Non-Deadly Sin

1 John 5:16-17 tells us that there is such a thing as a sin that does not result in death. The Bible doesn't really say any more on the matter, but I believe there are some clues in the story of the first sin that did result in death (If you don't know the story of Adam and Eve, read it in Genesis 3).

Ever notice how Adam and Eve didn’t have any children until after they were banned from the garden? God told them to "be fruitful and multiply" as soon as woman was created. In fact, the name “Eve” means "mother of all the living;" but Adam didn’t give her that prophetic name until after they had sinned. Until then he just called her “woman” because she had been taken "out of man." He wasn’t speaking destiny over his wife when he should have been.

They weren’t trying to be disobedient--they didn’t even really know what sin was. But I think we sometimes find ourselves in a similar condition--sinning in ignorance. The Apostle John said that there is a form of sin which does not lead to death and there is another form that does. Here, I believe, is proof. Adam and Eve’s first sin was not the blatant disobedience we often cite about them eating the forbidden fruit. It was other things that they did without realizing they were wrong. Things that didn’t lead to death. Things that God corrected in relationship with them. I know this steps on some theological toes, but hear me out. Yes, the world was technically perfect before Adam and Eve ate the fruit; but it was not without sin. Uh-oh...now I’m in deeper...

But think about it. Does it make sense to think that Adam and Eve had "free will" in reference to the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, but no "free will" in reference to anything else? Do you think they were robots that weren’t capable of making a wrong decision except when it came to eating? No way! Mistakes happen all the time; that’s part of having free will. But these were mistakes, or "sins," that did NOT lead to death. God was being a loving Father. He taught, corrected, and trained. He raised Adam and Eve as His children. Love covers a multitude of sins.

Most of us have probably heard that all sin is equal in God’s eyes. That’s not entirely true. It’s not in the Bible; it’s just our way of convincing people that whether you lied or murdered is irrelevant--both lead to death. The truth is that all willful sin is equal in its result. A person’s choice to separate himself from the life of God will undoubtedly lead to spiritual death. That’s why the sacrifice of Jesus is so crucial. Relying on Him means He takes the penalty of death in your place. But when it comes to the incidental sins that come with the territory of free will, John shows a very different solution:

If anyone sees his brother commit a sin that does not lead to death, he should pray and God will give him life. I refer to those whose sin does not lead to death. There is a sin that leads to death. I am not saying that he should pray about that. All wrongdoing is sin, and there is a sin that does not lead to death (1 John 5:16-17, NIV).

Sin equals separation. If I sin against you, I’ve separated myself from you. If I sin against God, I’ve separated myself from Him. Sin is separation, and separation is sin. Some separation leads to death--like willful disobedience. Other separation does not.

Perhaps the easiest way to think of such "non-deadly" sin is as "distraction." Distraction is a form of separation. Adam and Eve were possibly so caught up with the wonder of God’s creation that they never got around to fulfilling His purpose. He wanted them to multiply, but that never happened while they were in the garden. Sometimes we too get distracted from God’s vision--even by good things. This won’t send us on a one-way ticket to hell, but it will bring correction from the Lord. Sin number one is distraction from God’s vision.

Sin number two is distraction from God’s order. God established man as a spiritual covering for woman. When was Eve led astray by the serpent? When was she tempted? In broad daylight while Adam stood by silently (notice how it says she gave some fruit to the man who was with her). We often unwittingly throw God’s order out the window by simply getting distracted. It happens in marriages, but also in the Church. Christ is the Head of the Church, but often we put all our faith in people like pastors or other leaders. Sometimes God still moves in that environment as He tries to bring us back to proper order, but it is spiritually limiting at best.

Sin number three was distraction from God’s thoughts. All they had known up to that point was what God had already told them. It wasn’t the temptation itself that was the sin; it was the fact that they entertained the thought of it. They separated themselves from what they knew to be trustworthy and true in order to believe a lie. Often times we’re tempted to do something, and we immediately shift our focus back to God. We defeat that temptation. Other times, though, we think about it for a while. We ponder how we could get away with it. For instance, we might ruminate on a possible lie until we think it’s air-tight enough to tell. Even if we don’t go through with it, it’s separation from God’s thoughts; and it will more often than not lead to greater willful sin.

Do you have any areas of your life in which non-deadly sin has started creeping in? Are you focused on God's vision for your life? Are you submitted to God's divine order? Are you "putting on the mind of Christ?" Falling short in these areas won't ruin your salvation, but it will hold you back from fulfilling your God-given purpose. If you see any shortcomings, I encourage you to repent and get your life on track with the One who can keep you from falling!