Understanding Sin
Sin, according to Scripture, is more than a list of wrong actions—it is the breaking of God's law and a rebellion against His perfect will. The Bible says, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness" (1 John 3:4).
Sin first entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When they ate from the tree God had forbidden, they introduced sin into the human experience (Genesis 3:6–7). Scripture explains, "Just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned" (Romans 5:12).
The result is universal: "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). No one is exempt. Recognizing this truth helps us understand why we cannot reach God on our own.
Acknowledging sin is not meant to bring hopelessness but to awaken truth. Only by seeing our condition clearly can we begin to grasp our need for mercy and restoration.
Step 1 – Understand that everyone has fallen short and is a sinner.