Overcoming Sin through Christ

A Comprehensive List of Sins

(Alphabetically Arranged)

Richard Hollerman

The plan of this study is simple.  We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically.  We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry.  Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.

Lack of Foresight

God calls on us to look to the future and make our decisions according to good judgment.  We must not just “do what comes naturally” and then expect that all will turn out well.  God says, “A prudent man sees evil and hides himself, the naïve proceed and pay the penalty” (Proverbs 27:12; cf. 22:3).  We must “see” the evil approaching and then avoid it.  This is foresight.  We also read, “The naïve believes everything, but the sensible man considers his steps” (14:15).  In other words, the wise person will look to the future and consider how his present beliefs, convictions, words, and behavior will have an effect on the future.  If we don’t have this attitude, we will be foolish and naïve and even sinful.

This principle is worked out in many different areas of life.  For instance, it is found in child raising or training.  We read, “Discipline your son while there is hope, and do not desire his death” (Proverbs 19:18; cf. 13:24; 22:15; 23:13-14).  Again, “The rod and reproof give wisdom, but a child who gets his own way brings shame to his mother” (29:15; cf. v. 17).  Many parents have discovered too late the they should have taught and disciplined their children when they were very young, before they could walk, for without this discipline, the children will turn out shameful, deceived, worldly, and compromised adults.  Scripture says, “Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord” (Ephesians 6:4; Deuteronomy 6:1-7).

Another lack of foresight would be in the matter of marriage preparation.  God desires that one man and one woman marry and this union would be a life-long relationship, a covenant of God for life (cf. Genesis 2: 18, 24; Matthew 19:6-8; cf. Proverbs 2:17; Malachi 2:14).  There is to be absolutely no lust (Matthew 5:27-31) or fornication (immoral sexual relations) before marriage (1 Corinthians 6:9-10; Galatians 5:19-21).  Those who would violate this holy sexual relationship will not enter God’s kingdom but will receive the wrath of God (Colossians 3:5-7; Ephesians 5:3-7), be judged by God (Hebrews 13:4), and will be sent to the lake of fire (Revelation 21:8).  Young people as well as others violate the holiness of the sexual relationship that God intended to be honorable (Hebrews 13:4) by engaging in compromising sexual activity before marriage.  This not only gives a faulty foundation to marriage but it sows the seeds of distrust for years to come.  How vital, therefore, that young people have the foresight to make these decisions![1][1]

A further lack of foresight is seen in the compromises people make regarding their health when they are young.  Actually, this begins with the wrongful choices that the parents make in feeding their children junk foods that begin the long and painful process of health degeneration that will finally bring degenerative disease in middle age and later age.  In the teens, twenties, and thirties, men and women seem to be concerned only with the present and the taste of food rather than the nutritional content.  They overlook the fact that one’s body is a gift from God, to be given as a “living and holy sacrifice” to Him (Romans 12:1).  They are to recognize that the body belongs to the Lord, that He has purchased it, that the Holy Spirit dwells in the Christian’s physical body, and that we are to glorify God in our body (1 Corinthians 6:15-20).  Paul writes, “Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (10:31).  Wouldn’t wisdom dictate that we carefully guard our health when we are young with an effort to avoid the common diseases and disabilities of older years—such as diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure, kidney disease, prostate and breast cancer, colon cancer, heart disease, arthritis, and many others?

This is sufficient to reveal how sins in our youth manifest a lack of foresight for the future.  It shows a lack of wisdom, a lack of prudence, and a lack of understanding.  Mostly, it shows a dependence on the flesh rather than the Spirit.  “The one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Galatians 6:8).[2][2]  We need to repent of our lack of foresight in our younger years that has disastrous effects on our later years.  David prayed, “Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions” (Psalm 25:7a).

 

[1][1] See Finding God’s Will in Courtship and Marriage (Christian  Light Publications, PO Box 1212, Harrisonburg, VA 22803-1212); John Coblentz, Courtship that Glorifies God (Christian Light Publications); John Coblentz, Before You Say Your Vows (Christian Light Publications); John Coblentz, Looking at Myself Before Loving Someone Else (Christian Light Publications); A God-Fearing Courtship (Rod and Staff Publications, Box 3, Crockett, KY 41413).

[2][2] See our booklet, Devoting Your Body to God.