Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest
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Sin, in its essence, is a transgression against the divine law and the will of God. It is an act of rebellion that separates humanity from the holiness of God. While sin can often be subtle and hidden, it is sometimes open and manifest, evident in the actions and behaviors of individuals and communities. The Bible provides numerous examples of such overt sin, serving as warnings and lessons for believers.

Biblical Examples of Open and Manifest Sin

1. The Sin of Sodom and Gomorrah: The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah are quintessential examples of open and manifest sin. Their iniquity was so great that it cried out to God for judgment. Genesis 18:20 states, "Then the LORD said, 'The outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great. Their sin is so grievous.'" The blatant immorality and lack of righteousness in these cities led to their ultimate destruction by divine intervention.

2. The Golden Calf Incident: In Exodus 32, the Israelites openly sinned by creating and worshiping a golden calf while Moses was on Mount Sinai receiving the Law. This act of idolatry was a direct violation of God's commandments. Exodus 32:8 records God's words: "They have quickly turned aside from the way I commanded them. They have made for themselves a molten calf, have bowed down to it, and sacrificed to it."

3. The Rebellion of Korah: Numbers 16 recounts the rebellion of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram against Moses and Aaron. This was a public and defiant act against God's appointed leaders. Numbers 16:3 describes their challenge: "They came together against Moses and Aaron and told them, 'You have gone too far! All the congregation is holy, every one of them, and the LORD is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the LORD?'"

4. The Sin of Achan: In Joshua 7, Achan's sin of taking forbidden items from Jericho was initially hidden but became manifest when Israel faced defeat at Ai. Joshua 7:20-21 reveals Achan's confession: "It is true, I have sinned against the LORD, the God of Israel. This is what I did: When I saw among the spoils a beautiful cloak from Shinar, two hundred shekels of silver, and a bar of gold weighing fifty shekels, I coveted them and took them."

5. The Adultery of David: King David's sin with Bathsheba, as recorded in 2 Samuel 11, was initially concealed but became manifest through the consequences and the confrontation by the prophet Nathan. 2 Samuel 12:9 highlights Nathan's rebuke: "Why then have you despised the command of the LORD by doing evil in His sight? You struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and took his wife as your own."

Characteristics of Open and Manifest Sin

Open and manifest sin is characterized by its visibility and the lack of shame or repentance by those committing it. It often involves a public defiance of God's commandments and can lead to severe consequences both for individuals and communities. Such sin is not only a personal affront to God but can also lead others astray, causing a ripple effect of unrighteousness.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, open and manifest sin underscores the fallen nature of humanity and the need for divine intervention and redemption. It highlights the importance of accountability, repentance, and the transformative power of God's grace. The Bible consistently calls believers to live lives of holiness, resisting the temptation to engage in or condone open sin.

Scriptural Warnings and Exhortations

The Scriptures provide numerous warnings against open sin and exhortations to pursue righteousness. Proverbs 28:13 advises, "He who conceals his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them will find mercy." Similarly, 1 John 1:9 offers hope: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

In summary, while sin can sometimes be hidden, the Bible is replete with examples and teachings on the dangers and consequences of open and manifest sin. Believers are called to vigilance, repentance, and a steadfast commitment to God's righteous standards.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
1 Timothy 5:24
Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Whether Augustine Fittingly Defines Confession?
... man, may sometimes have knowledge of the penitent's sin, yet he ... vicar of Christ
(even as a judge sometimes knows a ... the external act may be in the open, yet the ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether augustine fittingly defines confession.htm

The Sin against the Holy Ghost.
... We open the discussion by emphasizing that no child ... or in holy meditation, suggestions
sometimes flash through ... come (Hebrews 6.. To commit this sin two things ...
/.../kuyper/the work of the holy spirit/xxxvii the sin against the.htm

A Letter on the Sin against the Holy Ghost to John Uytenbogard ...
... of God afresh and put him to an open shame." It is ... is sometimes denominated the Son
of Man and sometimes the Son ... he will be able to say that a sin is committed ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 2/a letter on the sin.htm

