Bible Study

Title: Bothered By Sin
Date: Mar 3, 2010
Topic(s): Sin/Temptation, Forgiveness/Unforgiveness
Scripture: Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:10, 1 John 1:8, John 3:19, John 16:8, John 3:17, Acts 2:38, Jeremiah 2:35

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Do you like the feeling of discomfort you get when you know you've done something wrong? Neither do I. But the Bible tells us that to be bothered by sin, while very uncomfortable, is often an indication of spiritual health--even of our salvation.

What Does God Say?

• First, let's get a handle on what the Bible teaches about those who are not bothered by sin.

"And yet you say,
'I have done nothing wrong.
Surely God isn't angry with me!'
But now I will punish you severely
because you claim you have not sinned" (Jeremiah 2:35, NLT).

"And the judgment is based on this fact: God's light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil" (John 3:19, NLT).

"If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth" (1 John 1:8, NLT).

1. In the Jeremiah passage what did God find so objectionable about the people's attitude toward sin?
2. Why do people love darkness more than light(see John 3:19)?
3. Who are we deceiving if we say we have no sin?

• Second, notice what the Bible says about the source of conviction.

"And when he [the Holy Spirit] comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment" (John 16:8, NLT).

"If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us" (1 John 1:10, NASB).

1. Who will convict the world of sin?
2. Who are we making a "liar" if we say we haven't sinned?

• Third, notice what the Bible assures us is possible when we honestly acknowledge our sin and deal with it through Jesus.

"For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him" (John 3:17, NLT).

"Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away" (Acts 3:19, NLT).

"Peter's words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, 'Brothers, what should we do?'"

"Peter replied, 'Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit'" (Acts 2:37-38, NLT).

• Why did God send His Son into the world?
• How can you have your sins wiped away according to John 3:17?
• What will you receive when you turn to God?

My Thoughts

• How do you respond when you are bothered by sin?
• What is the right response to sin according to the scriptures we just read?
• Are you bothered by one sin in particular? What is it?
• What besides that important step of confessing that sin and receiving forgiveness for it, can you do so you will bothered less and less by that specific sin?

My Part

What's bothering you right now? Is there any sense of conviction of sin? Then it's a good time to talk to the Lord. Give Him your guilt, receive His mercy and forgiveness, and ask for His help in living His way.

"People who conceal their sins will not prosper,
but if they confess and turn from them, they will receive mercy" (Proverbs 28:13, NLT).

You can count on that! Guilt and shame will be replaced with gratitude and peace.

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