Dealing With Inherited Sin

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Short Summary
The discourse addresses the nature of inherited sin, defining sin as a violation against God’s law that corrupts the soul and demands just punishment. It examines specific sinful traits from Proverbs 6:16-19—pride, lying, shedding innocent blood, evil surmising, and sowing discord among brethren—highlighting their manifestations, biblical examples, and consequences. Emphasizing personal responsibility, humility, and reliance on God’s grace, the message calls for love, mercy, and unity within the community while encouraging believers to seek godly counsel and resist sinful tendencies.

Long Summary
Detailed Summary of the Discourse: “Dealing with Inherited Sin”

Introduction to Sin
– Sin defined per Easton’s Bible Dictionary (referencing Romans 4:15) as any lack of conformity or transgression against God’s law, affecting both inward soul states and outward conduct, by omission or commission.
– Sin is not just breaking natural or civil laws but an offense against a personal, moral Lawgiver (God) who enforces laws with penalties.
– The soul that sins is conscious of its sin, which is inherently vile, polluting, and deserving of just punishment, invoking God’s righteous wrath.

Key Scripture Focus: Proverbs 6:16-19
– The passage lists seven abominations to God:
1. A proud look
2. A lying tongue
3. Hands that shed innocent blood
4. A heart that devises wicked imaginations
5. Feet swift in running to mischief
6. A false witness speaking lies
7. One who sows discord among brethren
– The discourse examines five of these traits as manifestations of fallen human nature and sin.

1. Pride
– Pride often shows as an overly critical spirit, quick to judge others without direct knowledge or confrontation.
– The tendency to look down on others ignores that all are imperfect, born in sin, and in need of God’s help and the Holy Spirit.
– Apostle Paul’s struggle with sin illustrates this internal conflict (Romans 7:18-25):
> “For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) dwelleth no good thing… O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”
– Lucifer’s pride is the supreme example (Isaiah 14:12-14), attempting to exalt himself above God, ending in his foretold destruction.

2. Lying
– The biblical example of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-10) demonstrates the seriousness of lying to the Holy Spirit.
– Their attempt to deceive the apostles threatened the church’s purity and authority and resulted in their immediate deaths.
– This story underscores that God sees the heart (1 Samuel 16:7) and demands integrity, especially from those in the body of Christ.

3. Shedding of Innocent Blood
– The account of Cain and Abel (Genesis 4:15-19) highlights failure in moral responsibility and brotherly love.
– Cain’s question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” shows evasion of this duty.
– God’s mercy is shown by marking Cain to protect him from revenge, displaying a recurring biblical theme of mercy despite sin (Psalm 136:26).
– Abel’s faith is an example of righteous living (Hebrews 11:4), while Cain’s envy and violence are condemned (Jude 11).
– The importance of mastering sin, avoiding hatred, envy, and evil surmising (imagining evil without proof) is emphasized.

4. Evil Surmising and Distrust Among Brethren
– Evil surmising involves suspecting others without evidence, often projecting our own weaknesses onto them.
– Proverbs 18:13 warns against judging before hearing all facts.
– The subtlety of the adversary’s influence traced back to Eve’s deception (Genesis 3:1-5).
– Distrust harms fellowship; believers are urged to think positively and give the benefit of the doubt, following 1 Corinthians 13:5-6:
> “Love thinketh no evil, but rejoiceth in the truth.”
– Philippians 4:8 encourages focusing on praiseworthy and true thoughts.

5. Sowing Discord Among Brethren
– Division within the church is a serious sin.
– Quoting the Harvest Message (Reprints 4550), believers are urged to avoid quarrels, focus on spiritual growth, and trust God’s providence during trials and divisions.
– Romans 16:17 commands marking divisive individuals and avoiding them but without bitterness or retaliation, imitating Christ’s response to reviling.
– God’s sovereignty and justice ensure that His cause will not lose out despite internal conflicts.

God’s Attributes and Sin’s Consequences
– Scriptures affirm God’s love (John 3:16), holiness (Leviticus 20:26), unchangeableness (James 1:17), and justice (Psalm 89:14).
– God balances these attributes perfectly: He permits evil for a time to teach humanity about sin’s consequences and to allow opportunity for repentance and recovery through Christ’s ransom.
– Sin’s presence and its effects are pervasive throughout Scriptures and human experience.