The Way of Fellowship
... that the light of God shows up as sin, we can ... Are we willing to be in the open with
our brother"and ... This may sometimes be humbling, but it will help us to a ...
//christianbookshelf.org/hession/the calvary road/chapter 3 the way of.htm

Characters Will be Disclosed, and Justice Awarded.
... them on the whole, the servants of sin, and consequently ... but we understand not."
We wonder sometimes at what ... every hidden purpose will be laid open, and every ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xvi characters will be.htm

Answering the Reasons which those Ministers Give, which Hinder the ...
... True it is, that to much familiarity is sometimes the occasion ... from it, when they
have no Mortal sin to indispose em ... see that when Gods hand is so open in giving ...
/.../chap ii answering the reasons.htm

Whether the Sixteen Conditions Usually Assigned are Necessary for ...
... But satisfaction is sometimes public ... words, and against this confession is said to
be "open," so as ... such matters as affect the gravity of the sin; fourthly none ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the sixteen conditions usually.htm

The Wages of Sin
... the infliction of penalty, and force open unwilling eyes ... Can no sin be committed
by inferiors against ... the younger and smaller are sometimes under obligations to ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/finney/sermons on gospel themes/iii the wages of sin.htm

Knox -- the First Temptation of Christ
... have pardoned so many and so manifest transgressions committed ... therefore, altho we
are laid open sometimes, as it ... law came the knowledge of sin, the damnation ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons volume i/knox the first temptation.htm

Christ the Breaker
... as you feel sometimes"and you all feel sometimes"the catch ... is gone up before us,'
the prison gates are open. ... The Scripture hath shut up all in sin, that He ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/christ the breaker.htm

Resources
What is the definition of sin? | GotQuestions.org

The Study of Sin ' Article Index | GotQuestions.org

If Jesus paid the price for our sin, why do we still suffer the consequences of our sin? | GotQuestions.org

Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Sin

Sin Against the Holy Spirit

Sin Being Equal

Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord

Sin is of the Devil

Sin is the Transgression of the Law

Sin Money

Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning

Sin of Eli's Household

Sin Offering

Sin: A City of Egypt

Sin: Against Knowledge

Sin: Against the Body

Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages

Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In

Sin: All Men are Shapen In

Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are

Sin: All Unrighteousness Is

Sin: Attempt to Cover, Vain

Sin: Babylon

Sin: Besetting

Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of

Sin: Christ Alone Was Without

Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away

Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From

Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From

Sin: Coming from the Heart

Sin: Confession of

Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of

Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children

Sin: Conspiracy

Sin: Dead Works

Sin: Death, the Punishment of

Sin: Death, the Wages of

Sin: Deceitful

Sin: Defiles

Sin: Defiling

Sin: Degrees In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In

Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through

Sin: Disgraceful

Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam

Sin: Excludes from Heaven

Sin: Fools Mock At

Sin: Forgiveness of

Sin: Fruits of

Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For

Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By

Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By

Sin: God: Abominates

Sin: God: Alone Can Forgive

Sin: God: Marks

Sin: God: Punishes

Sin: God: Recompenses

Sin: God: Remembers

Sin: Guilt of Concerning

Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar

Sin: Ignorant

Sin: Israel's

Sin: Jealousy

Sin: Known to God

Sin: Leads to Disease

Sin: Leads to Disquiet

Sin: Leads to Shame

Sin: Like Scarlet and Crimson

Sin: Little Sins

Sin: Love of

Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake

Sin: Murder

Sin: National, Punishment of

Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of

Sin: No Man Can Atone For

Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From

Sin: No Man is Without

Sin: None in Heaven

Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People

Sin: Often Manifold

Sin: Often Mighty

Sin: Often Presumptuous

Sin: Often Very Great

Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is

Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For

Sin: Pleasures of

Sin: Prayer Hindered By

Sin: Progressive

Sin: Punishment of

Sin: Reaching to Heaven

Sin: Rebellion Against God

Sin: Redeemed

Sin: Reproaching the Lord

Sin: Repugnant to God

Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People

Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of

Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed

Sin: Saints: Cannot Live In

Sin: Saints: Dead To

Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them

Sin: Saints: Made Free From

Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From

Sin: Saints: Resolve Against

Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under

Sin: Secret Sins

Sin: Separates from God

Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked

Sin: should be Abhorred

Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance

Sin: should be Confessed

Sin: should be Departed From

Sin: should be Guarded Against

Sin: should be Hated

Sin: should be Mortified

Sin: should be Mourned Over

Sin: should be Put Away

Sin: should be Striven Against

Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed

Sin: Sinfulness of

Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest

Sin: Sometimes Secret

Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting

Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates

Sin: The Egyptians

Sin: The Entangling

Sin: The Fear of God Restrains

Sin: The Fruit of Lust

Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of

Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of

Sin: The Israelites

Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up

Sin: The Law is the Strength of

Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every

Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of

Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of

Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain

Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of

Sin: The Sodomites

Sin: The Sting of Death

Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is

Sin: The Unpardonable

Sin: The Wicked: Boast of

Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From

Sin: The Wicked: Dead In

Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing

Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit

Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In

Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity

Sin: The Wicked: Excuse

Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In

Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do

Sin: The Wicked: Heap Up

Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In

Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At

Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For

Sin: The Wicked: Servants To

Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of

Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To

Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God

Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others

Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God

Sin: The Word of God Keeps From

Sin: To be Hated

Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In

Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our

Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts

Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is

Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death

Sin: Works of Darkness

Related Terms

Sin-offerings (8 Occurrences)

Sin's (3 Occurrences)

Sin-money (1 Occurrence)

Sin-offering (115 Occurrences)

Sinlessness

Committing (30 Occurrences)

Kid (42 Occurrences)

Sinoffering

Commits (39 Occurrences)

Confessed (19 Occurrences)

Cord (47 Occurrences)

Committeth (22 Occurrences)

Sinneth (25 Occurrences)

Afford (12 Occurrences)

Suffice (22 Occurrences)

Sinning (59 Occurrences)

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Continual (55 Occurrences)

Sinful (61 Occurrences)

Blot (23 Occurrences)

Convict (12 Occurrences)

Atone (8 Occurrences)

Sting (5 Occurrences)

Slaughtereth (13 Occurrences)

Confession (22 Occurrences)

Azazel (3 Occurrences)

Slaves (119 Occurrences)

Conception (6 Occurrences)

Year-old (6 Occurrences)

Contrite (5 Occurrences)

Contrition (1 Occurrence)

Covet (14 Occurrences)

Coveting (3 Occurrences)

Advocate (7 Occurrences)

Atoned (8 Occurrences)

Sinfulness (3 Occurrences)

Slaughtered (72 Occurrences)

Apostate (5 Occurrences)

Sinner (88 Occurrences)

Yearling (48 Occurrences)

Commit (142 Occurrences)

Adultery (49 Occurrences)

Salvation (386 Occurrences)

Agony (20 Occurrences)

Burnt-offering (205 Occurrences)

Slaughter (121 Occurrences)

Committed (201 Occurrences)

Bullock (95 Occurrences)

Confess (65 Occurrences)

Conscious (93 Occurrences)

Shown (131 Occurrences)

Community (77 Occurrences)

Blemish (71 Occurrences)

Covetous (11 Occurrences)

Convicted (4 Occurrences)

Carnal (11 Occurrences)

Charging (27 Occurrences)

Cloke (7 Occurrences)

Concupiscence (3 Occurrences)

Afforded (2 Occurrences)

Acquittal (7 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Advantage (44 Occurrences)

Abides (37 Occurrences)

Sennacherib (13 Occurrences)

Serving (85 Occurrences)

Sincere (18 Occurrences)

Stands (111 Occurrences)

Seizing (7 Occurrences)

Can't (180 Occurrences)

Sentence (53 Occurrences)

Claim (30 Occurrences)

Attack (221 Occurrences)

Sincerity (17 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Kinds (110 Occurrences)

Astray (116 Occurrences)

Sin: Sinfulness of
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