Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, probably the most beautiful and powerful of the angels. Not content with his position, he desired to be higher than God, and that was his downfall, the beginning of sin (
Isaiah 14:12-15). Sin has been passed down through all the generations of mankind and we have inherited sin from him.
Romans 5:12 tells us that through Adam sin entered the world, and so death was passed on to all men because “the wages of sin is death” (
Romans 6:23).
Types of sin
Inherent Inclination to sin.
King David lamented this condition of fallen human nature in
Psalm 51:5: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
Imputed sin
Greek word “imputed” means “to take something that belongs to someone and credit it to another’s account.” Before the Law of Moses was given, sin was not imputed to man, although men were still sinners because of inherited sin. After the Law was given, sins committed in violation of the Law were imputed (accounted) to them (
Romans 5:13)
Personal Sin
Once we confess our personal sins to God and ask forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship and communion with Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (
1 John 1:9).