two aspects of sin

There are several aspects of sin that deserve closer attention. One of them is its function as a modifier of behavior and thought. When a person is immersed in a particular category of sin, they become unable to manifest themselves fully, as God intended. Sin, as someone once said, is the opposite of freedom. Those who persist in it cannot flourish to their fullest potential. And if we believe that, in the end, it is God’s blessing that truly matters, then sin cannot coexist with the holiness God requires. A person dominated by the drive to fulfill sinful desires becomes increasingly shaped by that pursuit—their attention, focus, longings, and goals all begin to orbit around that final aim. Their way of thinking is no longer “normal” in the sense of clarity and spiritual health; their fall becomes increasingly evident.

A second aspect of sin is that it acts as a barrier to fulfilling God’s promise—figuratively speaking, of “conquering the promised land.” This “conquest” is the eternal life, which is promised by God through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. We recall that after Israel’s great victory at Jericho, they suffered a humiliating defeat at Ai, a much smaller town. The reason was the hidden sin of one man—Achan—who disobeyed God’s clear command not to take any spoils for personal use. His covetousness not only led to military failure but also caused the death of many of his fellow Israelites. This story stands as a sobering reminder of how personal disobedience can have communal consequences. It teaches us that spiritual conquest is guaranteed only if we walk in obedience. Yet living according to God’s standards is nearly impossible without His grace. We must surrender ourselves fully to Him, allowing our desires to be gradually crucified, so that we may attain the victory He has promised.