Topical Bible: Sin: should be Abhorred

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Topical Encyclopedia

Sin, in the Christian theological context, is any action, thought, or attitude that transgresses the divine law and the will of God. It is a fundamental concept in the Bible, representing a moral failing and a separation from God's holiness. The abhorrence of sin is a recurring theme throughout Scripture, emphasizing the need for believers to reject and detest sin in all its forms.

Biblical Foundation

The Bible consistently portrays sin as detestable to God and something that should be abhorred by His followers. In Proverbs 8:13, the fear of the Lord is described as hating evil: "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech." This verse underscores the necessity for believers to cultivate a deep-seated aversion to sin, aligning their hearts with God's own hatred for wickedness.

God's Hatred of Sin

God's holiness is incompatible with sin, and His righteous nature demands that sin be abhorred. Habakkuk 1:13 states, "Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing." This divine intolerance for sin is a call for believers to reflect God's character by rejecting sin in their own lives.

The Call to Abhor Sin

The New Testament reinforces the call to abhor sin. Romans 12:9 instructs believers, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This exhortation highlights the importance of genuine love that is accompanied by a strong aversion to evil. The apostle Paul encourages Christians to actively reject sin and pursue righteousness.

Consequences of Sin

The Bible warns of the dire consequences of sin, both in this life and the life to come. Romans 6:23 declares, "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." This verse serves as a stark reminder of the ultimate penalty of sin, urging believers to abhor it and seek the life-giving grace found in Jesus Christ.

Repentance and Forgiveness

While sin is to be abhorred, the Bible also offers hope through repentance and forgiveness. 1 John 1:9 assures believers, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." This promise of forgiveness encourages believers to turn away from sin and seek restoration with God.

Practical Application

Abhorring sin involves a conscious effort to avoid temptation and to live a life that honors God. Ephesians 5:11 advises, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." Believers are called to separate themselves from sinful practices and to shine the light of truth in a world darkened by sin.

Conclusion

The Bible's call to abhor sin is a vital aspect of the Christian faith, urging believers to align their lives with God's holiness and to reject anything that contradicts His righteous standards. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, Christians are empowered to detest sin and to live in a manner that reflects their identity as children of God.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 12:9
Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; hold to that which is good.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Sloth is a Sin?
... work, as appears from a gloss on Ps.106:18, "Their soul abhorred all manner ... Objection
4: Sin is ever to be shunned, but the assaults of sin should be overcome ...
//christianbookshelf.org/aquinas/summa theologica/whether sloth is a sin.htm

Whether a Movement of the Free Will against Sin is Required for ...
... It must also abhor sin. ... Rather should he forget them, lest he be drawn to them. But
he ought to take note of them in thought as things to be abhorred, for thus ...
/.../aquinas/nature and grace/article five whether a movement.htm

Of Sin by Imputation and Propagation.
... in it, and truly heathens have so abhorred unthankfulness towards ... But that such a
fruit should grow out of such a ... and you shall find it the heaviest sin in the ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/lecture xxiv of sin by.htm

The Sin-Bearer.
... and life go after perfection, but sin is abhorred of our ... But our Lord's sin-bearing
has also brought us into life ... Our Lord's object is "that we should live unto ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/till he come/the sin-bearer.htm

Christ --Our Substitute
... He is abhorred, cast away; it hath pleased the Father to ... God will not keep him in
life"how should he? ... the meetest thing in the world that sin should be buried ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 6 1860/christour substitute.htm

The Shame and Spitting
... His worst foes were they of His own household; they despised and abhorred Him, and ...
being found bearing that sin He had to be treated as sin should be treated. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 25 1879/the shame and spitting.htm

Man's Ruin and God's Remedy
... mercy and accept grace through him;" I should not be ... Jesus behold the sinner's
substitute"the sin-offering. ... Jehovah hath cast off and abhorred; he hath been ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 5 1859/mans ruin and gods remedy.htm

Curiosity a Temptation to Sin.
... Eve gazed and reflected when she should have fled. ... We treat sin, not as an enemy
to be feared, abhorred, and shunned, but as a misfortune and a weakness ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon v curiosity a temptation.htm

St. Augustine (Ad 354-430)
... as to this, we may be sure that he would have abhorred the cruelties ... in church on
Ash Wednesday, and which especially express sorrow for sin)" should be hung ...
/.../chapter xxi st augustine ad.htm

The Wisdom of God
... sins of men shall carry on God's work; yet he should have no ... action in which sin
is, but not in the sin of the ... but as it was a sinful action, so God abhorred it ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a body of divinity/5 the wisdom of god.htm