We teach that sin is any personal lack of conformity to the moral character or desire of God. Sin has permeated God's creation and deserves absolute punishment.

Origin of Sin: We believe without question that God is neither the author nor the instigator of sin (Job 34:10,12; Psalms 92:15; James 1:13). God continually declared that all that He had created was intrinsically good, meaning it was pleasant, excellent, and morally right (Genesis 1:4,10,12,18,21,25,31). God did not create sin but did create moral beings with the ability to choose sin. Thus sin began with Lucifer. All sin originates in the heart of created beings whether they are of angels or of man and woman (Genesis 3:6; Isaiah 14:13-14; Ezekiel 14:1-4; 28:16-17; Matthew 15:18-20; Mark 7:15,20-23; James 1:14-15). Natural desires become sinful when it is exercised in a manner that is contrary to the character and law of God. Thus the origin of sin, the real source, is internal rather than external.

Nature of Sin: We teach that sin is any transgression of God's moral law. It is falling short of the mark of God's moral attributes. Sin is manifested by doing what God's law forbids which are sins of commission (1 John 3:4), and failing to do what God's law commands, which are sins of omission (James 4:17). A sin may occur in thought (Proverbs 24:9), word (Proverbs 10:19), or deed (Jude 15). Sin is known subjectively through man's conscience (Romans 2:14-16) and objectively though God's Word (Romans 7:7).

Effects of Sin: We believe that death is a universal consequence of sin. This means all people past, present, and future. Sin has effected the entire person: heart, mind, soul, will, emotions, and body (Deuteronomy 6:5; Psalms 51:5-10; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 5:21-48; 12:33; Luke 6:43-45; Romans 6:12; 7:18,21-23). Sin puts man at enmity with God and causes for eternal separation from God apart from the saving work of Christ.