Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
JAMES 1:13-16 KJV.
Today, we continue our exploration of sin by examining how it is nurtured and developed in our lives. We will delve into the concept of Sin as Nurture or The Work of The Flesh.
Sin is an enterprise that has its own identity. It looks for vessels to partner with to bring about their own destruction. God warned Cain in Genesis 4:7 that he should beware of the mouthwatering deal sin presented to him if he would please God. But then he failed.
Apostle James explained the technology of sin in James 1:14-15, by saying that it all starts with a desire. Before time, the devil also had this desire in his heart [Ezekiel 28:16]; it is a desire that comes as an individual’s lust for a thing against God’s commandment[s].
Desires are nurtured and cultured to become realizable. After nurturing these desires, it gives birth to another entity called sin. Sin was found in Lucifer after much brooding of the desire to be like God.
Now, can you see that sin is an entity on its own? All it does is lie at the door. It can move. Sin is wrong desires in motion. Desires possess potential energy [energy at rest], and sin possesses kinetic energy [energy at work]. Desires are powerful [full of power]; sin puts that power to work.
For instance, if a man decides in his heart to engage in falsehood, that is a desire. But the desire is still there in his heart at rest [potential energy]. By the time he begins to practice it, sin creeps in, which means he has opted for sin’s package. By now his desires are in motion. The only place that this motion will lead you to is the final stage called death [Rom. 6:23]. No other terminals, death only.
Desire conceives sin and sin conceives death.
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 6:23 KJV.
It is a noteworthy fact that sin is a killer, and the fall of man could be traced back to its origin [rebellion] which was imputed into man as a sin. Man was created to know only good, but when man fell he developed the ability to know evil because initially evil was not in the picture. The ability to know evil that man got through his rebellion was what led to his fall.
Though we were born into sin according to Psalms 51:5, we should not continue to walk in it. Romans 6:1 queries, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” Definitely not!
Deliverance from sin, Satan and his works is the primary purpose of the Redemptive Work of The Cross. Mankind has a price tag with which he’s been bought, which is the blood of Jesus and that means there’s been a change of ownership, making the devil have no power over God’s creation because he is no longer in control, he lost control.
Sin is a personality that exists on its own. All it needs is a paved way and it will make the life of its victims worse than the first. It is always seeking out opportunities to advertise its products—these are distractions that have made and are still making the love of many wax cold.
Sin crouches in when you lose your guard in constant fellowship with God. When you only pray without watching, sin takes advantage of your lack of inner supervision and rides on your ignorance seeing to it that your communion with God is breached. And once that is done, it takes only the mercies of God not to make that man perish.
Also Read: SIN – THE NATURE [THE SEED OF THE FLESH]
The Work of The Flesh
The Work of The Flesh refers to how our sinful nature is cultivated and expressed. This process begins with our thoughts and desires, which can lead to sinful behaviours and habits [James 1:14-15]. The flesh, or our sinful nature, is like a garden that requires nurturing and attention to grow.
The apostle Paul lists the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21, including:
– Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness;
– Idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies;
– Outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies;
– Envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like.
These works of the flesh are not only harmful to ourselves but also to others and our relationship with God.
However, we have a choice: to nurture the flesh or to cultivate the Spirit. By walking in the Spirit, we can bear the fruits of righteousness and holiness.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
Galatians 5:22-23 KJV.
The Sin as Nurture perspective suggests that sin is primarily shaped by environmental factors, such as upbringing, culture, and life experiences. According to this view, humans are born with a blank slate, and their moral development is influenced by external forces.
Arguments in favour of sin, as regards its nurturing, include:
– The impact of the environment: Our surroundings and experiences significantly influence our moral values and behaviours.
– The role of socialization: We learn moral norms and values from our family, culture, and society.
– The potential for change: Humans can change and grow, suggesting that sin is not fixed or unchangeable.
The Complexity of Sin
While both perspectives [the nature and nurture of sin] offer valuable insights, the truth likely lies in a combination of both. Human nature may incline us towards selfishness and rebellion, but our environment and experiences also play a significant role in shaping our moral choices. How?
- Interaction between nature and nurture: Our innate tendencies interact with our environment to shape our moral development.
- Dynamic and evolving: Our understanding of sin and morality evolves throughout our lives as we grow and learn.
- Contextual factors: Cultural, historical, and social contexts influence our understanding and experience of sin.
Implications for Morality and Redemption
Recognizing the complexity of sin has significant implications for our understanding of morality and redemption:
- Moral responsibility: We are responsible for our choices, but also acknowledge the influence of nature and nurture.
- Redemption and forgiveness: We seek redemption and forgiveness, not only from a higher power but also from ourselves and others.
- Personal growth and transformation: We strive for personal growth and transformation, recognizing the dynamic nature of sin and morality.
This understanding of sin as the work of the flesh has significant implications for our understanding of morality, redemption, and spiritual growth. It highlights the need for a deep, inner transformation through God’s grace and the work of the Holy Spirit, rather than just external behavioural changes.
The idea that sin can be nurtured as the work of the flesh suggests that our sinful tendencies can be cultivated and strengthened through our choices and behaviours. Here are some ways in which sin can be nurtured as the work of the flesh:
- Indulgence: Giving in to sinful desires and temptations repeatedly can strengthen the flesh, making it easier to sin and harder to resist.
- Rationalization: Justifying or excusing sinful behaviour can lead to a hardened conscience and a greater willingness to engage in sinful acts.
- Neglecting spiritual disciplines: Failing to cultivate a deep relationship with God through prayer, study, and fellowship can leave us vulnerable to the flesh’s influence.
- Associating with sinful influences: Surrounding ourselves with people who encourage or model sinful behaviour can nurture the flesh.
- Feeding the flesh: Engaging in activities that cater to our sinful desires, such as excessive entertainment or indulgence, can strengthen the flesh.
- Lack of accountability: Refusing to submit to accountability and correction can allow the flesh to go unchecked.
- Unresolved trauma: Unaddressed pain and trauma can create an environment where the flesh is more likely to thrive.
- Pride and self-centeredness: Focusing on our own interests and desires can lead to a strengthening of the flesh.
It’s important to recognize that the flesh is a spiritual entity that needs to be addressed through spiritual means. By acknowledging and understanding how sin can be nurtured as the work of the flesh, we can better equip ourselves to fight against it and cultivate a deeper relationship with God.
The nurture of sin refers to how our sinful nature is developed and grown through our choices, behaviours, and influences. The “Work of The Flesh” [Galatians 5:19-21] describes how our sinful desires and tendencies are cultivated and expressed. This can include external influences like the world and Satan [1 John 2:15-17], as well as our own decisions and actions.
Let us recognize the work of the flesh in our lives and seek to mortify it. “For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live.” [Romans 8:13]. May we instead cultivate the fruit of the Spirit, reflecting the love and grace of our Lord Yeshua.
As we walk in the Spirit, let us also remember that we are not alone in this struggle. We have the support of our brothers and sisters in Christ and the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
May God grant us wisdom and strength to overcome the works of the flesh and live a life pleasing to Him. Amen.
