Where Does Sin Come From?

 

“For this reason God gave them over to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged the natural sexual relations for unnatural ones, and likewise the men also abandoned natural relations with women and were inflamed in their passions for one another. Men committed shameless acts with men and received in themselves the due penalty for their error. And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what should not be done. They are filled with every kind of unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, malice. They are rife with envy, murder, strife, deceit, hostility. They are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, contrivers of all sorts of evil, disobedient to parents, senseless, covenant-breakers, heartless, ruthless. Although they fully know God’s righteous decree that those who practice such things deserve to die, they not only do them but also approve of those who practice them.” Romans 1:26-32 NET

Sin does not emerge from a vacuum; it is rooted in rebellion. This rebellion took root in the Garden of Eden, the sacred space where God first dwelled with humanity. The source of sin was one of God's creations, often called the accuser. Although he is unnamed in the book of Genesis, his defiance in the spiritual realm seeped into the natural world, corrupting all that God had created. To frame this as merely a setback for God would be a grave understatement, especially in light of His unconditional love. Yet, the profound truth of God's omniscience—His complete knowledge of all things—assures us that this turmoil did not take Him by surprise. Despite the pervasive effects of sin, His love remains unwavering and constant.

While some of the behaviors Paul describes have their roots in the rebellion of angels and their abhorrent actions, the rebellious angels undertook to corrupt humanity—with sins such as homosexuality, bestiality, and the sinister mixing of human and animal DNA to create hybrids—their ultimate aim was to poison and pervert the sacred bloodlines of God's chosen people. They sought to usurp divine authority, attempting to become like God through fleshly means and bypassing the spirit of God. These critical insights can be found in the Book of Enoch.

Today, Paul speaks to the lingering influence of these rebellious angels, who no longer manifest as Nephilim but as demonic spirits and influencers. While one can eliminate a rebellious human or hybrid creature physically, their corrupted spirit remains, continuing to exert influence over humanity. People today remain vulnerable to the same demonic powers that once roamed the earth in the guise of giants and Nephilim—only now, their influence permeates our minds.

These malevolent forces strive to derail God’s plan to establish heaven on earth through human effort and natural means. Paul powerfully addresses this misconception: there is no physical way to manifest heaven on earth through human actions or mental ascent. He emphasizes that Jesus is the sole path to realizing God’s divine purpose, and this cannot be achieved through the flesh but only through the spirit of God.

When Paul mentions that men and women committed shameless acts and received the due penalty for their actions, he is speaking of the diseases that came upon them for their disobedience. For example, we tend to think of AIDS as a new disease and a result of homosexuality, but Soloman had it right “What has happened before will happen again. What has been done before will be done again. There is nothing new in the whole world.” Ecclesiastes 1:9 GNT

The question that gnaws at my heart is this: Why has God permitted corruption to remain active in our world, shaping it in ways that diverge from His original intention? I believe there is a profound purpose behind this—not merely a lapse on God's part. He longs for us to pursue Him and His glory, striving for a prize that far surpasses anything this world has to offer. He invites us to actively engage with His character.

Scripture reveals that we were originally created in God’s image, signifying a deep and intentional likeness to Him. Adam and Eve were fashioned in this image, existing in pure innocence before God, fully trusting in and relying on His presence each day. Yet, this likeness was imperfect because God intended for His created beings to reflect not just His actions by what He does but His very character by who He is.

Consider the firstborn son, steeped in his father's wisdom and traits, absorbing lessons that shape his identity. In Jewish culture, a son carries his father’s name, a profound symbol of identity, legacy, and reputation. In much the same way, we are called to reflect the very essence of our Creator. We must bear His name with gratitude and embody the character He desires to instill. Doing so invites others to recognize His greatness and share His fame as we engage with the world.

Paul powerfully illustrates the negative aspects of depravity by depicting the stark contrast apart from a holy God and the transformative power of divine intervention. These evil traits undeniably originate from rebellion—rooted in the corruption of the fallen angels who have long influenced humanity. Scripture boldly equates rebellion with witchcraft, highlighting its dangerous capacity to manipulate thoughts and actions.

When we come to the sobering realization that we are spiritually dead in our trespasses and sins, we uncover just how distanced we are from God's presence, revealing the stark reality of our spiritual depravity. Yet, in our most desperate moments, our Heavenly Father relentlessly pursues us, shining the illuminating light of His Spirit into our lives. This awakening has remarkable power, offering us the incredible opportunity to rise from our spiritual death and wholeheartedly embrace a new life in Christ.

Many people, in their self-righteousness, believe they can gain God's favor by rigidly following laws, rules, and ordinances. Yet, this belief only creates barriers between those who follow the law and those who know they can't. It fails to draw them closer to God than those who openly rebel. The undeniable truth is that we are all flawed, struggling with our negative proclivities. These imperfections create distance from God and our efforts to attempt to flawlessly adhere to the law or rules to live by only further that fact. Understanding this can help us connect more deeply with each other and with our heavenly Father.

Our imperfections led Jesus to sacrifice Himself, making us holy before our Heavenly Father by receiving Him as our savior. While achieving perfection in our physical bodies is impossible, we can allow the Holy Spirit to transform our minds to reflect Christ more fully. The Father yearns for us to embody His image; though our flesh may fade, our spirit and soul are eternal as long as we receive the gift of Jesus Christ only begins to illuminate. The presence of Christ dwells within us, promising the gift of eternal life. Through Christ, we have become divine beings—this extraordinary term signifies our elevated spiritual status, buoyed by the Holy Spirit. In embracing this truth, we gain immortality and the assurance that we will never truly die but live forever as God's sons and daughters.

Stephen Barnett