Practical Lessons and How to Control Sinful Tendencies
– Do not grieve the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:30-31).
– Practice discretion and patience (Proverbs 19:11): “It is his glory to pass over a transgression.”
– Accept personal responsibility before judging others (Matthew 7:5).
– Intensify prayer life, praying with holy hands, free of anger and doubt (1 Timothy 2:8).
– Act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with God (Micah 6:8).
– Be slow to anger and quick to listen (James 1:19-20), because human wrath does not produce God’s righteousness.
– Seek godly counsel for difficult matters (Proverbs 11:14): “Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counselors there is safety.”
– Let the Holy Spirit dwell richly within and serve God faithfully throughout life and eternity.

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Key Bible Verses Referenced:
– Romans 4:15; Romans 7:18-25
– Proverbs 6:16-19; Proverbs 18:13; Proverbs 19:11; Proverbs 23:7; Proverbs 11:14
– Isaiah 14:12-14
– Acts 5:1-10
– 1 Samuel 16:7; 1 Samuel 15:23
– Genesis 3:1-5; Genesis 4:15-19
– Hebrews 11:4
– Jude 11
– 1 Corinthians 13:5-6
– Philippians 4:8
– Romans 16:17
– John 3:16; Leviticus 20:26; James 1:17; Psalm 89:14
– Ephesians 4:30-31; Matthew 7:5; 1 Timothy 2:8; Micah 6:8; James 1:19-20; 1 Peter 5:6

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This discourse emphasizes the pervasive nature of inherited sin and its manifestations in pride, lying, violence, distrust, and discord. It calls believers to humility, love, mercy, and reliance on God’s Spirit to overcome sin and maintain unity and purity within the Christian community.

Transcript

As has been announced, the title of our service is Dealing with Inherited Sin. You know, according to Easton’s Bible Dictionary, referencing Romans 4:15, sin is described as follows. It is any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God in the inward states and habits of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission. It is not a mere violation of of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offense against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious of.

His sin is one, intrinsically vile and polluting, and two, that it justly deserves punishment and calls down the righteous wrath of God. So that’s the definition. I want to know if you listen, because I want you to repeat that to me.

So no test right now, but the test is how we deal with it. So let’s go on. So our focus today will be to expand upon a familiar passage of Scriptures found in Proverbs. Proverbs 6, verses 16 to 19. Proverbs 6, verses 16-19.

And it reads as follows. These six things doth the Lord hate, yea, seven are an abomination unto him, a proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren. So what we’re going to do in the time allotted is we’re going to examine five of these traits as time permits, noting that they are all manifestations of our fallen condition which relates to sin. Number one, pride. You know, one possible indicator of pride in our hearts is the manifestation of an overly critical spirit.

You know, the easiest thing in the world is to see the faults of others. Sometimes it comes out like this. I wonder why brother so and so, or sister so and so would do or say this or that, and here I would make a distinction between going directly to that brother or sister and question them for some clarification about what they have said or done. Quite often we do not do that because the matter may really not be any of our business.

And so the easiest thing to do is to observe someone, then ask somebody else, why do you think they’re doing this? Why would they say that? The implication being that somehow or other they have done something wrong.

Have you ever heard anyone say, oh, I would never, never do anything like that? Well, perhaps we wouldn’t, but might we not do something just as bad or even worse.

We should not look down upon or criticize others believing that we are superior to them. But rather, let us realize that each one of us is imperfect. We’re all born in sin and shape in iniquity, and so we have a great need for assistance from the Heavenly Father and more of that Holy Spirit for which we pray to overcome our weaknesses according to the flesh. You know who among us cannot appreciate the apostle Paul’s words In Romans, chapter 7, verses 18, 19, 24 and 25.

Romans, chapter 7, verses 18 million 19, 24 and 25, and this is what he says. For I know that in me that is in my flesh dwelleth no good thing. For to will is present with me. But how to perform that which is good, I find not for the good that I would do, I do not.

But the evil which I would not. That I do. O wretched man that I am, who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sinner.

And it has been said already, and it will probably be said over and over again. But the supreme example of this first quality pride is found, yes, in the adversary, the roaring lion, that you know of whom it is written. Old testament, Isaiah 14:12 to 14, Isaiah 14:12, 14, and it says, how thou art fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning, how thou art cut down to the ground which did weaken nations. For thou has said, in thine heart I will ascend into heaven.

