“Sin That Leads to Death”

“Digging Deeper”
An opportunity for you to continue your study of God’s Word throughout the week…

WEDNESDAY
“Sin That Leads to Death”

1 John 5:16-17
“If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.”

These verses have been the source of much discussion and debate among students of the Bible. Perhaps the clearest example of a sin that leads to death is Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1–11). In this case, God punished sin with a swift physical death.

There are at least three different types of death. First, physical death is separation from the body. Second, spiritual death is separation from God. Third, eternal death is the result of physically dying while spiritually dead and is experienced as separation from God for eternity.

Although all sin ultimately leads to death, the expression “that does not lead to death” in these verses can be understood in the sense, “not punished immediately by physical death.” There are sins for which death is an immediate consequence and sins for which it is not. John had in mind any sin that does not immediately and swiftly lead to physical death. As a concrete demonstration of love, we should pray for others when they sin.

CHALLENGE: Pray for someone you know who is struggling with sin.