Characteristics and Consequences of Sin Nature
For whom the Son sets free, is free indeed.
For years I tried to heal myself from relational trauma.
I was striving to be set free from the trauma responses to survive including fawning, fighting, freezing, and fleeing, second-guessing myself all the time, anxious and depressed.
I desperately wanted to experience healthy loving relating and relationships.
I tried to get rid of debilitating fear, shame, and the belief that I was unlovable. I was tired of living like there was something severely wrong with me. I wanted freedom, to be me. But I didn’t know who I was. I wanted peace.
I wanted a new life after experiencing a lifetime of being bullied, ridiculed, mocked and not believed when I told people I was in trouble. I developed a really good facade. I pretended I was okay, but I wasn’t.
I thought I’d be healing myself forever.
UNTIL SOMETHING HAPPENED…
On March 17, 2022, SOMETHING HAPPENED.
I encountered Jesus Christ!
It was something I did not seek, or look for.
Jesus Christ came to me.
Through a relationship with Jesus Christ, I have received the trauma healing I always needed.
The relational dysfunction is now over. Only God could do it!
And I want to share the one thing that has changed for me:
I gave my life to the Lord.
Jesus Christ.
When I was living in my sin, The Lord could not reach me and teach me.
Once I received forgiveness for my sins, He began to teach me and reach into my heart. He has taught me things I never knew before. The forgiveness of my sins brought me under God’s protective wing. It has changed everything in my life.
I pray you will continue to open your heart and read on….
The sin nature is the fallen nature inherited through humanity's rebellion against God.
Here are some of the characteristics
of the sin nature:
sin nature is Self-Centered Rather Than God-Centered
The sin nature seeks to put self above God.
"Everyone did what was right in his own eyes." — Judges 21:25
"The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God." — Romans 8:7
Characteristics:
Pride
Self-reliance
Independence from God
Self-protection
Self-promotion
sin nature is Controlled by Fleshly Desires
The sin nature follows feelings and cravings rather than the unction of the Holy Spirit.
"For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit..." — Galatians 5:17
Characteristics:
Lust
Greed
Impatience
Envy
Gluttony
Impulsive behavior
sin nature Produces Fear Instead of Faith
The sin nature relies on control and worry, rather than trusting fully in God.
”Give your burdens to the LORD, and he will take care of you. He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.” — Psalm 55:22
Characteristics:
Anxiety
Fear of people
Fear of rejection
Fear of failure
Need to control situations
"Whatever is not from faith is sin." — Romans 14:23
sin nature Seeks Control Rather Than Surrender
The sin nature wants to remain in control in all situations, rather than surrendering it in the hands of God.
”So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10
Characteristics:
Manipulation
Defensiveness
Stubbornness
Unforgiveness
Resistance to correction
sin nature Lives According to the World's Values, not god’s values
The sin nature seeks temporary satisfaction, rather than eternal treasures.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world..." — 1 John 2:15–16
Characteristics:
Love of money
Status seeking
Materialism
Comparison
Approval seeking
sin nature Produces the Works of the Flesh, not works of the holy spirit
The sin nature seeks to gratify fleshly satisfaction, which is not always God’s way for our life.
The apostle Paul gives a clear description:
"The acts of the flesh are obvious..." — Galatians 5:19
Galatians 5:19–21
Sexual immorality
Impurity
Idolatry
Witchcraft
Hatred
Discord
Jealousy
Fits of rage
Selfish ambition
Dissensions
Envy
Drunkenness
And similar behaviors
sin nature Resists God's Truth and authority
The sin nature naturally resists God's truth and authority, but when a soul encounters the love of Christ Jesus, it finally surrenders.
“So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. But you are not controlled by your sinful nature. You are controlled by the Spirit if you have the Spirit of God living in you.” — Romans 8:6-7
"The heart is deceitful above all things..." — Jeremiah 17:9
Characteristics:
Unbelief
Hard-heartedness
Deception
Rationalizing sin
Excusing wrongdoing
sin nature Produces Spiritual Death
The sin nature separates people from fellowship with God.
"For the wages of sin is death..." — Romans 6:23
This includes:
Spiritual emptiness
Shame
Guilt
Broken relationships
Bondage
Loss of peace
The Good News is this!
For those who trust in Jesus Christ, the sin nature no longer has to rule.
Through His death and resurrection:
We receive a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17).
The old self was crucified with Christ (Romans 6:6).
The Holy Spirit lives within believers and this produces new healthy loving holy characteristics, when surrendered (Romans 8:9–11).
We are empowered to walk in freedom rather than being enslaved to sin (Galatians 5:16).
As we surrender to the Holy Spirit, He transforms our desires and produces new and good fruit in our lives!
Sin Nature vs. New Nature
When we yield to the inner transformation of the Holy Spirit, we increasingly reflect the character of Jesus rather than the patterns of the old sin nature. There is now spiritual protection for us. There is inner transformation for us that supernaturally happens by way of the Holy Spirit. The Lord changes us and grows us by His Word, His Spirit and His love.
The new fruit growing in us includes: Peace, patience, joy, love, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, goodness, and self-control. Receiving the love of the Lord leads to the inner transformation of the Holy Spirit, helping us each day love one another as God loves us.
Would you like to give your life to Jesus Christ?
Would you like to begin a new journey of healing, growing and rising into a new creation
by the love and truth of the Lord?
There is hope and a beautiful future with the Lord.
He will be with you through it all, the hills and the valleys.
It’s a loving journey of faith and surrender, trusting in the Lord with all your heart.
He has plans to prosper you, and not harm you.
He withholds no good thing from those who walk with Him as Lord and Savior.
Reach out for prayer,
or Join our Weekly Support Group for Women:
Holy Fire Hope & Faith
We warmly welcome you,
Meisha