I will exalt my throne above the stars of God. I will also sit upon the mount of the congregation in the size of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds. I will be like the most High. Surely Satan’s foretold destruction is a graphic illustration as to the end result of this pernicious evil.

Number two, lying. We’re going to quote the scripture in its entirety and we’re going to talk about Ananias and Sapphira, and the account is found in Acts, chapter 5, verses 1 through 10, and we read as follows. But a certain man named Ananias with Sapphira his wife sold a possession and kept back a part of the price, his wife also being privy to it and brought it a certain part of it and laid it at the apostles feet.

But Peter said, ananias, why has Satan filled thine heart? To lie to the Holy Spirit and to keep back part of the price of the land, while it remained, was it not your own? And after it was sold, was it not thine own power? Why hast thou conceived the thing in thine heart? Thou has not lied unto men, but unto God.

And Anais, hearing these words, fell down and gave up the Spirit, and great fear fell upon or came upon them that heard these things, and a young man arose, wound him up, and carried him out and buried him. It was about the space of three hours after when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in, and Peter answered under her, tell me whether you sold the land for so much?

And she said, yes, for so much. Then Peter said to her, how is it that ye have agreed together to tempt the Spirit of the Lord? Behold, the feet of them which hath buried thy husband are at the door and shall carry thee out. Then she fell down straightway at his feet and yielded up the Spirit, and the young men came in and found her dead, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband.

So if the hypocrisy of Ananias and Sapphira had succeeded in deceiving Peter, it would have adversely affected the apostles authority. You know this very sad narrative of Ananias and Sapphira is not some obscure incident that you might find in the Old Testament regarding a violation of the Mosaic Law. Oh no, this folk. This took place during 1st century Christianity after the Holy Spirit was given, after the church began, after there was a commitment to follow after Christ with that purity that was necessary if we have any hope to be part of the body of Christ, and so the narrative again of Ananias as Sapphira is a reminder to us today that God sees the heart.

And we might reference 1st Samuel 16:7, 1st Samuel 16:7, that he hates sin and that he is concerned for the purity of all those who will make up the bride for his beloved Son, Christ Jesus, Number three. Shedding of innocent blood. So we’re going to go back to the first chapter, first book of the Bible and we’re going to think about Cain and Abel. You remember Cain’s famous question, am I my brother’s keeper? That points to a duty, a moral duty that extends beyond our biological family.

The lesson is that all are accountable as to how we treat each other. The scriptures envision an ultimate community where individuals care for one another and avoid the destructive impulses of envy, and we might reference Galatians 6:2, Galatians 6:2, and so this particular account illustrates the negative consequences of failing in one’s moral responsibility towards others, and it further emphasizes compassion, brotherly Love and mutual care as virtues to be internalized.

But you know, even in his judgment, God manifested mercy. After pronouncing Cain’s sentence, Cain expresses concern that others will kill him for what he has done, and the Lord responds by placing a mark on, on him, protecting Cain from being killed, and we Reference Genesis chapter 4, verses 15 to 19. Genesis chapter 4, verses 15 to19.

And so although he experienced severe consequences, God’s intervention prevented his immediate destruction. You know, I absolutely love Psalm 136. It has 26 verses, and every verse ends with the phrase, for his mercy endureth forever. Think about that. You know, this matter of mercy being included in our narrative points to this recurring biblical theme that although sin deserves a full measure of punishment because it’s a transgression against divine law, God’s compassion and restraint still is manifest.

And so while it does not remove accountability, it allows space for reflection and change, and I was thinking about the discourse that just preceded mine in terms of what brother Jay spoke about Peter, how he was recovered, continuing further Cain and Abel incident, and it’s near the beginning of the Scriptures. It’s not just an isolated event. It goes throughout the entire Bible.

Sin is sin on every chapter. There’s no books, no chapters that does not relate to sin, and you know, even in the book of Jude chapter, well, there’s only one chapter, but verse 1:11. I’ll put it that way. Jude 11 There is a reference to Cain, and it underscores the fact that we should not nurture envy, disobedience, or violence.

