2.Understanding the Origin of Sin in the Bible

1. Introduction

Sin shows up again and again in the Bible. This article looks at the Bible to understand how sin starts and spreads, without adding opinions or talking about solutions. The goal is to notice patterns and events as they appear in the text.

2. Sin in the Beginning

a) The Creation Setting

In Genesis 1–2, humans are created with the ability to make choices and know right from wrong. They live in the Garden of Eden, get clear instructions, and are put in charge of taking care of the world (Gen 1:26–28; 2:15).

b) The First Sin

Genesis 3 tells the first sin: eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Key points:

• Clear rules: God tells them not to eat from that tree (Gen 2:16–17).
• Temptation: The serpent tries to make them doubt God’s words (Gen 3:1–5).
• Decision and action: Eve eats, then Adam eats too (Gen 3:6, 3:17–19).
• Immediate effects: They feel shame, realize they are naked, and fear God (Gen 3:7–10).

The sequence is clear: instruction → temptation → choice → action → consequences.

3. How Sin Spread Early On

Genesis 4 shows the first human-on-human sin: Cain kills Abel (Gen 4:1–8). Observed factors:

a) Cain and Abel

• Feelings: Jealousy and resentment.
• Action: The murder itself.
• Results: Cain is separated from his family and land (Gen 4:9–12).

b) Sin Across Generations

Genesis 4–6 shows sin growing in scope:

• Lamech talks about taking revenge (Gen 4:23–24).
• Humanity becomes generally corrupt, leading to the conditions before the flood (Gen 6:5–6).

We see a pattern: sin starts with individuals and then spreads to groups and communities.

4. Sin and Temptation

a) Desire

The Bible often links sin to desire:

• Eve is drawn to the tree’s fruit (Gen 3:6).
• Cain envies Abel’s offering (Gen 4:4–5).

b) External Influences

Sin often involves someone or something presenting an alternative to what God said:

• The serpent in Genesis 3.
• Family or societal pressures (Genesis 4 and 6).

c) Decision

In all these stories, sin happens when people consciously choose to act against instructions or moral expectations.

5. Patterns of Sin

a) From One Person to Many

Early texts show how sin spreads from a single person to a larger group:

• Cain’s act leads to a violent lineage (Gen 4:17–24).
• Widespread corruption leads up to the flood (Gen 6:5–7).

b) Building Up

Small acts of disobedience often lead to bigger problems. Over time, repeated choices make society more chaotic.

c) Relation to Rules

In each story, sin involves going against a rule or instruction. The presence of boundaries or commands seems to be a consistent factor.

6. Sin Later in the Bible

a) Israel’s History

Books like Kings and the Prophets show patterns of sin in individuals and the nation:

• Ignoring God’s commands (Exodus, Kings, Chronicles).
• Worshipping idols or compromising morally (1 Kings 12–14; Isaiah 1; Jeremiah 2).

b) In the New Testament

Paul and other writers describe sin in terms of desire, choice, and action:

• Romans 1:18–32 talks about preferring what is seen over what is unseen.
• James 1:13–15 shows a sequence: desire → conception → sin → death.

These examples match the pattern in Genesis: desire and choice lead to action, which leads to consequences.

7. What We Can Notice

1. Rules exist: Sin shows up where there is some kind of command or limit.
2. Temptation appears: Something or someone offers a different path.
3. People respond: Individuals think about it and make a decision.
4. Action happens: The sin is carried out.
5. Consequences follow: There are effects on the person, others, and sometimes society.

8. Summary

Looking at the Bible:

• Sin happens in the context of a command or instruction.
• Desire and external influences interact to create choices.
• One person’s sin can spread to families and communities.
• The pattern is consistent: desire → choice → action → consequence.
• Both the Old and New Testaments show this pattern repeatedly.