Breath Taken by the Awfulness of Sin

Have you ever had your breath taken away by the awfulness of your own sin? Not just embarrassed, but genuinely stunned by the darkness you’re capable of?

What is sin?

Sin is awful.

Most of us prefer to think of ourselves as basically good people with a few character flaws. We minimize our failures, compare ourselves to others, and convince ourselves we’re not that bad. But this comfortable self-deception keeps us from experiencing the breathtaking reality of God’s grace.

Sin is crossing the line.

The Bible describes us as being “dead in trespasses and sins.” A trespass is literally crossing into forbidden territory - going beyond the boundaries God has established for our protection. Think of God’s commandments as “no trespassing” signs designed to keep us safe.

Sin is missing the mark

The word “sin” comes from an archery term meaning to fall short of the target. Romans 3:23 tells us “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” While trespasses are sins of commission (going too far), sins are failures of omission (not going far enough).

What Tempts Us to Sin?

The Course of This World

Ephesians 2:2 tells us we’re all born into a world that is on a course that leads away from God. This course is marked by peer pressure, media influence, cultural norms, and societal expectations. The world makes sin seem normal and righteousness seem strange. Unless we intentionally change course, we’ll naturally drift with the current of worldly thinking and behavior.

The Prince of the Power of the Air

Satan, described as the prince (not king) of the power of the air, actively works to keep us on the wrong course. He has limited power and operates only within God’s permission, but he consistently tempts us to rebel against God’s authority and live as if we were our own gods.

The Passions of Our Flesh

Ephesians 2:3 won’t allow us to simply blame the devil for our sinful choices. We must take responsibility for the sinful desires that originate from within our own hearts. Our biggest enemy isn’t an invisible force outside us - it’s the sinful nature within us. We have God-given desires in our bodies and minds, but sin leads us to fulfill these desires in God-forbidden ways.

What Does Sin Do?

Sin Kills

The Bible says we were “dead in trespasses and sins.” This isn’t just physical death but spiritual death - separation from God. Sin doesn’t make us sick; it makes us spiritually dead, incapable of responding to God or doing anything truly good. Dead people need resurrection, not just improvement. This is why salvation isn’t about good people becoming better, but about dead people being made alive.

Sin Invites God’s Wrath

We were “by nature children of wrath.” God isn’t indifferent toward sin - He sees it, hates it, and judges it. His wrath isn’t arbitrary anger but a righteous response to rebellion against His holy nature. The good news is that Jesus absorbed God’s wrath on the cross. He was treated as if He had committed every sin of every believer, so we could be treated as if we had never sinned.

Sin Infects Everyone

Ephesians 2:3 ends with “like the rest of mankind,” reminding us that everyone struggles with sin. This should motivate us to share the gospel with compassion, knowing that others are trapped in the same course we were rescued from.

• When was the last time I felt genuine sorrow over falling short of God’s glory or crossing His boundaries?

• Am I more aware of others’ sins than my own?

• Do I treat my sin casually, like a minor character flaw, or do I see it as God sees it?

• Am I daily depending on Jesus as my Savior, or am I trying to manage my spiritual life through my own efforts?

• How can I cultivate a healthy hatred for my sin while growing in appreciation for God’s grace?

The goal isn’t to live in condemnation but to develop a proper understanding of what Christ has saved us from. Only when we grasp the depth of our sin can we truly appreciate the height, depth, and breadth of God’s amazing grace.