EXPLAINING WHAT SIN IS TO CHILDREN – James 4:17

Many children have heard about SIN, but they don’t really understand what it is, so let’s take a look at what SIN is. 

SIN = disobeying and doing bad things. Being proud an arrogant and thinking that you know everything and are better than anyone else. This sin is called pride. Using bad language and calling God, Jesus or people names is sin, and gossiping and saying something untrue about someone is also sin. 

Simply put, sin is the bad things we do that makes God sad and separates us from Him. The Bible tells us that: “When a person knows the right thing to do, but does not do it, then he is sinning” (James 4:17)

God gives us rules to live obedient lives. Many of you have heard of the 10 commandments that God gave to Moses. So when you disobey these commandments or rules, you are sinning against God. 

Here are some of the rules God has in the Bible for us: 

God tells us to: “Honor your father and your mother.” When you talk ugly or yell at your parents or disobey them, you are sinning against God. 

God also says: “Obey those who have authority over you.” When you disrespect your teachers or disobey them, you are sinning against God. 

Another rule is: “You shall not lie.” This means that you must tell the truth. When you tell a lie, you are sinning against God. It also means that you should not exaggerate, making your story bigger than it is. 

God gave us another commandment which is: “You shall not steal.” This means that you must not take anything that does not belong to you. Cheating is also a way of stealing because you are using information that you stole from someone else. When you take something that does not belong to you, or you copy something from someone because you were too lazy to study yourself, you are sinning against God. 

We are definitely not to use the Lord’s name in a disrespectful manner. Sadly, even little kids today use the Lord’s name by swearing and saying bad words; and yes, they often pick up the habit from their parents. We need to explain to children that saying nasty words to others and using God’s name in a very bad way means you do not respect God and if do not change you are going to be judged by Him and suffer the consequences of your disobedience. 

Do you know when sin started?

It started a very long time ago first when Lucifer who was the most beautiful angel became very proud. 

He wanted to be like God and because of his pride he was punished and was removed from heaven. 

Here on earth his name changed to Satan and he lied to Eve in the Garden of Eden and made her and Adam disobey God by eating the fruit that God told them not to eat. When that happened the sin that they committed brought lying, cheating, stealing, hatred, murder, sadness, sorrow, sickness, and death into the world. 

So, why do we sin?

The reason we sin is that we have sin in our heart, because we were all born sinners. 

We inherited sin from Adam and Eve when they disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden, so now ALL people sin. Romans 3:23 says, “Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God’s glory.” 

Then how can we be forgiven of our sins?

In the Bible in the book of Romans 6:23 it says: “When you sin, the payment you get is death. But God gives you the gift of eternal life. That’s because of what Christ Jesus our Lord has done for us on the cross.”  

Even though we sin, God provided the gift of eternal life by sending Jesus to die for us. All we have to do is accept that gift! 

God wants to erase your sin. First you must understand that sin is doing what God tells you not to do, and you agree with God that if you love Him you should not disobey Him. Then you must turn away from it and never do it again, and ask God to forgive you for what you have done.

1 John 1:9 tells us that: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all the bad thing we have done.” 

Once you have asked Him to forgive you, than you need to thank Him for sending His Son, the Lord Jesus, to take the punishment for your sins on the cross. 

Tell Him that you are trusting Jesus as your Savior and that you want to obey Him and ask Him to help you when you don’t know what to do; and He will! 

Once you do this, not only are your sins forgiven, but God gives you a new life. The Holy Spirit of God comes to live in your heart so you can stop sinning. 

Did you know that the name Jesus means “Savior?” 

YES! Jesus is our Savior who saves us from our sins.

 So remember the key to salvation is very simple, here it is: 

RECEIVING ETERNAL LIFE IS AS SIMPLE AS 

A – B – C 

• Admit – and confess that you are a sinner and cannot attain eternal life by myself. Repent and turn away from your sin. (Romans 3:23)
• Believe – and trust that Jesus Christ is God’s only Son who was crucified for your sins. (Romans 5:8)
• Commit – and give your life to Jesus Christ and ask Him to be Savior and Lord of your life. (Romans 10:9)  

You can also take a look at the WORDLESS BOOK for additional explanation.

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 Goodbye, until next time. Until then, remember to say your prayers obey your mom and dad and do not forget to go to church and Sunday school next week.

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