The progression of sin

The progression of sin

Scripture:- Yet they obeyed not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do; but they did them not. Jeremiah 11:8

Observation:- In Jeremiah’s discourse to the people, the Lord declared in this verse three things that the people of Judah did wrong in breaking the covenant with the Lord. Firstly, they did not obey. Secondly, they did not listen. Thirdly, they walked according to their evil heart.

The first sin, the sin of disobedience gives us the picture of a person knowing a law but purposely breaking it. For example, a boy has been told not to steal, but still goes ahead and steals. He knows the law, he knows it is wrong, but still goes ahead and does it.

The second sin, not listening, is the sin of rebellion. One gets the image of a mother scolding a child for some mischief, but the child just ignores her or lets the words go in one ear and come out the other.

The third sin, living according to one’s own pleasure is outright lawlessness. The child has totally no regard for rules or right and wrong anymore but goes out and does whatever appeals to him. The result is recklessness and total disregard for morality and justice.

We can see here that there is a progression of sins:- First, law-breaking, then a hardening of the heart, and then, total disregard for one’s conscience. In Romans 1, Paul talks about this degeneration. Although God’s qualities and existence was clear to all from His creation, men did not glorify God or expressed thanks to Him but instead in their vain imaginations, made and worshipped images of men and animals. So God gave them up to vile affections, so that men and women did even things against the laws of nature.   

Application:- Some of us may be trapped in a particular area of disobedience. The Holy Spirit may be speaking to us to come out and repent. We need to listen to God’s voice and change. If we continue hardening our hearts, it is a matter of time before we degrade into worse and worse conditions of sin.

Prayer: Lord, you know my heart and all my thoughts. Forgive me, O Lord, in the area where I am disobedient to You. Set me free by the power of Your blood, Lord Jesus, and help me walk in the right way. I bless you and thank You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.