Before you proceed to read this article (part 3), ensure that you first read the part 1 and part 2 so that you can flow with the thoughts of the study.

Now, let's take a look at the second (2nd) category of sin, which is A conditional practice of lawlessness:

"My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:" - 1 John 2 vs 1 {KJV}

  • if any man sin

Take note of the word 'if' used in the verse; that word 'if' is a conditional word which implies a probability that something will happen. The Apostle begins by admonishing that the Believer should not sin, then he added that "if any man sin". This means, it is possible for a Believer to sin, but it is impossible for a Believer to make a practice of sin. To make a practice of sin as we have already seen in this study means to deliberately dwell in lawlessness—this can never be the case of a Believer! However, a Believer can stumble into sin due to some factors—these factors are the reason for that statement, "if any man sin". Some of the factors that can make a Believer stumble into sin are:

  • Childishness in Salvation
  • A Lack of wisdom
  • The weakness of the human nature
  • Fear / earthly pressures

Now, let's look into these factors one after the other:

CHILDISHNESS IN SALVATION

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." - 1 Corinthians 13 vs 11 {KJV}

When a Believer is not mature in Salvation, his words, thoughts and actions will manifest childishness—ungodliness! Because he is not mature in Salvation, his words will show some ungodliness, his thoughts and actions will demonstrate levels of ungodliness. Does that make him an unbeliever? No! Such believer needs growth—Spiritual growth! Such Believer needs more Word drills, he needs to be subject to discipleship under a Pastor, and he will grow and eventually put away childish things. Glory to God!

A LACK OF WISDOM

"And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 
And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out." - Genesis 39 vs 11 - 12 {King James Version}

You see, here, Joseph walked in wisdom! He knew what to do at such a moment, and he did it—he fled!

This is where some Believers miss the mark, they handle situations wrongly, they stay where they should flee, then they get into trouble of sin! A lack of wisdom. You getting it? Yeaa. You are a brother, and you decided to visit a sister who hasn't been in Church for a period of time—good intention! But how do you go about that good intention? Are you going to that sisters house alone? or are you going in the company of one or more brethren? You see... A thing of wisdom! Imagine going alone and finding the sister all alone in the house or room, and the weakness of the flesh manifest and you both commit sin—immorality. That sin does not make you an unbeliever, because it's not a deliberate life you live, but you stumbled into that sin because of your lack of wisdom—you ought not to go on visitation alone, especially when it's the opposite gender you are going to visit. The Lord Jesus did not send His disciples individually to preach the Gospel, He sent them two by two:

"After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come." - Luke 10 vs 1 {KJV}

  • and sent them two and two

Two and two means two by two:

"After this the Lord chose another seventy-two men and sent them out two by two, to go ahead of him to every town and place where he himself was about to go." - Luke 10 vs 1 {GNB}

  • and sent them out two by two

You see it... This is Wisdom!

So you see, many times, Believers stumble into sin because of a lack of wisdom.

THE WEAKNESS OF THE HUMAN NATURE

"I do not understand what I do; for I don't do what I would like to do, but instead I do what I hate.
Since what I do is what I don't want to do, this shows that I agree that the Law is right.
So I am not really the one who does this thing; rather it is the sin that lives in me." - Romans 7 vs 15 - 17 {Good News Bible Translation}

  • rather it is the sin that lives in me

Paul describes this "sin that lives in me" as the Human Nature:

"For when we lived according to our human nature, the sinful desires stirred up by the Law were at work in our bodies, and all we did ended in death." - Romans 7 vs 5 {GNB}

  • when we lived according to our human nature

There are certain sinful habits and desires that are sponsored by the human nature—the human nature is resident in every human being on earth. A man may struggle with these habits or desires, causing him to sin! These are not deliberate acts of sin, these are sins committed because the Believer is yet to outgrow that weakness by the revelation of the Gospel. Because, once he comes into light (revelation), he lives above that weakness, and that sin comes to an end in his life! You see... Sins of this category can be forgiven. All the believer needs to do is to acknowledge to God that he has sinned {1 John 1 vs 9}, and thank God for the forgiveness of his sins which he has lavishly in Christ {Colossians 1 vs 14}. You will be healed in your conscience.

FEAR / EARTHLY PRESSURES

What made Adam hide from God in the garden of Eden? Fear! The fear of uncertainty, not knowing what God would do to him for his action. Fear! What made Peter deny the Lord Jesus? Fear! The fear of being killed! The fear of dying! This fear caused Peter to take an action that was against his sincere intent! He loved the Lord so much—naturally, he won't deny the Lord. But fear caused him to do something that was unnatural to him. This is the same experience of many today. Fear! Conditional sins—sins committed based on certain non-deliberate conditions! Acknowledge to God that you have sinned {1 John 1 vs 9}, and thank God for the forgiveness of your sins which you have lavishly in Christ {Colossians 1 vs 14}. Hallelujah! You will be healed in your conscience.

But know this, one who is truly born again cannot swim in sin! he cannot deliberately live a sinful life! he cannot! he just cannot! his conscience is sensitive to the slightest iniquity, his heart is easily broken and burdened by the slightest sin! This is a true born again Believer in Christ. Why is this so? Because the Spirit of God dwells in his heart, making his heart the most sensitive system on earth! The slightest sin causes him inconveniences in his conscience! Very weighty inconveniences! Ponder on these words, they are true.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

Jenning Uweye
Teacher,
Global Bible Study Community
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