Reply To: Harmatology 2024/2025 Discussion Board 1

[Chibuike Onyeogulu]

Three facts about sin so far as seen from the course harmatology include.
• what is sin? And was made to understand that sin is a degeneracy from original good and not an original creation, hence not by the creators’ (God) action but by the creature’s defection. Sin is ultimately sin against God.
• The fall of man in the garden of Eden resulted in the origin of sin. The first temptation as recorded in Gen 3:1-5 and the succumbing to the temptation as recorded Gen 3:6 both cumulatively resulted to the origin of sin
• The effects of the fall of man lead to the following: the loss of innocence which resulted to the sin nature as experience in the world today, it brought guilt which resulted to a couple of things as mentioned in the course content but the most intriguing one for me is experiencing fear in the presence of God or hiding from God.
A proper understanding of the fall of man in the garden of Eden and several things to note from the first fall which includes having a deeper understanding about the first temptation and the succumbing to the temptation has really impacted my Christian life positively.
Emphasis on James 1: 13 -15 was a key text to me regarding having a deeper understanding about temptations. Now, I can confidently and boldly tell anyone and everyone that choose to listen that temptation is not from God, that the devil is at the root of all temptation which makes temptation evil. Although God can test our level of faith at times just as seen in the case of Abraham when God ask him to sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22) but God can never and will never tempt anyone.
Secondly, I now have a better understanding that the strength of any temptation is the strength of our own lost. The fall was possible because the devil tempted Eve by appealing to her “self”. When self-interests are pursued at the expense of God-interest it does result to sin. However, there is a balance of “self” as can be seen in self-respect, self-worth, self-presentation, self-preservation and self-improvement
Lastly, I now have a better understanding that every temptation is aimed at us sinning against God which will result to death (Romans 6:23).
However, is of note that Jesus Christ has freed mankind from the bondage of sin of which I am included and with this revelation, I can boldly resist every form of temptation aimed at me from the devil by continuous renewal of my mind with the word of God. Hallelujah!!!