Sins, Transgressions and Iniquities

Psalm 32 captures my attention because I see three words used that require my full understanding:

1.  Sins

2.  Transgressions

3.  Iniquities

I originally thought they were interchangeable terms, but what I discovered otherwise, answered a lot of questions concerning many of my life struggles.

In this didactic (teaching) Psalm, David writes about the Lord’s forgiveness.  “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven.  Whose sin is covered!  How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity; and in whose spirit there is no deceit.   

“I acknowledged my SIN to You, and my INIQUITY I did not hide.  I said, ‘I will confess my TRANSGRESSIONS to the Lord.’  And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (32:1-5).  For the purposes of this blog, I first need to define each of these words. 

SIN – The word “sin” and its cognates are used 786 times in the New International Version of the Bible.  Sin means, “to miss the mark.”  It can refer to doing something against God or against a person, doing the opposite of what is right, doing something that will have negative results, and failing to do something you know is right.  Our sin nature causes us to gravitate naturally toward selfishness, envy and pride, even when we are trying to do good. 

The Apostle Paul alluded to his propensity to sin when he wrote, “For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.  For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (Romans 7:18). 

The sin nature leads to trespassing.  A trespasser is someone who crosses a line or climbs a fence that he should not cross or climb.  To “trespass” can also mean “to fall away after being close beside.” Peter trespassed when he denied Jesus.  We all “cross the line” in thought, word or attitude many times a day and should be quick to forgive others who do the same.

TRANSGRESSIONS – refer to presumptuous sins. To transgress is to choose to intentionally disobey; transgressing is willful trespassing.  Sadly, we all leave a trail of broken relationships behind us as we navigate through our lives.  This is because we trespass or go beyond godly boundaries.  David referred to this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).  When we knowingly run a stop sign, tell a lie, or blatantly disregard an authority, we are transgressing.

INIQUITY – is more deeply rooted.  Iniquity refers to a premeditated choice. To commit iniquity is to continue without repentance.  David’s sin with Bathsheba that led to the killing of her husband, Uriah, was iniquity.  Micah 2:1 says, “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds!  At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.” 

An iniquity, then, is our predisposition to be subdued by certain sins.  That’s why former alcoholics stay away from bars!  That’s why men who formerly struggled with porn monitor closely what they watch.  Our flesh remains weak and is no match against the pull of sin. Sins of iniquity are fierce contenders and through the power of the Holy Spirit are defeated when we subdue our flesh. It entails the “renewing of our mind” (Romans 12:2a), thus learning to “take captive every thought to the obedience of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 10:5). 

In David’s psalm of repentance, he cries out to God, saying, “Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin” (51:2).  God forgives iniquity, as He does any type of sin when we repent.  However, iniquity left unchecked, leads to a state of willful sin with no fear of God.  As a matter of fact, the build-up of unrepentant sin is sometimes pictured as a “cup of iniquity” being filled to the brim. 

Giving allowance in our lives to continued iniquity automatically strengthens “the strongman” in our lives.  Whoever we feed – spirit or flesh – gets stronger.  I understand why participants in Alcoholics Anonymous are required to introduce themselves and then say, “I’m an alcoholic.”  I get it. But according to the Apostle Paul, sins that piggy-back off our iniquities can be completely annihilated from our lives through the power of God. 

I love what Paul says in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the coveteous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.

“SUCH WERE SOME OF YOU; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit of our God.”  If we continue to sew into sins that readily ensnare us (iniquities) and refuse to subdue them in the power of God’s Spirit and by accountability to others, iniquity issues will continue to defeat us.

I know I’ve only touched the surface when talking about sins, transgressions and iniquities.  I preached a lengthy sermon series on these three several years ago and still did not exhaust this wonderful subject.    

In conclusion, Jesus forgives all sin when we repent, and the indwelling Holy Spirit empowers us to do what is right in God’s eyes.  Oh, what a Savior!

Blaspheming the Holy Spirit

In my experience, a lot of believers totally misunderstand what blaspheming the Holy Spirit really means, and unfortunately, they erroneously try to tell others what they think the Bible teaches on the subject.  Like anything else, we want to embrace the truth!  So, here we go!

Once a man was overheard saying, "This Holy Spirit stuff (he was specifically speaking about tongues in the corporate worship services) is a bunch of nonsense."  Did he blaspheme the Holy Spirit?  Probably not, but I'm sure he grieved the Holy Spirit.  That man needed an encounter with the Holy Spirit!  Many years ago I sat in a Sunday School class where the teacher told us that speaking in tongues was of the devil.  Was he blaspheming?  It was probably not his intention to blaspheme.  He only taught what his denomination believed, and perhaps God will not hold this to his charge.  I'm not the judge!

I often remind believers that they may or may not agree with certain teachings about the Holy Spirit, and they may not feel comfortable in churches that we identify as "Spirit-filled," but they should be careful about what they say.  I tell them, "Never attack another Christ-honoring church, just because they don't believe certain doctrinal truths you might hold dear."

