Hebraic Roots Bible (HRB): I confessed my SIN to You, and I have not hidden my INIQUITY; I said, I will confess over my TRANSGRESSION to YAHWEH; and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah. (Psalm 32:5 HRB)
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of YAHWEH” (Romans 3:23 HRB). However, we must discuss the levels, limits, and boundaries to sin. We have learned from (Part 1) and (Part 2) that sin is breaking the Law of YAHWEH (Torah, commandments, and precepts) (1 John 3:4), but what about Transgressions, Iniquities, and a Reprobate mind? This week we will cover Transgression and Temptation.
Definition of Transgression: An act, process, or instance of infringing on or violating a law(s), command(s), or duty(ies).
Definition of Temptation: The desire to do something, especially wrong or unwise. A desire to engage in short-term urges for enjoyment that threatens long-term goals.[1] The inclination to sin
In this life, we will face many challenges and conflicts and must overcome them. These conflicts are with the devil Ha-Satan, principalities, those in authority, possessors of this dark world, evil spirits beneath the heavens, and last but not least, our own sinful nature (Eph 6:12). Though these conflicts often intermingle, the law of sin seems most active in our flesh. According to (Romans 7:23) the law of sin is waging a constant war within our mind and body, stirring up our evil sinful nature. This war on the inside of us can sometimes cause us to miss the mark and sin because we are imperfect, and the law of sin takes us captive. Some individuals unintentionally sin due to a lack of self-control, while others are unaware of their sins because they do not know their actions are sins. King David knew there were some sins he committed without knowing and gives us an example in (Psalm 19:12) in which he says: “Who can discern his lapses and errors? Clear me from hidden [and unconscious] faults“. Conversely, transgression is quite the opposite as it is knowing and understanding the law of YAHWEH and intentionally choosing to do wrong or disobey.
Examples:
- You know the truth, but when asked, you intentionally chose to lie, cover-up, and deceive.
- You know the money was not yours, but you intentionally chose to steal it anyway.
- Biblical illustration – (Joshua 7:11)
- You knew that woman or man was married or you were married, but you intentionally decided to proceed and fulfill your lustful desires.
- Biblical illustration – (2 Samuel 11 Chapter)
- You knew if you kept drinking, you would get drunk, but you intentionally chose to keep going.
- Biblical illustration – (Genesis 9:20, 21, 22, 23 ,24)
We all share the same broken and twisted sinful nature that Adam and Eve displayed in the garden. This sinful nature naturally gravitates toward arrogance, greed, cruelty, covetousness, lying, lust, addiction, and many more deplorable behaviors (Gal 5:19, 20, 21 and Rom 1:29, 30, 31). It also wants to tempt, be tempted, and intentionally sin. Does that mean that we are powerless in our day-to-day decision-making?
Absolutely Not!
(1 Corinthians 10:13 HRB) says: “No temptation has taken you except what is human; but Elohim is faithful, who will not allow you to be tested above what you are able. But with the trial, He (YAHWEH) will also make the way out, so that you may be able to bear it.”
No matter how special, extravagant, or grotesque you think your compelling circumstances are, they are not unique or supernatural. Men and women of YAHWEH all around the world have faced the same or similar temptations as you and have been able to overcome, turn away from, and escape them through YAHWEH. YAHWEH will not ALLOW you to face a temptation that he has not given you the strength to face or endure. So when you encounter temptation, know that YAHWEH has sufficiently equipped you to fight against it, escape, and triumph. Temptation for some is an everyday occurrence, while for others, it’s sporadic. However, be assured no matter how old you get or how devoted you are to YAHWEH, as long as you breathe air; you will face temptation in some way, shape, or form.
Temptation alone is NOT a sin but must be dealt with immediately whenever it occurs. Allowing yourself to linger on or around temptation and ignore the blaring warning signs increases the likelihood of transgressing. If unchecked, this negligent behavior will eventually overtake you, and you will commit the transgression, form a habit, and follow it up with other transgressions. We also must always pay attention to the escape YAHWEH provides from temptation, no matter how difficult, embarrassing, or uncomfortable it may seem. Remember, the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23), so think of temptation as an enemy attempting to kill you. If faced with the possibility of death by your enemies, would you be willing to do anything to escape, even if it was difficult, embarrassing, or uncomfortable? So when YAHWEH provides a way out of temptation, TAKE IT! Your life depends on it.
Think of King David and his encounter with Bathsheba in (2 Samuel Chapter 11) when he intentionally chose to sin:
- Bathsheba was bathing on the rooftop in the eyesight of King David, causing his temptation. (2 Samuel 11:2)
- Temptation turned into lust.
- Temptation and lust caused him to search for Bathsheba. (2 Samuel 11:3)
- David received his warning and way of escape from YAHWEH when he learned that Bathsheba was married to Uriah the Hittite, one of his mighty men. (2 Samuel 11:3) Finding out she was married probably reminded him that he also was married.
- David lingered too long on this temptation, ignored the warnings and escape route, and was overtaken.
- He requested Bathsheba to come to him, and he intentionally transgressed, which included fornication and adultery. (2 Samuel 11:4)
- Fornication and Adultery produced an unwanted pregnancy. (2 Samuel 11:5)
- Unwanted pregnancy produced lies and deception. (2 Samuel 11:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
- Lies and deception turned into murder. (2 Samuel 11:14,
Unfortunately, David’s transgressions led to an onslaught of repercussions that didn’t stop with the lies, deceptions, and murder. Read Chapters 11-18, and you will discover that David and Bathsheba’s baby dies, his daughter gets raped, one of his sons murders another, and one of his sons starts a civil war to overthrow him.
Contrast this to Joseph in (Genesis Chapter 39) when he was tempted worst than David with a similar temptation but chose to be righteous:
- His master’s beautiful wife attempted to have an affair with him. (Gen 39:7)
- Temptation for Joseph immediately turned into fear of YAHWEH and respect for his relationship with his master. (Gen 39:8, 9)
- His master’s beautiful wife relentlessly attempted to persuade Joseph into adultery daily. (Gen 39:10)
- Fear of YAHWEH led him to see his way of escape, which was to deny her.
- One day, Joseph was in the house alone with no witnesses, meaning that he could have had a secret affair that day. (Gen 39:11)
- On that same day, with no one there but Joseph and His master’s wife, she pulled his clothing off him and insisted he lay with her. (Gen 39:12)
- Joseph did not allow this temptation to linger. He saw his way of escape was to RUN, so he did. He literally ran out of the house, probably naked, ashamed, and embarrassed. (Gen 39:12)
- The way out was difficult, embarrassing, and uncomfortable, but his fear of YAHWEH and respect for his relationship with his master got him through it.
- His righteousness and the lies of his master’s wife landed him in jail. (Gen 39:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
- There is much more to the story, but being in jail led him to become Egypt’s second most powerful man under Pharaoh. (Gen 41:39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44)
King David succumbing to temptation and choosing to sin led to awful things, whereas Joseph’s resistance to temptation resulted in his elevation. The cost of falling to temptations and transgressing is usually greater than what we consider at the time. Transgressions often leave us with 20/20 hindsight, regretting the consequences of the transgression. Consequences like STDs, crumbling marriages, unwanted pregnancy and children, broken relationships, DUIs, addictions, or your grace runs out, and you die an unrepented sinner.
Whatever your temptation is, look for the escape route and RUN before it’s too late and you choose to transgress.
By David Edwards