Sin, by its nature, is destructive. Hence, much of its effect already has been
described. Yet a brief summation is required.
Discussion of the results of sin must consider guilt and punishment. There are
several types of guilt (Heb. ’asham, Gen. 26:10; Gr. enochos, James 2:10). Individual or
personal guilt may be distinguished from the communal guilt of societies. Objective
guilt refers to actual transgression whether realized by the guilty party or not.
Subjective guilt refers to the sensation of guilt in a person. Subjective guilt may be
sincere, leading to repentance (Ps. 51; Acts 2:40–47; cf. John 16:7–11). It may also be
insincere, appearing outwardly sincere, but either ignoring the reality of sin
(responding instead to being caught, shamed, penalized, etc.) or evidencing only a
temporary, external change without a real, lasting, internal reorientation (e.g.,
Pharaoh). Subjective guilt also may be purely psychological in origin, causing real
distress but not based on any actual sin (1 John 3:19–20).
Penalty or punishment is the just result of sin, inflicted by an authority on sinners
predicated on their guilt. Natural punishment refers to the natural evil (indirectly from
God) incurred by sinful acts (such as the venereal disease brought on by sexual sin
and the physical and mental deterioration brought on by substance abuse). Positive
punishment refers to the direct supernatural infliction of God: The sinner is struck
dead, etc.
The possible purposes for punishment follow: (1) Retribution or vengeance
belongs to God alone (Ps. 94:1; Rom. 12:19). (2) Expiation brings restoration of the
guilty party. (This was accomplished for us in Christ’s atonement.
Judgment makes the guilty party become willing to replace what was taken or destroyed, which
can be a witness of God’s work in a life (Ex. 22:1; Luke 19:8). (4) Remediation
influences the guilty party not to sin in the future. This is an expression of God’s love
(Ps. 94:12; Heb. 12:5–17). (5) Deterrence uses the punishment of the guilty party to
dissuade others from behaving similarly, which may often be seen in divine warnings
(Ps. 95:8–11; 1 Cor. 10:11).
The results of sin are many and complex. They may be considered in terms of who
and what they affect.
Sin affects God. While His justice and omnipotence are not compromised,
Scripture testifies of His hatred for sin (Ps. 11:5; Rom. 1:18), patience toward sinners
(Ex. 34:6; 2 Pet. 3:9), seeking of lost humanity (Isa. 1:18; 1 John 4:9–10, 19),
brokenheartedness over sin (Hosea 11:8), lament over the lost (Matt. 23:37; Luke
13:34), and sacrifice for humanity’s salvation (Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:14; Rev. 13:8). Of
all the biblical insights concerning sin, these may be the most humbling.
All the interactions of a once pure human society are perverted by sin.
Stanley M. Horton
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