The 5 Stages of Sin

The 5 Stages of Sin

(Excerpted from part I of the article, "Fighting to Win: Understanding and Defeating Temptation," the Christian Voyager Compass, Jan 2006)

Ever see someone do a “slight of hand” trick (like pulling something out of thin air) that was so convincing it left you wondering what your own eyes saw? Well, up until the last century, none but the inside apprentice could learn the techniques, since it required the master to slow down the maneuvers in order to reveal each clever step. Nowadays, though, we have video footage that, when slowed, can reveal his every trade secret! We are able to spot the inner workings of the process because the manageable lowered speed of the action allows us to notice the many details that are lost in the real-time action. Thus, his trick is no longer convincing or intimidating. So it is with temptation. It operates effectively as long as its process is hidden from the soul. Once itsworkings are exposed, it is no longer invincible; in fact, it becomes an open target to be defeated. Let’s look at this slowed-down process of temptation and sin in the soul by examining an important passage in the epistle of James.

In the following verses, we are first informed that the battle with temptation originates in our fallen nature, not from God. Since it is not God who brings it, we have a responsibility to deal with it as an enemy not a gift! *Note: all Scriptural quotations are taken from the Authorized King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: (James 1:13)

How many people deceive themselves by believing that their temptation is somehow from God? “I know she’s not a Christian but God wants me to marry her because she’ll come to the Lord through me.” Or “I don’t have a choice! God knows that I need finances and I believe He’s providing in this way.” On and on it can go; but God is not in any of it because He would never lead His own into compromise with sin for any reason.

So, since it is our own carnal nature that is to blame (Remember, James has one too, so he does understand!), we must begin to comprehend the whole process whereby temptation goes from idea to ultimate end. If we look carefully, we can see five distinct stages of that process:

But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. (James 1:14; emphasis mine)

Stage I: Distraction (“drawn away”)

The first stage of temptation is simply being “drawn away”—that is, distracted by—alluring lusts which have been provoked within us. In other words, our attention is caught, often without warning, by carnal desire. We can liken it to the salesman who knocks on our door and when we open it, behold, he is ready to present us with his pitch. We have not yet invited him in to our home by any means and have certainly not signed up for any of his wares. In fact, we may not even be cognizant yet of just what he is selling until after a moment or two of hearing him.

This first stage, Dear Reader, is common to us all. The enemy of our souls continually sets before us things which are designed to stimulate our fallen nature. Unfortunately, that fallen nature will take every opportunity to vaunt itself to our face, to catch our attention in order to capture our heart. We have not sinned in this first stage but have awakened to the temptation which the carnal nature presents.

Of course, with the salesman, once we realize we do not wish to purchase his merchandise, we can bid him a swift “no thanks” and close the door confidently. So it is with temptation: once you recognize it, it’s time to close the door. As the old African saying goes, “Shut dee door, keep out dee devil.” This is more than a good idea; it will save our lives! We will define just how this is done a little later. But for now let’s move on to the next stage.

Stage II: Seduction (“enticed”)

Once lust has been awakened and has caught our attention, it instantly works on stage two: seducing our soul into entertaining it. We are treading on thin ice in this stage, because, although our will has not yet succumbed completely to the suggestion, we begin finding pleasure in simply tiptoeing around the idea. We may hold out with a vestige of self-control. We may survey the prospect from many angles yet not allow any “virtual reality” to play out in our minds. But, like the salesman whom we have now invited into our home to further inspect his wares, so now also sin has our full inquisitive interest.

Beware, Saint! A net is being spread for our steps and the snare is about to be sprung. Like the fly that becomes so attracted to the sweet smell of the sticky paper, he draws ever nearer to his death. This is the grey zone where we begin riding the fence between righteousness and wickedness. And the longer we remain in this state the more certain our fall into sin’s clutches. If the soul does not awaken to its danger in this stage it will become snared in an instant and find that it has crossed over into stage three: the actual committing of sin.

Stage III: Conception (“conceived”)

As soon as a person gives into temptation’s seduction and begins to play out scenarios of sin in the mind, lust has conceived its child. The soul is now mentally sinning and cradling this vile intention within itself. This new evil that takes root within the mind will now be nurtured and developed enough to finally produce the “real time” action.

Once in the third stage, the soul can avert this “real time” occurrence only by recognizing its grave danger and crying out for God’s intervention. If it fails to do so and relies merely on its willpower to withstand such force of temptation it will be hounded by the impulse until it is completely subjugated.

