What if our sins are just a symptom of us doubting that God really is enough?
What if God was less concerned about your behavior and more concerned about proving to you just how much He loves you?
How would that change your perspective?
Sin as a symptom
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In Philosophy and Logic we learn that there are three test of truth: 1) internal coherence (the logical), 2) external correspondence (the factual), and 3) functional adequacy (the livable). For a belief to be true it must be meaningful, it must line up with the real world, and it must not only help us survive in daily life, but allow us to flourish.
Hypothesis: our sins are just a symptom of us doubting that God really is enough?
Test #1 — internal coherence, I would say this is logical, depending on how you define your terms (what do you mean by “doubting that god is really enough”?
Test #2 — external correspondence — I don’t think this will pass this test; James 1:13-15 says “13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.†For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” Therefore we sin because of our “evil desires”–not because we doubt God goodness.
Test #3 –functional adequacy — If someone lived out this philosophy what “fruit” would they bear (Matt 7:16)?
May I suggestion that God primary focus is on us loving God and loving our neighbors.(Matt 22:36-40). if we really love God and our neighbor our behavior will reflect that love and we will bear “fruit”.
Note: Love is seeking the highest good for the other.
Not being overly familiar with your test I’ll see if I can make the idea fit it…
Hypothesis: our sins are just a symptom of us doubting that God really is enough?
Test #1 — internal coherence
If I doubt that God is enough – I may be tempted to lust after things (or people) I don’t have
If I doubt that God is enough – I may be tempted to lie to make myself look better
If I doubt that God is enough – I may be tempted to find comfort and pleasure in addictions or outside the bounds of my marriage
If I doubt that God is enough – I may be tempted to hold on to anger, expecting others to make me happy and make up for the hurt they caused me
Test #2 — external correspondence —
I would suggest that the “evil desire” is based on our desire to be God or to find our completion, happiness and satisfaction in anything other than God.
If you look at Adam and Eve’s sin, they felt like there was something missing in their life they wanted to be God. They had wonderful communion with God in the garden and were lacking nothing – but they were tempted to believe there was something more and thus ate of the temptation.
When Lucifer rejected God he was the most beautiful creature created and had all he could want or need. But he lost sight of that and felt like there was something lacking and decided he wanted to be God instead.
John 16:8 says that the Holy Spirit will come to “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; concerning sin, *because* they do not believe in Me.”
The Spirit does not convict us because we sin – but because we do not believe in Jesus.
What does “believe in Me” mean? Does it mean, “I believe Jesus is God?” Does it mean I believe Jesus died on the cross? Or does it mean “I believe that Jesus is all I need and he loves me with an unconditional love.”
Test #3 –functional adequacy —
If I believe that sin is not the root issue and that something else is the root issue – me doubting God’s love for me and that he is enough for me then I can focus on that root issue rather than simply trying to cut of my hand our gouge out my eye when the illness is far deeper. When I’m tempted, rather than just running away from the temptation I should re-focus my thoughts on the love that God has for me – and all that he has given me – rather than what I don’t have. That re-focus will help drown out the desires for more.
And as scripture says, “We love because he loved us.” So as I discover how much God loves me and that his love truly is enough – I learn to love him even more.
In addition, when I believe that sin is not the root issue but that it’s doubting God’s love for someone – when I see someone sinning, I don’t focus on trying to convince them that they’re doing wrong – I try and pour out more love on them and try to encourage them that God is all they need.
It’s a difference in “loving your neighbor” by pointing out all the things they’re doing wrong – or “loving your neighbor” by pointing out the fullness they could have in Jesus.
When I try and lose weight, if I focus on “juicy steaks and cheeseburgers are bad for me” then all I think about is the juicy steak or hamburger. But when I realize a veggie burger with mushrooms is plenty to keep me satisfied, the hamburger ends up looking disgusting and I lose my desire for it.
Thanks for your thoughtful reply. I suspect that we may be debating if the glass is 1/2 full or 1/2 empty.
I believe that pride is the root cause of sin–but one could argue that pride comes from doubting that God is good enough. I don’t see anywhere in the Bible where doubting God goodness was/is the cause of sin.