Definition and Overview:
Collusion in sin refers to the act of conspiring or collaborating with others to commit acts that are contrary to God's commandments. This concept is rooted in the understanding that sin is not only an individual act but can also be a collective endeavor, where individuals or groups work together to achieve sinful objectives. The Bible provides numerous examples and warnings against such behavior, emphasizing the importance of personal and communal righteousness.

Biblical Examples:

1. The Fall of Man (Genesis 3): The first instance of collusion in sin is seen in the Garden of Eden. Eve, tempted by the serpent, eats the forbidden fruit and then gives some to Adam, who also eats. This act of disobedience was a joint effort that led to the fall of humanity. Genesis 3:6 states, "When the woman saw that the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eyes, and that it was desirable for obtaining wisdom, she took the fruit and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it."

2. The Tower of Babel (Genesis 11:1-9): The people of Babel conspired to build a tower to reach the heavens, defying God's command to fill the earth. Their collective pride and ambition led to their downfall, as God confused their language and scattered them across the earth. This account illustrates how collusion in sin can lead to divine judgment.

3. Joseph's Brothers (Genesis 37): Joseph's brothers conspired to harm him out of jealousy. Initially planning to kill him, they ultimately sold him into slavery. This act of collusion was driven by envy and resulted in years of suffering for Joseph, though God used it for a greater purpose. Genesis 37:18-20 recounts, "Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. 'Here comes that dreamer!' they said to one another. 'Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits.'"

4. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11): This New Testament account describes a husband and wife who colluded to deceive the early church by lying about the proceeds from the sale of their property. Their sin was not just the act of lying but the agreement to deceive the Holy Spirit. Acts 5:9 states, "Then Peter said to her, 'How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord? Look! The feet of the men who buried your husband are at the door, and they will carry you out also.'"

Theological Implications:

Collusion in sin highlights the communal aspect of sin and the responsibility of individuals to resist participating in or endorsing sinful actions. The Bible warns against being complicit in the sins of others, as seen in Ephesians 5:11 : "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This verse underscores the call for believers to stand against sin, even when it involves confronting others.

Moral and Ethical Considerations:

From a moral standpoint, collusion in sin is a violation of the call to holiness and righteousness. It involves a deliberate choice to engage in or support actions that are contrary to God's will. Proverbs 1:10-15 warns against joining with sinners: "My son, if sinners entice you, do not yield to them. If they say, 'Come along, let us lie in wait for blood, let us ambush the innocent without cause...' do not walk in the way with them or set foot on their path."

Practical Applications:

Believers are encouraged to be vigilant against collusion in sin by maintaining a strong personal relationship with God, seeking wisdom and discernment, and fostering accountability within the Christian community. Hebrews 3:13 advises, "But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness." This exhortation emphasizes the importance of mutual encouragement and accountability to prevent falling into sin collectively.Leviticus 20:4,5
And if the people of the land do any ways hide their eyes from the man, when he gives of his seed to Molech, and kill him not:
Nave's Topical Index

Whether an Accusation is Rendered Unjust by Calumny, Collusion or ...
... a sin being punished. This again happens in two ways: first by having recourse to
fraud in making the accusation. This belongs to collusion [prevaricatio] for ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an accusation is rendered.htm

Whether it is Lawful for the Accused to Defend Himself with ...
... are worthy of death . . . that consent" to those who sin"-it is evident that the
accused also sins if he is guilty of collusion with his adversary. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether it is lawful for 7.htm

Of the Manifold Abuse of Speech.
... tongue to a frivolous excuse, which was much less able to cover his sin than the ...
Abraham used a repeated collusion in the case of his wife, and exposed his own ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section ii of the manifold.htm

Blasphemous Accusations of the Jews.
... It is an argument against the idea that there was a collusion between Christ and
Satan. ... It is the worst form of sin, as we see by this passage. ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/xlviii blasphemous accusations of the.htm

Contention Over the Man Born Blind.
... were sinners, but neither their sin nor the beggar's own sin had caused ... as prophet
suggested to those cunning diplomats that there was collusion between Jesus ...
/.../mcgarvey/the four-fold gospel/lxxxi contention over the man.htm

Why we Believe the Bible.
... The perfect agreement of their writings could not, therefore, be the result
of any collusion between them. ... How came sin in the world? ...
/.../the way of salvation in the lutheran church/chapter i why we believe.htm

The Swiss Reformer.
... God is in unison with itself, since both of us, without any collusion, teach the ...
Every sin had its price, and men were granted free license for crime, if the ...
/.../white/the great controversy between christ and satan /9 the swiss reformer.htm

The Swiss Reformer
... of God is in unison with itself, since both of us, without any collusion, teach
the ... Every sin had its price, and men were granted free license for crime if the ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 9 the swiss reformer.htm

Words with a Freshly Honed Razor-Edge.
... Jesus is charged with Satanic collusion. ... This sentence through gives the process
whereby the man with sin grained into the fibre of his will may come into such ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on prayer/words with a freshly honed.htm

Whether an Accuser who Fails to Prove his Indictment is Bound to ...
... Objection 3: Further, the one same sin does not deserve a twofold punishment ... But
if the accuser desist from accusing an innocent man, through collusion with the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether an accuser who fails.htm

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