We should keep in mind that, as with the slight-of-hand trick, these first three stages may sometimes happen in rapid succession. But keeping each phase distinct can help us avoid falling into the later stages. The first stage of distraction is always the best one in which to deal with temptation because lust is as its weakest while our soul is at its strongest. However, the soul may not be alert enough to recognize it is in any danger until stage two, seduction, when it begins toying with the tempting idea. Sin can still be averted at this stage but it will require a more focused effort. Once stage three, or conception, has been engaged, however, and sin has been committed in the heart (see Matt 5:27-28 for this concept), it is almost impossible to break free of its grip apart from divine intervention. As Jesus stated, “Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.” (John 8:34)

Stage IV: Action (“bringeth forth sin”)

Since the ultimate desire of lust is to become fully manifest in one’s actions it will not rest until it has completely dominated a person’s will, mind, and body. Thus, the fourth stage of sin is to engage the victim in acting out physically the evil intention conceived and nurtured in stage three.

Initially, this acting out of sin in real life may only be a partial playing out of what has been conceived of in the mind. Yet sin has triumphed! It has now become the master over one’s life. And if the soul does not repent and seek deliverance immediately once this first action in the flesh has occurred, sin will continue to deepen and mature so that each time the action is repeated it grows in its intensity, whereas the faculties of the conscience become increasingly deadened.

Keep in mind that sin is like a cancer; it won’t rest until it can take over. So often, once people are lured by temptation into stage four, they invariably feel that since they’ve already sinned once their further engaging in the same action can’t be any worse. Beware Saint, for nothing could be further from the truth! This is the final snare wherein the enemy of our souls not only wants us in a state of moral condemnation before God (jeopardizing our salvation) but also desires to press us into such a fury of sin, that he may actually attack and take our very life!

How many people have we heard about who, once they began to let go of restraint in stage four continued to grow in their voracious appetite for sin until their thoughts were no longer even cognizant of the Lord and His ways? Their consciences began to become seared as with a hot iron (1 Tim 4:1-2), no longer able to feel any moral compunction and completely oblivious to the atrocity of their actions. How many of these same people, when they had just tiptoed out into stage four, believed it would simply be an easy jump back into God’s grace because they could at any time “repent” and God would be sure to rescue them?

This reasoning is unfortunately completely false. In fact, these individuals inevitably grow farther away from God than they were before they had ever come to Christ. And there is no guarantee that they will be rescued at all. As Peter states:

For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. (2 Peter 2:20)

A good example of this trap is the account of King David’s sin with Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah (2 Sam 11:1-27). David was known as a man afterGod’s own heart who would obey all that the Lord commanded him (1 Sam 13:14; Acts 13:22). Surely David’s infidelity with Bathsheba would have so bothered his conscience as to cause him to repent of his terrible sin! But when David begins the walk down sin’s path into adultery, we find another result altogether—a hardening of David’s heart—such that he even ordered the murder of Bathsheba’s innocent husband, Uriah, in order to cover up his own crime! Where is the repentance that we would have expected to find? There is none, Dear Reader, because sin had overtaken both his body and his mind.

If David had remained in that spiritual state he would have been eternally damned. Think of it! God’s man—entirely rejected. If it were not God’s mercy in sending him the prophet Nathan to trick him (Yes, trick him! That’s how hard it was to break through sin’s mind control!) into facing his terrible state (2 Sam 12:1-12) David would have gone down in history as God’s enemy. And many others have (both Saul before him and possibly Solomon after him, along with a great host of the kings of Israel and Judah). Repentance does not naturally spring from a soul who has walked out the course of this fourth stage because the maturing of sin is not about producing “repentance unto salvation” (2 Cor 7:10); rather it is about producing only one thing: death.

Stage V: Death: (“bringeth forth death”)

Once the soul has persisted in sin it is not easily wrested out of it. In fact, for such a spiritual condition, there is a fearful prospect of judgement which awaits.

26For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: 29Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? 30For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. 31It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Heb 10:26-31)

The Scripture also warns us:

7Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. (Gal 6:7-8)

Thus, sin, if it is allowed to continue, becomes fatal. The apostle Paul even states that some of the Corinthian church members were sickly and even dead because of this very thing!

28But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. 29For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 30For this cause many are weak and sickly among you, and many sleep. 31For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. (1 Cor 11:28-31)

Whether some of these who died were eternally condemned we are not told, but that they incurred God’s physical judgment is certain. Paul makes clear in verse 29 that the one who partakes of the Lord’s Supper and is in sin before God actually “eats and drinks damnation unto himself.” Speculation exists as to whether this sin of unworthiness is just concerning one’s attitude when taking communion, or if it in fact concerns one’s life as a whole. But Paul’s admonition for a man to “examine himself” before he partakes lest he be judged leads us to surmise that it is the latter. These are not light words, in any case.

Summary

So now we can see the entire process whereby temptation does its ugly work of producing sin and death. James’ detailed description exposes each stage and reveals how it builds upon the one before it. We can see the devastation wrought as the soul compromises bit by bit until it is finally consumed. But let us remind ourselves that forewarned is forearmed. So now that this vile, deceptive, “slight-of-hand” trick has been exposed, let us with tenacity go after vanquishing it.

(See Part II, Getting the Victory)