Instinctual Sin: Nature's Betrayal Or Misunderstood?

Instinct is an inherent inclination in all living organisms to act in a certain way without any prior experience or learning. It is an innate biological factor that drives behaviour. While instincts are natural, they can sometimes lead to actions that are considered harmful or undesirable. For instance, in a religious context, certain natural instincts can be seen as sins.

According to Christian doctrine, sin is any action that fails to glorify God and uphold his righteousness. It is an inherent aspect of human nature that leads to disobedience and rebellion against God. While some theologians argue that God did not create sin, humans are inherently sinful by nature, and this sinfulness is passed down from the disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

Therefore, the intersection of natural instincts and sin raises complex questions about human behaviour and morality. While instincts are innate and involuntary, certain religions may deem specific instinctual behaviours as sinful, creating a dilemma for individuals who wish to adhere to religious doctrines.

Hatred as a sin

Hatred is a natural instinct, but it is also a sin. This is a complex issue that has been explored by theologians, psychologists, and philosophers.

From a Christian perspective, hatred is considered a sin because it goes against God's nature and commands. The Bible equates hatred with murder, which is one of the Ten Commandments. It is also seen as a "heart" sin, where any hateful thought or act is considered an act of murder in God's eyes. Hatred is viewed as a poison that destroys a person from within and separates them from God and other believers.

However, it is important to note that not all forms of hatred are considered sinful. According to the Bible, it is acceptable to hate the things that God hates. By walking with the Lord and understanding His attributes and character, believers will naturally hate those things that are contrary to His Word and nature.

Psychologists and philosophers have also grappled with the concept of hatred as a natural instinct and a sin. Some, like Wilhelm Wundt, have viewed hatred as an unconscious process resulting from sensations and emotions. Sigmund Freud considered mental images of bodily needs, expressed as mental desires, to be instincts.

Others, like Abraham Maslow, have argued that humans have the ability to override their instincts, and thus the term "instinct" may no longer accurately describe human behaviour. Maslow suggested that what is often called an instinct is more accurately a strong "drive".

The complex nature of hatred as a natural instinct and a sin highlights the ongoing debate between nature and nurture, biology and theology, and the role of free will in human behaviour.

In conclusion, hatred is a natural instinct that can lead to destructive behaviours and negative consequences. From a Christian perspective, it is a sin that separates individuals from God and others. While some forms of hatred may be considered acceptable, the overall message is that hatred is a destructive force that should be overcome.

Sin as rebellion against God

Sin is defined as rebellion against God. It is the human act of rejecting God's authority and choosing to follow one's desires instead. This rebellious attitude is evident in the very first sin, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and ate the forbidden fruit. From that moment on, sin entered the world, and humanity's sinful nature was passed down from generation to generation.

The Bible describes sin as a transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against His authority (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18). It is a willful choice to go against God's instructions and live according to our own desires. This rebellion can take many forms, such as ignoring God, disobeying His commands, or actively rebelling against Him.

The Hebrew and Greek words for sin convey the senses of failure, error, and evil. In Hebrew, the term "ḥṭʾ" refers to moral lapses and failures in our obligations toward God. Meanwhile, the word "pšʿ" conveys the idea of rebellion, defiance, and transgression against God.

Throughout the Bible, sin is equated with rebellion. Israel's history is described as a cycle of rebellion and restoration (Judges 2:10–19; Isaiah 59:13; Numbers 14:18). King Saul's rebellion against God's direct instructions led to his downfall and the loss of his throne (1 Samuel 15).

Sinful nature leads to hostility toward God and ignorance of His truth. It results in a broken relationship with God and can ultimately lead to spiritual death (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1). However, through Christ, we can be born again and inherit a new nature, overcoming the pull of our sinful nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).

In summary, sin is an act of rebellion against God, our Creator and rightful ruler. It is a choice to follow our own desires instead of submitting to His authority. This rebellion has consequences and separates us from God, but through Christ, we can find forgiveness and restoration.

Sin as a failure to glorify God

Sin is the failure to keep God's law and to uphold his righteousness, thus failing to glorify the Lord fully. It is the quality of any human action that causes it to fall short of glorifying God. This can be traced back to the initial disobedience of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, which has corrupted all people except for Christ.

The Bible speaks of "sinful flesh" in Romans 8:3 and the "body ruled by sin" in Romans 6:6. This "sinful nature" is universal in humanity, affecting every part of us. It is a natural inclination to sin; given the choice to do God's will or our own, we will naturally choose to do our own thing.

Romans 1:20-25 points out four steps that lead to spiritual deterioration, the first of which is failing to glorify God. This is considered the basic expression of the root sin of pride, which is at the core of man's fallen state. While this may not seem like a serious sin, it is to God. When there is a breakdown in glorifying God, other problems follow.

Failing to glorify God can lead to idolatry and immoral living, as seen in the case of King Belshazzar in the book of Daniel. The prophet Daniel reproached the king, saying:

> "You have lifted yourself up against the Lord of Heaven... You and your wives and your concubines have drunk wine from [the vessels of God's house]... You have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone... but the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified." (Daniel 5:23)

Failing to glorify God is a serious matter, as it was for King Belshazzar, and it can lead to a downward spiral of unthankfulness, indifference, and lowered standards in our lives.

Sin as a violation of God's law

Sin is defined by God in the 66 books of the Bible, and it is any thought, word, or deed that breaks God's law. According to 1 John 3:4, "Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness".

Sin is a violation of God's law, and it is an inherent part of human nature. We have a natural inclination to sin, and given the choice between doing God's will and our own, we will naturally choose the latter. This is called the "sin nature", and it is passed down from generation to generation, starting with the disobedience of Adam and Eve.

Sinful behaviour comes naturally to humans. For example, no one has to teach a child to lie or be selfish; these are natural instincts. However, anger is not necessarily a sin. The Bible says, "In your anger, do not sin" (Ephesians 4:26). It is natural and normal to feel anger, but what we do with that anger is important. Hatred, on the other hand, is considered a sin, and it will destroy the life of anyone who holds onto it.

God calls us to self-control and to live a righteous life, which includes controlling our sinful nature and our "natural" desires that can be destructive to ourselves and our relationship with God. God knows what is good for us and what will give us an abundant life.

The punishment for sin is death (Genesis 2:17, 3:19) and, by extension, an infinite and eternal punishment in hell. However, through Christ, we can be saved from sin and its consequences.

Sin as a universal human condition

The doctrine of original sin asserts that Adam's sin was not just his own but that of all humanity, and that all humans inherit a sinful nature from him. This idea is supported by various biblical passages, including Psalm 51:5, which states, "I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me," and Romans 5:12, which says, "sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way, death came to all people, because all sinned."

The concept of original sin was developed by early Christian theologians such as Irenaeus of Lyons and Augustine of Hippo, who is credited with coining the phrase "original sin." Augustine's formulation of original sin, which became influential in Western Christianity, included the idea that all humans inherit guilt and a fallen nature from Adam, resulting in a complete alienation from God and the inability to achieve reconciliation without divine intervention.

The doctrine of original sin has been a subject of debate and disagreement within Christian theology. While some Protestant Reformers like Martin Luther and John Calvin embraced Augustine's ideas, others like Pelagius rejected them, arguing that humans are not inherently sinful and that sin is spread through example rather than hereditary transmission. The Eastern Orthodox Church also rejects the notion of hereditary guilt, believing that humans share in Adam's punishment, not his guilt.

Despite these differing interpretations, the concept of original sin as a universal human condition has been a significant aspect of Christian theology, shaping the understanding of human nature, salvation, and the role of Jesus Christ as a saviour.

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