But in contrast, we see Abel’s faith becomes a model of purity, and we read from Hebrews 11:4, Hebrews 11:4, that his blood still speaks, symbolizing the lasting impression of a righteous example and highlighting how personal decisions have eternal significance, and again, considering these two brothers, an important takeaway is the call to have mastery over sin. Instead of succumbing to hatred and envy and the consecrated, the spirit begotten are required to respond with faithful worship, genuine love, humility as evil surmising. Webster’s 1828 dictionary says, to surmise is to suspect, to imagine without certain knowledge.

And this definition seems to imply that the surmiser, you know, we tend sometimes to think something about somebody else. We really do. But you really don’t know anything for sure. But you dote about various questions, and so if indeed we have wicked thoughts about somebody’s doing something wrong, with no verifiable proof to confirm this, that may be a need for us to think about ourselves.

For Example, to suspect that that person over there is doing something evil. But you don’t have any facts about it.

And I believe it’s true. I really believe that that’s evil surmising, and what the adversary seems to do is to try to get us to jump to conclusions without having all the facts.

Proverbs 18:13. Proverbs 18:13 is a reference that we might consider along that line. Still in. Back in the book of Genesis, thinking about Eve, Mother, Eve, you know, there was a she. The adversary suggested that, you know, well, God is holding out something from you.

And I’ll reference Genesis 3, verses 1 to 5, that somehow or other, you know, you could be better than this. You could know more than you know, God is depriving of that, and so she fell for that. So it’s a very subtle influence, and again, we’re talking about inherited sin, because we’ve all inherited.

We’ve all inherited sin. So there’s a great work that we have to do and we cannot do it on our own. Another factor that contributes to. To this lack of trust in others. It’s a surmise that others may be just like we are.

That’s a funny kind of saying, isn’t it? You know, if I am prone to a certain kind of sin, I might think that, yeah, you’re doing the same thing.

If you suspect somebody’s lying, then, and you don’t have the evidence to do it, maybe it’s because I might do that under similar circumstances, and therefore you distrust the honesty of that person, and I have to say that, you know, think about your brethren, because we’re the.

Never fight. Pray, do what you have to do. Don’t. Don’t hold those kinds of views about your brethren, no matter what. Yeah, we’re all in the flesh, but you gotta.

We need to get on our knees to spend a lot of time to rid ourselves of any sort of inclination along that line. You know, King Saul was a good example of this because he thought that David was out to steal his throne. That’s what he thought. Maybe he threw the javelin at him. He was not out out to do that.

And there was a time when, you know, David’s men thought that, you know, get Saul, and he said, touch not the Lord’s anointed. So you see, he could not trust David, that David was innocent, but he was a rebel also. Let me give you another illustration. In 1st Samuel 15:23, 1st Samuel 15:23, that’s the story when Saul was commanded to do something, spare all of them Kill Agag and all the animals.

And that’s because the prophet Samuel had not arrived in time, and what do I hear? The bleeding sheep. What? What’s that?

Have you destroyed them all? And of course, you know, we see that Saul was a king, he fell mightily, and ultimately he lost his position as the king of Israel. The same goes if we look at cases of sexual impurity. If you have impure thoughts, you’re going to think that others have the same thing, and again, Proverbs 23:7.

Proverbs 23:7. Sometimes among the big nominal clergy, mega ministers, one of the interesting things is they rail a lot of times about righteousness, doing what’s right, and then later on you find out a scandal that they have been involved the same thing, and they fall in grace. Think about that. So we need to be sure that we always look at the divine standard.

Evil surmising things indicate a lack of love.

We’re told in 1st Corinthians 13:5 and 6, 1st Corinthians 13:5 and six, that love thinketh no evil, but rejoices in truth, and so if you really love someone, you won’t take time to think evil of them. We’ll think the best of them and give them the benefit of any doubt.

And we should think positively about others and trust them. Unless we have incontrovertible evidence to the contrary, they probably even are not as evil as we would ascribe them to be anyway, because it’s part of the Fall, and we have to believe that everyone is striving against his or her own imperfections. Perhaps the spirit of rehearsing the principles found in Philippians 4:8, Philippians 4:8 tells us what things we should think of. You know the Scripture, so we won’t take time to quote it. That will help us.

Let us now skip to sowing discord among the brethren. That’s a biggie.

