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Who Is Responsible For Sin?
Sermonette by David C. GrabbeThe belief that Satan is the author of human sin has been widely accepted, yet it does not originate from the word of God. While Satan deceives and broadcasts his attitudes, influencing mankind with destructive material for decisions, the responsibility for sin remains with each individual. God's word emphasizes that mankind has free moral agency, and even under Satan's sway as the ruler of this world, the choice to sin is ours. Scriptures such as James 1 reveal that sin arises from our own desires, not from Satan's authorship, highlighting that the problem lies within the human heart. God holds each person accountable for their own sins, as seen in Ezekiel 18, where the guilt of the father is not borne by the son, nor vice versa. Even when influenced by a spiritual father like the devil, as Jesus Christ states in John 8:44, individuals are responsible for their actions and must choose to reject sinful ways. Similarly, I John 3:8-9 contrasts a life of sin aligned with the devil against a life born of God, indicating that consistent wrong choices reflect one's spiritual alignment, not Satan's direct causation of sin. In Genesis 3:17, God identifies Adam's sin as resulting from heeding his wife's voice, not from Satan authoring it, and Romans 5:12 confirms that sin entered the world through Adam, not through Satan. God does not accept attempts to shift blame, as seen with Adam and Eve, and there is no biblical concept of divided guilt or partial sin. Leviticus 5:17 states that a person who sins, even in ignorance or under deception, is fully guilty and bears their iniquity, with no provision for splitting the penalty with another. The notion that Satan bears part of the blame for mankind's sins, to be placed on him at Jesus Christ's return, contradicts the biblical principle of individual accountability. There is no scriptural support for the idea of a co-sinner or for Christ paying only for our part of a sin while leaving Satan's part unatoned. True repentance requires full acknowledgment of personal guilt, as God's word teaches that each man's sins are his own, and Satan's sins are his own. The danger lies not in Satan forcing us to sin, but in our own choice to sin, incurring the death penalty through our decisions.
Coveting and the Roots of Sin
CGG Weekly by Richard T. RitenbaughThe tenth commandment confirms that God has not just forbidden external acts but that His aim is to curtail the sinful attitudes that motivate the acts.
Principled Living (Part Two): Conquering Sin
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughChrist warns that we must do everything possible to annihilate sin - surgically going right to the heart or mind: the level of thought and imagination.
Sin (Part Three)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough influenced by Satan and the world, sin is still a personal choice. Christ's sacrifice and God's Spirit provide our only defense against its pulls.
Sin (Part One)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThough relatively neutral at its inception, human nature is subject to a deadly magnetic pull toward self-centeredness, deceit, and sin.
Do You Take Sin Seriously? God Does!
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe demise of an institution can result from the irresponsibility of its constituents; if one member sins, the whole body experiences the effects.
God's Simple Commands
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)God puts His commands in such clear terminology that no one can retort with 'yes, but....' We continue to sin because we do not really believe what He says.
Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Six)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)To keep us secure from the temptations of the world, we must embrace our metaphorical sister, Wisdom, keeping us focused on our relationship with God.
Unsheathe Your Sword! (Part Two)
'Ready Answer' by Pat HigginsGod promises the overcomer, victor, or conqueror the status of son of God. To accomplish this, we must use our sword, God's Word, to vanquish the foe.
Leadership and Covenants (Part Seven)
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughOur sinful nature drives us to disobey God's laws, just as Adam and Eve transgressed by choosing the way of death. Such choices have made this evil world.
Wilderness Wanderings (Part One)
Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Israel's trek was not only a physical journey, but a mental wandering caused by rejecting God's leadership. The potential to sin is a test of resolve.
God's Rest (Part 3)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughLust begets a guilty conscience, agitation, anxiety, depression, grief, torment. Wrong desire leads to lying, adultery, and murder—eventually leading to death.
Dancing With the Devil's World
Commentary by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)Unlike most Millennials, obsessed with acceptance by their peers, Jesus did not mind being a loner because He loved the things His Father taught.
'But I Say to You' (Part Two): Murder and Anger
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughMurder originates in the heart. Nothing from the outside defiles a man but originates in the heart governed by carnal human nature.
Boundaries, Incursions, Migrations, and God (Part One)
Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by John W. RitenbaughThe globalist enemies of language, borders, and culture have made themselves enemies of the will of God, who set up boundaries for all the children of Adam.
'But I Say to You' (Part Three): Adultery
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughIn the current culture war, progressives have declared war against God's seventh commandment by encouraging free sex, homosexuality, and other perversions.
The Leaven of Double-Mindedness
CGG Weekly by Joshua MontgomeryChristians must deal with double-mindedness because the flesh and spirit contend for our hearts. We overcome it by being of one mind with Christ.
God's Rest (Part 4)
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughCoveting—lust—is a fountainhead of many other sins. Desiring things is not wrong, but desiring someone else's things promotes overtly sinful behavior.
The Beast and Babylon (Part Nine): Babylon the Great
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughFor being a religious book, the Bible contains an unusual number of references to harlotry! Yet they provide understanding of the great harlot of Revelation.