "lust of concupiscence" (1 Thess. 4:5; R.V., "passion of lust") denotes evil desire, indwelling sin.”
  4. Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sin — Is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12-17; 7:5-24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment,”
  5. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Sin — Is the transgression of the law -- 1Jo 3:4. Is of the devil -- 1Jo 3:8; Joh 8:44. All unrighteousness is -- 1Jo 5:17. Omission of what we know to be good is -- Jas 4:17. Whatever is not of faith is -- Ro 14:23. The thought of foolishness is -- Pr 24:9. All the imaginations of the unrenewed heart are -- Ge 6:5; 8:21. Described as Coming from the heart. -- Mt 15:19. The fruit of lust. -- Jas 1:15. The sting of death. -- 1Co 15:56. Rebellion against God. -- De 9:7; Jos 1:18. Works of darkness. -- Eph 5:11. Dead works. -- Heb 6:1; 9:14. The abominable thing that Go”
  6. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Condemnation — The sentence of God against sin -- Mt 25:41. Universal, caused by the offence of Adam -- Ro 5:12,16,18. Inseparable consequence of sin -- Pr 12:2; Ro 6:23. Increased by Impenitence. -- Mt 11:20-24. Unbelief. -- Joh 3:18,19. Pride. -- 1Ti 3:6. Oppression. -- Jas 5:1-5. Hypocrisy. -- Mt 23:14. Conscience testifies to the justice of -- Job 9:20; Ro 2:1; Tit 3:11. The law testifies to the justice of -- Ro 3:19. According to men's deserts -- Mt 12:37; 2Co 11:15. Saints are delivered from, by Christ -- Joh 3:18; 5:24; Ro 8:1,33,34. Of the wicked, an example ”
  7. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Ignorance of God — Ignorance of Christ is -- Joh 8:19. Evidenced by Want of love. -- 1Jo 4:8. Not keeping his commands. -- 1Jo 2:4. Living in sin. -- Tit 1:16; 1Jo 3:6. Leads to Error. -- Mt 22:29. Idolatry. -- Isa 44:19; Ac 17:29,30. Alienation from God. -- Eph 4:18. Sinful lusts. -- 1Th 4:5; 1Pe 1:14. Persecuting saints. -- Joh 15:21; 16:3. Is no excuse for sin -- Le 4:2; Lu 12:48. The wicked, in a state of -- Jer 9:3; Joh 15:21; 17:25; Ac 17:30. The wicked choose -- Job 21:14; Ro 1:28. Punishment of -- Ps 79:6; 2Th 1:8. Ministers should Compassionate those in. -- ”
  8. Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 58:3: 58:3 All human beings are born sinners (see 51:5); however, whereas the wicked indulge their sinful nature, the godly fight against it (Rom 7:19-23; Jas 4:1-10).”
  9. 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”
  10. 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.”
  11. 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).”
  12. 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”
  13. 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”
  14. Zechariah (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Zechariah 8:2: 8:2 Passion (or jealousy, zeal) is a basic element of the Old Testament concept of God (see also 1:14). God’s passion identifies him as a personal deity, not an abstract natural force. God is passionate for his word and for the people of his covenant. His passion results in punishment for sin, restoration for repentance, and reward for the pursuit of righteousness.”
  15. 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 3:4: The apostle, having alleged the believer's obligation to purity from his hope of heaven, and of communion with Christ in glory at the day of his appearance, now proceeds to fill his own mouth and the believer's mind with multiplied arguments against sin, and all communion with the impure unfruitful works of darkness. And so he reasons and argues, I. From the nature of sin and the intrinsic evil of it. It is a contrariety to the divine law: Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also (or even) the law (or, whosoever committeth sin even committeth enormity, or aberra”
  16. 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 6:9: 6:9-11 Those who willingly sin have no share in the Kingdom of God. The lives of Christians must reflect the faith they confess. 6:9 Don’t fool yourselves: Sin is deceptive; believers should not take it lightly, as if it were somehow acceptable (Jer 17:9). • Continuing to indulge unrepentantly in sexual sin indicates a heart that has not been renewed by the Holy Spirit. Sexual sins include adultery (see Exod 20:14; Matt 5:27-28) and practicing homosexuality (cp. Lev 18:22; 20:13; Rom 1:26-27; 1 Tim 1:10).”
  17. 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 3:6: He reasons from Christ's own entire separation from sin, that those in him must also be separate from it. abideth in him--as the branch in the vine, by vital union living by His life. sinneth not--In so far as he abides in Christ, so far is he free from all sin. The ideal of the Christian. The life of sin and the life of God mutually exclude one another, just as darkness and light. In matter of fact, believers do fall into sins (Jo1 1:8-10; Jo1 2:1-2); but all such sins are alien from the life of God, and need Christ's cleansing blood, without appli”
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