Brain Research Sheds New Light on the Nature of Sin:
Or, the Gospel According to Flip Wilson (Almost).
In the 1970s, comedian Flip Wilson brought laughs to his audience, blaming bad behavior on “The Devil Made Me Do It….” Well, that may not be quite trust but brain research in recent years has shed new light on the nature of sin, which suggests a compelling force fully committing the heart to sin before the mind is even aware that the decision was fully formed to do so. This shifts the understanding of shame and condemnation. If we were compelled beyond our ability to resist (outside of Christ’s help), then we don’t seek to reform our bad habits so much more as we should be looking to God for freedom from the compelling force of transgression, the man of sin on the inside of us. Don’t waste time in fruitless self-recrimination, cry out to God for deliverance, not just from the devil (Ref. Flip Wilson) but from ourselves, the sin nature dwelling on the inside of us.
One study conducted in 2008 found that the brain makes decisions up to 10 seconds before the conscious mind is aware of them. Since sin involves a decision to disobey, this suggests that transgression arises not from the conscious mind but from something scripture refers to as the mind of the flesh. You have three minds at work in you at any given time. The natural mind (your conscious mind), the mind of the flesh, and the mind of the Spirit (if so be that Christ lives in you by virtue of repentance and submission to the Lordship of Jesus, bringing about the New Birth). This finding has profound implications for our understanding of sin, suggesting that sin may be more than just a conscious choice to break God’s law.
The sin nature
The Apostle Paul wrote extensively about the sin nature, which he described as a force within us that compels us to sin. If you are forced, compelled to do something by a force inherent to your nature but subliminal to your cognitive awareness, then there are implications to be drawn that will powerfully liberate you from shame and condemnation. Paul puts it this way (controversial even now, 2000 years later), he wrote, “Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me” (Romans 7:17). Paul understood that sin is more than just a transgression; it is a principle that originates and takes its strength and determination before crashing into our awareness.
The brain research on decision-making suggests that the sinful nature may be rooted in the subconscious mind. The subconscious mind is the part of the mind that operates outside of our conscious awareness. It is responsible for many automatic behaviors, such as breathing and blinking. It is also responsible for many of our emotions and motivations.
The fact that the brain makes decisions up to 10 seconds before the conscious mind is aware of them suggests that the sin nature may be at work in the subconscious mind. The sin nature may be making resolute decisions to sin before our conscious mind even has a chance to stop it. The suggestion then would be that you are not just a sinner, you are a servant of sin. As Bob Dylan’s song declares “Ya gotta serve somebody….” If you are a servant of sin then condemnation and guilt take on a different perspective in view of the fact that the imposition of responsibility lies beyond your own cognitive, volitional ability at the door of what scripture calls the “man of sin” on the inside of every one of us, even if we are Christians, because we still walk around in bodies and minds that have yet to be fully transformed by the work of Christ.
Implications for shame and guilt
Again the brain research on decision-making also has implications for our understanding of shame and guilt. If the sin nature is making decisions to sin without our conscious awareness, then how can we feel guilty for those sins?
Paul wrote, “With the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin” (Romans 7:25). This verse suggests that there is a conflict between the heart (volition, intent of man) and the flesh. The mind influenced by the heart wants to serve God, but the flesh wants to sin, overcoming the mind (the servant of sin) and compelling us to transgression (where it not for the intervening grace of the indwelling Christ – – if we so cooperate because, unlike sin which is compulsory, the Spirit of God in you will offer to help and assist in fighting against sin but never compel or take away your power of choice as the man of sin, the sin nature do.
When we sin, it is the flesh that is sinning, not the mind. The mind is still serving God, even though the flesh is sinning. This means that we do not need to feel guilty for the sins that we commit without our conscious awareness, which according to brain research this commitment to sin, and resolve to transgress is fully formed and embraces 10 seconds (an eternity in quantum terms) before we THINK or become AWARE that the sin choice is active in us.
Dealing with the sin nature
The brain research on decision-making also has implications for how we deal with the sin nature. If the sin nature is making decisions to sin without our conscious awareness, then we cannot simply try to willpower our way to victory over sin. We need to address the root of the problem, which is the sin nature itself.
The only way to deal with the sin nature is through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can convict us of sin, empower us to resist temptation, and help us to grow in holiness.
Conclusion
The brain research on decision-making has profound implications for our understanding of sin. It suggests that sin may be more than just a conscious choice to break God’s law. It also suggests that we do not need to feel guilty for the sins that we commit without our conscious awareness.
The only way to deal with the sin nature is through the power of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit can convict us of sin, empower us to resist temptation, and help us to grow in holiness.
In addition to the above, here are some other thoughts on the implications of the brain research on the nature of sin:
The brain research suggests that sin is not just a behavioral problem, but also a cognitive problem. Our thoughts and beliefs play a role in our sinful behavior.
The brain research also suggests that sin is not just a personal problem, but also a societal problem. Our culture and environment can influence our thoughts and beliefs, and thus our sinful behavior.
The brain research also suggests that there is hope for change. Even though we are all prone to sin, the Holy Spirit can help us to overcome our sin nature and grow in holiness.
Here are some practical ways to deal with the sin nature:
Pray for the Holy Spirit to convict you of sin and empower you to resist temptation.
Study the Bible to learn about God’s Word and to grow in your knowledge of God.
Spend time with other believers who can support you and encourage you in your walk with Christ.
Be honest with yourself about your own sinfulness and don’t be afraid to ask for help from others.
Remember, you are not alone in your struggle with sin. God loves you, and He wants to help you to overcome your sinful nature.
