It is age old question for Christians, why do we sin? We know that sin is wrong. We know that sin put Jesus on the cross. We know that sin separates us from God. So why do we sin. First let’s get one thing out of the way, we don’t sin because we are sinners, we are sinners because we sin. I believe Paul was quick to point that out if God had not communicated to man what sin was, then man would not know sin and God could not hold them responsible. (See Romans 7:7-13)
Sin is attractive to us because it offers some kind satisfaction or even physical pleasure. It is a draw to the flesh. Yes, most of the time sin is fun! Paul spent the remainder of Romans 7 explaining the pull of sin and how it affects the man who desires to be spiritual yet gives into the fleshly desires of sin. It is rather uplifting and encouraging to know that even a man as spiritual as Paul struggled daily with the battle between the spirit and the flesh.
I think we can relate to what Paul is saying in the fact we often want to do what we are told not to do. For instance, when at a restaurant and a server brings your food and sets it down in front of you and says, “Be careful, the plate is hot. Don’t touch it.” What is the first thing many people do? Touch it! Why? I am not sure why, however, I suspect it has something to do with a deep-seated desire to prove the other person wrong or maybe even show that they have no authority over you. As the old saying goes, “Sometimes you have to touch the fire to understand that it is hot.”
So, as people who are striving to be righteous and holy, why is sin so appealing? We know what the Bible teaches, and we understand the consequences of a sinful life. Yet somehow that is not enough to deter us from sinning. We know that once our mind clears away the clouds of sin, we are going to feel deep remorse knowing that we let God down. Hopefully that remorse leads to repentance and asking God for forgiveness, which He willingly gives and cleanses us once again. John said it like this in I John 1:9–9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
We also need to understand that sin is our choice. Nobody can force us to sin. Paul made it abundantly clear that God always gives us the opportunity to turn away from temptation: 13 No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it (I Corinthians 10:13)
Friends, sin comes from within. It comes from the things we have allowed in our hearts. According to James 1:13-15, sin comes from our own evil desires! That is a sobering thought. Christians have been washed in the blood and purified from sin and still have sin hiding in the deep, dark, recesses of our hearts because they are just something we have refused to let go of for one reason or another.
Don’t despair, God has given us the cure for sin. Jesus died on the cross for sins. For Christians, it’s simple, remember I John 1:9. If your not a Christian, Follow the words of Ananias to Saul (Paul): 16 “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (Acts 22:16)
Read Romans 7:7-25