What Does It Mean to Have a Sin Nature?
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Have you ever wondered why parents must discipline their little children? Have you ever felt uneasy when you make the choice to sleep in and miss church? Maybe you are a Christian who has neglected reading your Bible or praying because you just do not make time for it. All these actions are prevalent in our lives because we have a sin nature.
Sin nature is a theological term that many of us have heard before. The term is used to describe why we act the way we act. It answers the question of why that precious child is misbehaving or why we are making sleep a priority over church.
You may have heard the term “sin nature,” but do we really understand what it means and where it comes from? I want to define the term “sin nature,” discuss its origins, and examine what the Bible says about it. What can we do to work to overcome our sin nature?
Sin Nature Defined
The term “sin nature” is the natural ability to commit sin. It describes the desire to want to commit sin and the free will of man to choose for or against sin.
Sin nature is ever present in our lives. Every sinful action is initiated by our minds. It is what makes us a rebellious people against God. Romans 3:23 states “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Henry Clarence Thiessen says, “Sin is present in everyone as a nature before it expresses itself in deeds.”
Where Does the Term “Sin Nature” Come From?
“Sin nature” is not a term you will read in your Bible. It is a biblical topic that emerged when Augustine of Hippo was living and teaching in the ancient world. In 383 BC, Augustine of Hippo converted to Christianity and later became a bishop in Hippo. Augustine thought a lot about why people sin when they know better. It was Augustine who produced the idea of “original sin.”
Original sin says we are all born with sin. We all tend to do things that feel good to us. The idea of original sin morphed into the notion that humanity has a sin nature. Augustine went as far as to say that man is in a permanent state of “akrasia” or weakness of will.
Theologians throughout the centuries have continued to discuss the impairment of our ability to make good choices. Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden compromised our natural ability to choose God over self. As long as we live on this earth, we are not going to successfully overcome our sinful temptations.
Fast forward to the Protestant Reformation in the 14th and 15th centuries and theologians such as John Calvin, Martin Luther, Huldrych Zwingli, and Heinrich Bullinger are discussing the same issue Augustine of Hippo was wrestling with. The notion of “total depravity” emerges and solidifies the Bible’s take on sin nature. It acknowledges that the Bible does teach that because of the fall of man, every part of man is corrupted by sin. The outward actions of man may be good, but they may not be for the glory of God.
What Does the Bible Say about Our Sin Nature?
I stated previously that you will not read the words “sin nature” in your Bibles. This is true, but our Bibles do speak directly to our sin and ability to let sin become a major player in our lives.
The following verses are just a sampling of what the Bible says about our sin nature.
“Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me” (Psalm 51:5).
“We all went astray like sheep; we all have turned to our own way; and the Lord has punished him for the iniquity of us all” (Isaiah 53:6).
“The mindset of the flesh is hostile to God because it does not submit to God’s law. Indeed it is unable to do so. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God” (Romans 8:7-8).
“Jesus responded, ‘Truly I tell you, everyone who commits sin is a slave to sin’” (John 8:34).
“If we say we have no sin we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us” (1 John 1:8).
When God created man, he stated that we were good, but he also gave us free will. He told Adam and Eve not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil, but he did not force them to obey. If he did not want them to have a choice, then why would God have placed that tree in the garden?
Adam’s sin created a separation from God that has resulted in the existence and curse of a sin nature. His sin put us under the control of the world we live in.
The light at the end of this dark tunnel is that God did not give up on us. He continues to give us free will, but we have a way to renew our hearts and minds. We can become a new creation.
“Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
How Can I Overcome My Sin Nature?
Until the Lord returns, we will be in a constant battle with sin. Jesus is the only way to overcome our sin nature. While we wait for the glorious return of our Lord, there are some actions we can take to work toward overcoming our sin nature.
First, we must walk in the Spirit. The Spirit will guide us in the right direction. When we choose to ignore the Spirit, we are stifling it (1Thessalonians 5:19). When Peter denied Christ three times, he was not walking in the Spirit. When he chose to walk in the Spirit, he began preaching to the Jews at Pentecost. When we walk in the Holy Spirit our flesh will not take control. We will become the servants of Christ we should be.
Secondly, we need to acknowledge the Bible as God’s Word and read it every day. Everything we need to know is found in these pages. God’s word is our helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17). Just reading the Bible is important, but we should also strive to memorize, meditate on, and apply the teachings of God to our lives.
Thirdly, we must make prayer a priority. Prayer is how we communicate with God. It is through prayer that we receive instruction and guidance. Prayer helps us receive encouragement and strength. Jesus even told his disciples in the garden to stay awake and pray (Matthew 26:41). Prayer is vital.
Lastly, find a church family. The church is where you find like-minded believers. It is a place where you can share your concerns, praises, and questions. When Jesus commissioned his disciples, he told them to go out two by two (Matthew 6:7). He knew we could not walk this journey alone. We would need each other for so many reasons (Proverbs 27:17).
Striving each day to overcome your sin nature is not always easy, but with God all things are possible. We are freely given the gift of salvation that comes with the battle armor of God. John Calvin said, “For certainly, Christ is much more powerful to save than Adam was to ruin.” I must agree that we serve a mighty God who will lead us to a mighty victory against sin.
Photo credit: ©Getty Images/Ben-Schonewille
