If you are like many people, you might have asked yourself “Where did sin come from?” Or, “If God is good, why is there sin and suffering in the world?”
Other people ask “If God is good, why did he create sin?”
Understanding the origin of sin is important in helping us to know our nature and the spiritual and physical dimensions surrounding us.
This article attempts to explain the origin of sin from a biblical perspective.
Origin of Sin in the Bible: Where Did Sin Come From?
The origin of sin is one of the deepest questions most Christians have.
According to 1 John 3:4, sin is defined as the breaking of God’s law, or lawlessness.
Therefore, any action which is contrary to God’s law is considered sinful.
People have defined sin as any detestable or repulsive act which is seen as evil, such as cruelty, aggression, hatred, and violence.
Isaiah 59:1-2 states that sin separates human beings from God.
Definition of sin according to the bible
The bible records in the book of 1 John 3:4 that “Whoever commits sin transgresses also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”
Therefore, sin is any violation or disobedience of God’s laws.
Was there sin when the world was created?
No.
According to Genesis 1:31, after God created the world, He said that everything that He had made was good and perfect.
If that is the case, then we must find out how it came into the world.
Who brought sin to the world?
Man committed sin at the first instance of disobedience.
In the book of Genesis 2:16-17, God commanded man not to eat of the fruit of knowledge of good and evil.
The moment Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate the forbidden fruit, sin came into the world.
However, Adam and Eve did not create sin. The bible states that the Devil beguiled Eve to eat the forbidden fruit and she gave the forbidden fruit to Adam.
Note that the Devil came to Eve in the form of a snake or serpent.
Therefore, Satan brought sin into the world.
Adam and Eve, by obeying Satan and disobeying God, sinned and thus brought sin upon the human race.
How did Satan come into this world?
The Genesis account of creation in the bible does not state how Satan came into the world.
So, where did the Devil come from?
The following bible verses can shed more light on the same.
First, according to Colossians 1:16, God created everything, the seen and the unseen.
Colossians 1:16—For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him.
And…
Proverbs 16:4—The LORD has made everything for its purpose, even the wicked for the day of trouble.
God created physical things that are visible such as man, animals and trees, and spiritual beings that are invisible, such as angels.
The Devil was created as the covering cherub that stays in the presence of God (Ezekiel 28:14).
However, sin was found in him mysteriously.
Ezekiel 28:15—Thou were perfect in thy ways from the day that thou was created, till iniquity was found in thee.
Pride was found in Satan because of his beauty (Ezekiel 28:17) and he lost his place in heaven.
In Revelation 12:7–13, the bible states that there was war in heaven by the Devil and his minions against God’s loyal angels.
The Devil and all the angels supporting him were thrown down into the earth.
Since God defeated the Devil, the Devil started looking for opportunities to afflict God’s creation as a form of revenge.
That is why Satan tempted Eve leading to the fall of man.
What do we have to do with the fall of Adam and Eve?
All people in the world descended from Adam and Eve. The fact that they sinned by transgressing God’s command made all people susceptible to sin. The original seed from which all human beings were formed was corrupted.
Transgression introduced God’s curse into the lives of God’s creation as recorded in Genesis 3:14-19
The original sin has led to all forms of sins and sufferings that are manifested daily in the lives of human beings.
Since all human beings were in the loins of Adam and Eve, all people are born in iniquity (Psalm 51:5, Romans 5:12), and are naturally inclined to sin against God (Ephesians 2:3), and have sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).
The nature of original sin
All human beings have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), and they have participated in the original sin by virtue of being descendants of Adam and Eve.
The consequence of sin is death. This means that all human beings were destined to die immediately Adam and Eve sinned as recorded in Romans 6:23. However, God saved us all through His grace as revealed in the death of His son Jesus Christ, who took away our sins.
Sin causes sins.
The original sin is no different from the sins that human beings commit such as stealing, murder, fornication, slander, adultery. The original sin was disobedience to God’s command that opened doors to the Devil’s control. All human beings commit sins because of the original sin.
One man’s disobedience brought sin to the entire human race and One Man’s obedience brought redemption to all human beings.
Romans 5:12 (KJV)—Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.
How did God deal with the Original Sin?
Disobedience to the law of God leads to death (Romans 6:23).
God did not let His precious creation, man, to wallow in sin.
He sent His only begotten son to die eternal death on behalf of human beings so that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16)
Therefore, the only way of escape from the punishment of the original sin is to repent and turn to Jesus Christ.
What about the daily sins that human beings commit?
According to 1 John 1:9, if anybody confesses his or her sins, our God is faithful and just and shall forgive all sins and cleanse any repentant person from all unrighteousness.
In Jude 24, the bible states that it is only God that is able to prevent us from sinning and to preserve and present us in His glorious presence without fault.
Is there anything like original sin in the bible?
While many people claim that the original sin is the sin that a person is born with, the bible states that all human beings are susceptible to sin because our descendants fell.
The original sin is the inherited vulnerability of human beings to think and do evil contrary to God’s commandments (Genesis 8:21, Matthew 15:19, and Mark 7:21 )
Is there hope for sinners?
Yes, there is hope for sinners. All sinners must forsake their sins, repent and follow Christ.
By one man sin came into the world (Romans 5:12); and by one man, Jesus Christ, sin has been destroyed.
All people must therefore learn to accept Christ as their Saviour and go to a place where they can learn more about the saving grace of Jesus Christ.
He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
Remember that only those who believe in Jesus Christ will receive eternal life.
There is no other name through which human beings can be saved from sin except by the name of Jesus Christ, the Messiah (Acts 4:12). That is why we approach God boldly, pray, and ask everything in the name of Jesus Christ.
Conclusion
The origin of sin precedes the creation of Adam and Eve.
Sin started in heaven when Lucifer (now called Satan or the Devil) became proud and wanted to exalt himself higher than God (Revelation 12:7).
Lucifer marshalled his angels (now called demons) and fought against God but they were defeated and cast out of heaven (Revelation 12:8).
Satan brought sin into this world when Adam and Eve obeyed him rather than God by eating the forbidden fruit, thus polluting the entire human race.
The penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). However, Jesus came into the world and died on behalf of mankind, conquering sin and restoring God’s glory into fallen human beings.
We are saved by accepting Jesus Christ’s redemptive work.