Who Is Affected by Sin?

The prophet described a judgment against the people of the earth. The reason for this was sin. The inhabitants polluted the earth – not with trash or greenhouse gases; instead they “transgressed laws, violated statutes, broke the everlasting covenant” (v. 5). Most people do not realize the seriousness of sin, yet it causes destruction. Like pollution, it affects more than just the one who committed the sin. In this lesson we want to consider this question: Who is affected by sin?

Sin Affects God

• We may immediately think of the sinner, but we need to start here – our sin affects God
• When we sin, we sin against God (Genesis 39:9) – even when others are affected, this should be our primary concern (Psalm 51:4; cf. 2 Samuel 11:1-21); when we sin we “fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and fail to be what He wants us to be
• Our sin causes a break in fellowship with Him (Isaiah 59:1-2) – God wants to have fellowship with man (Genesis 3:8); sin prevents this (1 John 1:5-6)

Sin Affects the Sinner

• Some sins are private, others are public – but they all affect the one who committed the sins
• Sin puts one’s soul in jeopardy (Hebrews 10:26-29) – even one sin is a problem (James 2:10); if we are lost, we will end up in a place where no one wants to go (Matthew 13:42)
• Sin hardens one’s heart (Hebrews 3:12-13) – it sears the conscience (1 Timothy 4:2), which makes it difficult to return (Hebrews 6:4-6)

Sin Affects the One Sinned Against

• Some sins may be private with no “victim” but God – others are against someone else
• These sins are a violation of the command to love others (Romans 13:8-10) – we should always be seeking to do good to others (Galatians 6:10); sin is the opposite of this
• These sins make it more difficult to encourage others to faithfulness (Proverbs 18:19) – it undermines our efforts in this regard

Sin Affects the Witnesses of It

• Some sins may not be against others, but are committed in their presence – this also has an impact
• Our sin can encourage others to sin (1 Corinthians 8:4-12) – Paul was discussing a matter of liberty in that passage, but the principle applies
• Public sin can hinder others from coming to God (2 Corinthians 6:3) – many people cite Christians’ hypocrisy as an excuse to remain in sin; we must not give them that excuse (1 Peter 2:12)

Sin Affects the Church

• Finally, when we sin, it impacts the church – particularly the local church that we are a part of
• It brings reproach against the church (Romans 2:21-24) – Christians can cause others to speak evil of the church by our actions; people will do this anyway (Acts 28:22), but we must not give them a real reason (1 Peter 2:12)
• It makes the church weaker (1 Corinthians 5:6) – sin and its influence spread (2 Timothy 3:13; cf. Isaiah 24:5)

Conclusion

• Sin should not be taken lightly – first, because it can cause us to lose our souls; also because it negatively impacts God, the victims, the witnesses, and the church
• If we have sin in our lives, let us repent and turn back to God and seek His forgiveness