A very serious occurrence, and perhaps what we will do is we will quote a portion from the Harvest message, and this comes from reprints. 4550 reprints. 4550.

And this is what it says. We urge upon all those who do not see eye to eye with us, that instead of quarreling with those who want something new or something better or something different, we merely let them go their way, while we give special heed to the development of the fruit and graces of the Holy Spirit in our own hearts and lives, and to the further dissemination of the glorious message to those who have the hearing ear. If from Time to time the Lord shall permit Satan to sift the church like wheat. Let us remember that our great advocates assistance in proper measure and power, will bring to all who are loyal at heart the needed grace and strength for every temptation, and he continues he will not suffer such to be tempted about above what they are able to bear, but with the temptation permitted, will provide a way of escape.

We must expect, however, that these siftings of the wheat are not only permitted, but intended to separate some and it is not for us to murmur nor complain against the divine providence in this matter. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away. Blessed be the name of the Lord. Even though those who are being sifted have been very dear to us, as St. Peter and the other apostles were to the Lord, it is for us to humble ourselves under the mighty hand of God. First.

Peter 5, verse 6. On the other hand, while remembering the scriptural injunction to mark them which cause divisions and avoid them, let us digress to read Romans 16:17, Romans 16:17 and it says, now I beseech you brethren, mark them which cause division and offenses contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned, and avoid them. Yet we should not allow any bitterness respecting them to enter our hearts, or to escape our lips or our pens, no matter what they may say or do against us. See that no man render evil for evil, railing for railing, but contrary, wise, let us be like our Lord, who when reviled, revile not again.

As we see some going blind, respecting precious truths which they once saw clearly, it will properly grieve our hearts for them. But we are to remember that they that the Lord’s cause will lose nothing, that it is in the hands of the omnipotent One who is able to make all things work together for the fulfillment of his counsel of his own will, his glorious purposes. End of quote. So I just read that as is, because I will not even try to add to that. You know, throughout the Scriptures there are many references to God’s love.

John 3:16, John 3:16, his holiness, Leviticus 20:26, Leviticus 20:26S his unchangeableness. James 1:17, James 1:17, his justice. Psalms 89:14, Psalms 89:14.

You know, our Heavenly Father perfectly balances all of his attributes, and we could never imagine him saying after having formulated his magnificent plan, you know what? The adversary is so wicked, I’m so angry with what he’s doing right now. I think I’m going to destroy him right now. No, in God’s due time and according to his perfect judgment.

His unerring wisdom, such as when he condemned Father Adam because of disobedience, he will do it at the appropriate time. You see, love also found a way to provide an opportunity for man’s recovery through the sending of Jesus as a ransom for all and loving righteousness and hating inequity is an integral portion of the Grand Creator’s being, and these exist in perfect harmony, and so there, brethren, we would say that the permission of evil was provided to instruct the human family as to the consequences, the serious consequences of sin and disobedience, and we’re to be developed under this regime as we begin to think about some lessons or things to do as we bring our subject to a close. We would suggest that we don’t want to grieve the Holy Spirit, and we reference Ephesians 4, 30 and 31.

4, 30 and 31. So let’s talk about how can we control our lives.

Proverbs 19:11 Proverbs 19:11 reminds the discretion of a man to birth his anger and and it is his glory to pass over transgression. So overlook minor offenses. Matthew 7:5 Matthew 7:5 Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye, and then thou shalt see clearly to cast out the mote of thy brother’s eye. We need to accept personal responsibility for our own errors.

1st Timothy 2:8 1st Timothy 2:8. I will therefore let men pray everywhere. Lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting intensify our prayer life.

Micah 6:8 Micah 6:8 what he has shown thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee? But to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God. So we need to be just and merciful.

We cited Ephesians 4:32, so we’ll skip over that. How about James 1:19 and 20? James 1:19 and 20 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath. For the wrath of men worketh not the righteousness of God. So we need to exercise deliberations, care in our deliberations with others.

Let me close with one last Scripture, and it’s found in Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 11:14 where no counsel is the people fall but in the midst of counselors there is safety. So let us be receptive to godly counsel in addressing matters that have the propensity for strife. May our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit dwell in us richly, and may we prove worthy of to our calling and serve our Creator’s cause now, tomorrow, and throughout eternity, Amen.

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