Why does man sin?
Introduction. There are multiple answers to our question. First of all, let us consider what sin is. "Every one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness" (ASV, 1 John 3: 4). Sin (hamartia) is basically missing the mark or not doing what God's word teaches. Hence, God's word is indispensable.
Man does not have to sin. Some mistakenly believe that man sins because he has no choice, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...," urged Joshua of old (Josh. 24: 15). God did not create man a sinner with a propensity for sin which could not be overcome. Neither did God arrange for the inheritance of the Adamic sin to pass upon all men so they are sinners by unalterable "nature." (Cf. Ezek. 18.)
Some sin through ignorance. Ignorance - not knowing God's word - is a common cause of sin. Saul thought he should do many things contrary to Jesus' name (Acts 26: 9, 23: 1). Saul sinned ignorantly (1 Tim. 1: 13). Even though Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) ignorantly sinned, he was lost (1 Tim. 1: 13-15, Acts 22:16).
Some sin deliberately. Jesus said of some: "...men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3: 19). "For every one," he continues, "that doeth evil hateth the light" (vs. 20). Some sin willfully (Heb. 10: 26). Some are also "willfully ignorant" (2 Pet. 3: 5). Arrogant, defiant sin is what the Hebrew scriptures refer to as sinning presumptuously (Num. 15: 30 ff.).
Conclusion. Since man does not have to sin, man is totally responsible for his sin (cf. Rom. 2: 6). Ignorance is no excuse for sin (Acts 17: 30, 31). God has given us a book which we can basically understand and understand alike (Eph. 3: 4). Our goal should be not to sin (1 John 2: 1), even though all sin in general (Rom. 3: 23).
Man does not have to sin. Some mistakenly believe that man sins because he has no choice, "...choose you this day whom ye will serve...," urged Joshua of old (Josh. 24: 15). God did not create man a sinner with a propensity for sin which could not be overcome. Neither did God arrange for the inheritance of the Adamic sin to pass upon all men so they are sinners by unalterable "nature." (Cf. Ezek. 18.)
Some sin through ignorance. Ignorance - not knowing God's word - is a common cause of sin. Saul thought he should do many things contrary to Jesus' name (Acts 26: 9, 23: 1). Saul sinned ignorantly (1 Tim. 1: 13). Even though Saul (later known as the apostle Paul) ignorantly sinned, he was lost (1 Tim. 1: 13-15, Acts 22:16).
Some sin deliberately. Jesus said of some: "...men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil" (John 3: 19). "For every one," he continues, "that doeth evil hateth the light" (vs. 20). Some sin willfully (Heb. 10: 26). Some are also "willfully ignorant" (2 Pet. 3: 5). Arrogant, defiant sin is what the Hebrew scriptures refer to as sinning presumptuously (Num. 15: 30 ff.).
Conclusion. Since man does not have to sin, man is totally responsible for his sin (cf. Rom. 2: 6). Ignorance is no excuse for sin (Acts 17: 30, 31). God has given us a book which we can basically understand and understand alike (Eph. 3: 4). Our goal should be not to sin (1 John 2: 1), even though all sin in general (Rom. 3: 23).