The Root of the Problem (cover)The Root of the Problem is a 21-part series focused on the reasons why we sin so we can learn how to overcome temptation.

This material is also available in paperback. This is the second edition of this book which has been updated and expanded to include discussion questions and additional articles to supplement the material.

A list of all of the articles in this series is available here – The Root of the Problem (Index)

September 22, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 8): Peer Pressure

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Peer pressure can be a very strong influence for sin. School-aged children are taught to overcome peer pressure and to not follow the crowd when their friends are doing things that they should not do. But despite the continual admonitions, many children ignore these warnings and do what is wrong so that they can fit in. The Proverb writer warned against this very thing.

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent” (Proverbs 1:10).

While these warnings are good and necessary for our children, we should not limit our instruction about this to that specific age group. All people, regardless of age, can be tempted in this way. Paul warns the brethren in Corinth about this.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , ,
September 15, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 7): Arrogance

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

The Bible plainly labels arrogance as a sin. James tells us that “God is opposed to the proud” (James 4:6). The Proverb writer lists pride as one of the things which the Lord hates (Proverbs 6:16-17).

Arrogance is often mentioned in lists of sins – the sins of the Gentiles (Romans 1:30), those which Paul feared would be found among the saints in Corinth (2 Corinthians 12:20), and the sins of false teachers (2 Timothy 3:2). The reason it can be found in these lists is because arrogance is usually connected to other sins. We can think of arrogance as a “gateway” sin. It opens the door to many others. Often it is the beginning of our downfall.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , , ,
September 8, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 6): Rebellion

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

A rebel is one who acts against authority. Such action can be good when those who are in authority are corrupt and oppose God (Acts 5:29). But those who refuse to submit to such authorities are not simply being rebellious. They are acting in submission to the higher authority – God. But there are some who simply refuse to submit to anyone in authority – parent, teacher, employer, police officer, government official, even God. They want to be free to do as they please without restrictions placed upon them by others.

Sin occurs when we fail to submit to God. If we want to overcome sin, we must obey God, for sin is a transgression of His law.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , , , ,
September 1, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 5): Deception

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

An effective tactic used by the devil is deception. Jesus calls him the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Satan used deception to first introduce sin in the beginning. This threat continues even today.

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his craftiness, your minds will be led astray from the simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ” (2 Corinthians 11:3).

Christians are not immune from the devil’s deceptive tactics. Paul feared the possibility of the brethren in Corinth falling away, being deceived as Eve was. We should not underestimate Satan’s deceit. After all, he is the one who “deceives the whole world” (Revelation 12:9).
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , ,
August 25, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 4): Ignorance

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Laws are often violated by those who do not know that they are breaking a law. In these cases, a transgression is made, regardless of the offender’s knowledge of the statute. It is not uncommon for one to claim that he was unaware of the law he was breaking. Even if this is true, he still stands to be punished for his violation.

This concept is not hard to understand in our society’s legal system. Yet when it comes to God’s law, people often choose to look at it very differently. As long as they do not know that what they are doing is wrong, they are perfectly content to assume that they are doing right. They refuse to consider the fact that our sins will still condemn us. Ignorance is no more of an excuse to be used before God than it is for human authorities.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , , , , , ,
August 18, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 3): We Fail to See Sin for What It Is

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

The world in which we live has a distorted perception of sin. In our society, sin is mocked, disregarded, ignored, and even glorified. But the word of God presents a very different perspective. Sin is likened to darkness (John 3:19-20) and cancer (2 Timothy 2:17). Sin enslaves us (Romans 6:17,20). We are told very plainly that God hates sin (Proverbs 6:16-19).

If we do not appreciate what the Scriptures teach about sin, then it is not likely that we will want to give it up. One of the first steps to overcoming sin is realizing just how bad sin really is. To begin, we need to know what the Bible means when it talks about sin.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , , , ,
August 11, 2014

The Root of the Problem (Part 2): “We Are Only Human” – Not a Reason. Just an Excuse

The Root of the Problem: Why We Sin & How We Can Overcome

Sin is a universal problem. Right before telling the Romans that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), Paul uses several Old Testament passages to remind his readers of the universal nature of sin.

“What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greek are all under sin; as it is written, ‘There is none righteous, not even one; there is none who understands, there is none who seeks for God; all have turned aside, together they have become useless; there is none who does good, there is not even one.

“Their throat is an open grave, with their tongues they keep deceiving, the poison of asps is under their lips; whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness; their feet are swift to shed blood, destruction and misery are in their paths, and the path of peace they have not known. There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Romans 3:9-18).

The Jews could not say that sin was only a Gentile problem. Neither could the Gentiles say that only the Jews were lost in sin. All people of every race, time, and location, had sinned.
Continue Reading

Filed Under: SERIES: The Root of the Problem Tagged With: , , ,