“We’re only human ⌠that’s why we sin.â
Think back on the past week. How many times have you heard these words? Once? Twice? Three times? The excuse seems so innocent, compassionate even, yet we must stop saying these words; they sting Godâs ears.
The lies of our enemy can be very subtle. When we console one another with the idea that sin is inherent in being human, we are inadvertently teaching that God’s creation is flawed. And if Godâs creation is flawed, it must naturally follow that it is Godâs fault that we sin.
Why Humans Sin (It’s not what you think)
The first humans, Adam and Eve, were made perfect. “And God said, ‘It is good.'” (Genesis 1:27, 31) However, when the opportunity to sin presented itself, instead of seeking God, the first humans were enticed, ultimately choosing to disobey Godâs command. Adam and Eve sinned not because God created sinful humans, but because they abused their own free will. The apostle James teaches us,
“But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” (James 1:14-15 ESV).
Are humans inherently sinful?
All subsequent humans (believers and non-believers alike) sin not because we are human, but because sin passed through the first man, Adam, to his children, and therefore sin corrupted Godâs perfect creation. The apostle Paul understands this when he confesses:
“So I find ⌠when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? ⌔ (Romans 7:21-24 ESV)
The reason why all of those born after Adam and Eve sin is because we are born sinners – and born under a curse – not because we are born human. When we fail to make that critical distinction, the message of the Cross becomes powerless and irrelevant. But Paul answers his own question, âWho will deliver me from this body of death?â when he rejoices,
“⌠Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25 ESV)
This is why Jesus had to be born of a virgin, (born of “the seed of a woman” -Genesis 3:15, meaning born without a human father) in order to bypass the curse, but not bypass being born human.
How can we overcome sin?
God the Father sent His Son Jesus into the world as âthe last Adamâ (1 Corinthians 15) to break the curse by defeating the enemy and cleansing us from sin, thereby giving us new life. Through Him, we are born again, fulfilling God’s original and perfect design for humanity. First spiritually, and one day bodily, just as Jesus was raised to life bodily. Like Him, one day all who trust in Him will be resurrected in new bodies, perfect and sinless. Therefore, to be truly human is not sin and weakness, but power and perfection through Jesus Christ our Lord.
“For when Christ came into the world, he said,
‘Sacrifices and offerings you have not desired,
    but a body have you prepared for me;
in burnt offerings and sin offerings
    you have taken no pleasure.
Then I said, âBehold, I have come to do your will, O God,
    as it is written of me in the scroll of the book.â
âŚwhen Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God, waiting from that time until his enemies should be made a footstool for his feet. For by a single offering he has perfected for all time those who are being sanctified.â (Hebrews 10:5-14 ESV)
Humans Sin But Christ Overcame!
When we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord, we celebrate the glorious and infinitely costly gift of Godâs love. Now that is a gift worthy of eternal worship and praise to our God and Savior, who is Christ the King!
“Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.” (Philippians 3:20â21 ESV)
To God alone be all the glory!
Shadia is a passionate Bible teacher, author, and speaker who has a heart for seeing lives transformed by the power of Godâs Word. She holds a masterâs in biblical and theological studies from Western Seminary and is the author of several books and Bible studies, including HAGAR, LEGION, TAMAR and RAHAB.
Letâs stay in touch; connect with me on Facebook and Instagram.
Thank you for your precious insights and sharing the message of salvation to all.
Hi Janet. I’m so delighted the article blessed you!