So, what constitutes blasphemy against the Holy Spirit?  Let's allow the Scriptures to speak for themselves.  Jesus warned the religious leaders of His day in Matthew 12:31-32: "Wherefore, I say unto you, all manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven unto men.  And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man, it shall be forgiven him: but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come."

I'm not going to attempt to wax theologically eloquent on this point.  Allow me to simplify it for you.  Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is rejecting the Holy Spirit's convicting power – because one can be saved only as the Holy Spirit draws him. To refuse to repent or to acknowledge one's sin is to refuse God's forgiveness.  In short, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is rejecting Jesus Christ!

Sometimes believers worry that they have accidentally committed this unforgivable sin. But only those who have turned their backs on God and rejected all faith have any need to worry.  Anyone who continually rejects the prompting of the Holy Spirit removes himself from the only source that can lead him to repentance and restoration to God.

If you're afraid you have blasphemed the Holy Spirit, you're probably on good ground.  Had you truly rejected Him, you would not care.  Your conscience would be seared!

Jesus makes an interesting statement, "...neither in this world, neither in the world to come" (v. 32).  To what is He referring?  Those who blaspheme the Spirit can't be saved in this life, and as a result will suffer eternal separation from God because of their choice.  In the final analysis, who goes to hell?  Anyone who rejects Jesus Christ!

Some have wrongly taught that using God's Name in vain or using God and Jesus as cuss words constitutes blasphemy   Of course, such talk is dreadful to hear, but Jesus makes it clear that blasphemy relates only to the Spirit's work.  I hate it when people use God's Name or Jesus' precious Name as curse words.  They curse the only One Who can save them!  But the Scriptures make it clear that the Spirit draws--He convicts of sin--Jesus forgives and then presents us to the Father because of His shed blood!

Why not welcome the Spirit's work in your life today?  The Holy Spirit is so wonderful.  He always glorifies Jesus Christ.  And He wants to draw you to the Master today.  If you're already saved, ask the Holy Spirit to touch you more deeply.  He desires greater intimacy with you!

Kathryn Kuhlman was a nationally acclaimed healing evangelist from yesteryear, who taught me as a young believer to respect the Holy Spirit.  She never wanted to do or allow anything in her services that grieved Him.  While her mannerisms may have been somewhat peculiar, I loved to listen to her, for she loved and honored the Holy Spirit.  And God showed up in her meetings!

Let's bid Him welcome today and always!

Sin, Righteousness & Judgment

Jesus’ discourse in John 16:7-11 describes something very important about the Holy Spirit’s work:  "Nevertheless I tell you the truth.  It is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send Him to you.  And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:  Of sin, because they do not believe in Me.  Of righteousness, because I go to My Father and you see Me no more; Of judgment because the ruler of this world is judged."

According to this passage, three important tasks of the Holy Spirit include: Convincing the world of its sin and calling it to repentance, showing the standard of God's righteousness to anyone who believes because Jesus would no longer be present on earth, and demonstrating Christ's judgment over Satan.

A good word to use instead of "convict" is "convince."  To summarize these verses we can accurately say, "When we confess our sin, God declares us righteous and delivers us from judgment for our sins."  To further lend understanding, let's look at it this way:

1.           The Holy Spirit initially draws us to Christ by convincing us we are sinners who need salvation.  I was drawn to Christ when I was convicted of my sinful condition before God, and was wonderfully converted at the age of 14.

2.           THEN, the same Holy Spirit Who convicted me about my sins, put upon me the righteousness of Jesus!  Now the Spirit convicts (convinces) me continually; He reminds me when I sin and when I don't sin that I AM HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS.

To answer this question, the Holy Spirit, in the initial experience of conversion, convicts us of sin.  He then immediately places upon us Jesus' robe of righteousness.  Subsequently, we no longer are what sin says we are, but who God says we are.  The Spirit works continually to convince us of our righteous standing.  In other words, sin no longer has dominion over us, but now we walk in His righteousness.  At salvation, we are cleansed by the blood.  Afterwards, we must see ourselves as saved, washed, cleansed, delivered, healed, etc.

Do you know what I often hear from already saved people?  They say things like, "I'm bad," "I'm not worth anything," "I don't deserve God's goodness," or "I'm bound by (whatever)..." Usually, these people admit they've been saved, but they experience difficulty walking in the righteousness of Christ.  So, the Holy Spirit works tirelessly to show them (convince them) of God's better way.  Before we receive salvation, we can rightfully say, "I am a sinner."  The Holy Spirit then convinces us of our need for salvation.  Afterwards, however, we should learn to say, "I'm righteousness.   Not perfect--but righteousness!”   Many believers continue to sow into their already forgiven sins after they come to Christ!  Their walk is characterized by shame, unhealthy guilt, condemnation and fear.  They live in a perpetual state of unfounded rejection.

When we receive and understand this revelation, the same Holy Spirit who initially exposed our sinful condition, now teaches us how to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world" (Titus 2:17).  The Spirit is a teacher, Who works continuously to convince us of the dynamics of the imputed righteousness of Christ which was placed upon us at conversion.

To summarize, the Holy Spirit both convicts of sin and righteousness!