Today many seem utterly lacking in any notion of the profound evil of sin. Presently most are more concerned about feeling good rather than doing good. We grieve on account of our troubles; on account of our sicknesses; on account of our calamities; but do we still grieve on account of our sin? Do we still believe that sin is exceedingly evil? It is because of our sinful nature that we commit sinful acts not because we have any particular disease: For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness [and every other sin]: all these evil things come from within, and defile the man. [Mark 7:21-23] Being a drunkard is a sin! [Galatians 5:21] Being an adulterer is a sin! [Matthew 5:27-28] All these sins flow out of a sinful heart!
Now perhaps you think that I’m being harsh towards those who are caught up in alcoholism, or pornography, or drugs, or any other addiction by calling these activities sin! But what hope does the secular world offer these individuals? In some cases the world teaches that the way of removing the guilt that comes from participating in a particular sin is simply to accept that sin as ‘normal’ behaviour. In other cases it teaches that you’ll be forever enslaved whether that is to alcohol or to drugs and that you need the ‘medicine’ of psychotherapy for the rest of your life. Drunkards and drug addicts can check into clinics for ‘treatment’ of their ‘chemical dependencies.’ But they are told that they need to receive ‘treatment’ for their addictions for the rest of their lives! They are told that there is no way that they can ever expect to be set free from these sins for as long as they live. Alcoholics Anonymous believes “there is no such thing as a cure for alcoholism.”[1] Is there any hope in such a way of thinking?
It shows us the hopelessness of every alternative to the gospel. The gospel is so much richer than any treatment of sin by secularists! When we refuse to acknowledge our sin it is then that we are burdened with guilt. David said: When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy on me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. (Psalm 32:3-4) Isn’t this characteristic of many who continue in patterns of sin? Always trying to cover sin begins to weigh heavily on one’s conscience because it is overwhelmed with the guilt of sin. But notice how true peace and forgiveness comes by acknowledgment of sin and confession: I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. (Psalm 32:5)
There is only one way in which sin can be dealt with; there is only one way in which sin can be destroyed! There can be no salvation for those who aren’t convinced of the wickedness of sin. It is only when one acknowledges that his external actions originate from a sinful heart that he will flee to the only Saviour of sinners: the Lord Jesus Christ! It is only by repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ that one can ever begin to conquer any sin. This is the only way in which the guilt, punishment, or power of sin can be removed from your life. There is no hope in renaming your sin ‘disease’ – for then you become merely a victim of circumstance. But when you take responsibility for your sins – when you acknowledge your sin – there is forgiveness with the Lord! There is only hope when you call sin, sin! There is no hope when you call sin, disease.
Postscript: If you are interested more in this topic there are two books that I recommend. They are:
Edward T. Welch, Blame it on the Brain? P&R Publishing: New Jersey, 1998
John F. MacArthur, The Vanishing Conscience Word Publishing: Dallas, 1994
