The sin cycle is a reality that impacts every person. It begins with desire, progresses to sin, and ultimately leads to death. James captures this progression succinctly: “Each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death” (James 1:14-15). This destructive cycle can be broken, however, by the Truth—the Word of God—which holds all things together and leads us into a life cycle of growth, transformation, and communion with God.
Understanding the Sin Cycle: The Axis of Evil Desire
The sin cycle is not merely a series of isolated events but a pattern deeply rooted in humanity's fallen nature. Its origins can be traced back to the Garden of Eden, where the "axis of evil desire" emerged, as described in 1 John 2:16: “For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world.”
This axis represents three dimensions of temptation: the lust of the flesh, which is the craving for physical gratification; the lust of the eyes, which reflects covetousness and materialism; and the pride of life, which signifies a desire for status and self-exaltation. These desires do not originate from God but from the fallen world, and they create a space where sin is conceived and nurtured.
The Garden of Eden: The Beginning of the Sin Cycle
In the Garden of Eden, this axis of evil desire was the gateway through which sin entered the world. The serpent tempted Eve by appealing to all three points on this axis. Genesis 3:6 recounts the moment of temptation: “When the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food (lust of the flesh) and pleasing to the eye (lust of the eyes), and also desirable for gaining wisdom (pride of life), she took some and ate it.” This act of disobedience initiated the sin cycle that has ensnared humanity ever since.
Scriptural Symmetry: The Bridge Between Cycles
To transition from the sin cycle to the life cycle, we must understand the parallel structure of these two spiritual realities. The sin cycle is marked by the axis of evil desire—lust of the flesh, lust of the eyes, and pride of life—each drawing us further into separation from God. In contrast, the life cycle is marked by the virtues of the Spirit—self-control, contentment, and humility—each drawing us closer to God.
Lust of the Flesh vs. Self-Control: Where the sin cycle is fueled by the lust of the flesh, the life cycle thrives on self-control. This virtue is not something we muster on our own but is a fruit of the Spirit that grows in us as we live in communion with God. It redirects our cravings from the desires of the flesh to the desires of the Spirit.
Lust of the Eyes vs. Contentment: The lust of the eyes entices us to seek satisfaction in what we see, leading to covetousness and materialism. The life cycle, however, replaces this with contentment, a deep-seated peace and satisfaction that comes from trusting in God’s provision. Contentment breaks the grip of materialism and roots us in the sufficiency of Christ.
Pride of Life vs. Humility: The pride of life exalts the self, seeking status and recognition at the expense of others. In the life cycle, humility is the virtue that counters this destructive pride. Humility leads us to place God at the center of our lives, recognizing that true greatness comes from serving Him and others.
The Life Cycle: The Power of God’s Truth
At the core of the life cycle is the Truth—the Word of God. Jesus declared, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4). The Word is not merely information; it is the living Truth that sustains and transforms us.
Meditating on God’s Word—engaging in mindful muttering—produces the faith needed to access grace. This meditation is not a passive activity but an active engagement with the Truth, combining the realities of the New Covenant like chemical chains that create a conduit from the spiritual realm to the material realm through our minds. Our mind serves as the gate, and as we align our thoughts with God’s Truth, we open ourselves to the full revelation of our identity as His beloved, accepted, forgiven, holy, and blameless children in Christ.
God’s Word is described as sharper than any double-edged sword, capable of penetrating even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart (Hebrews 4:12). This means that the Word of God has the power to cut away what is not of God, bringing our thoughts into obedience to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This process is essential for breaking the sin cycle and establishing a life cycle characterized by growth and spiritual maturity.
The Power of the Tongue: Steering Our Lives with the Word
James teaches us about the incredible power of the tongue, comparing it to a small rudder that can steer a large ship (James 3:4-5). The tongue, though small, holds the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). When our words are aligned with God’s Truth, they become a powerful tool for steering our lives in the right direction.
Speaking the Word of God is not just an act of faith; it is a spiritual weapon. Just as Jesus responded to temptation with the words, “It is written,” we too can resist the enemy by speaking the Truth of God’s Word. This is the essence of submitting to God and resisting the devil (James 4:7). By aligning our words with God’s Truth, we bring our lives into alignment with His will, cutting off the sin cycle and establishing a path toward life.
Growing Through the Word: The Foundation of Spiritual Life
Spiritual growth begins with feeding on the Word of God. As newborn believers, we start with the “milk of the Word” (1 Peter 2:2), which provides the basic nourishment we need to grow in our faith. As we continue to immerse ourselves in Scripture, our minds are renewed, our desires are purified, and we become more aligned with God’s will.
This process of growth is not merely intellectual; it is a transformation that takes place at the deepest level of our being. Romans 12:2 instructs us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, allowing us to discern God’s perfect will. As we grow in our understanding of Scripture, we begin to reflect more of Christ in our lives, moving from one degree of glory to another (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Intimacy with the Holy Spirit: The Heart of the Life Cycle
The life cycle reaches its fullness through daily communion with God, particularly through intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Jude 1:20 instructs us to build ourselves up on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, a practice that is essential for accessing the grace in which we stand (Romans 5:2). This spiritual communion allows us to be kept by the power of God through faith (1 Peter 1:5), maintaining a constant connection with Him.
This intimate relationship with the Holy Spirit is akin to drawing from the wells of salvation (Isaiah 12:3) and flowing in the river of living water that comes from God, who is enthroned in our hearts (John 7:38-39, Revelation 22:1). As we pray in the Spirit (1 Corinthians 14:14-15) and walk according to the Spirit (Romans 8:1-4), we are continually refreshed, empowered, and guided by God’s presence within us. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to put to death the deeds of the flesh (Galatians 5:16, 24), enabling us to overcome sinful desires and live in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us. This daily communion is what empowers us to live a life that reflects the Truth of God’s Word, enabling us to walk in the fullness of the life cycle.
Delighting in the Lord: Aligning Our Desires with His
Psalm 37:4 offers a profound promise: “Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.” But how does this actually work? Jesus provides the key in John 15:7: “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.” The connection is clear: as we delight in the Lord by abiding in His Word, our desires begin to align with His will.
When we ask according to His will, He hears us, and if He hears us, we know we have what we asked (1 John 5:14-15). Thus, Psalm 37:4 is fulfilled through the process of abiding in Christ and letting His Word shape our desires. This alignment of desires is central to the life cycle, creating a full circle where our hearts’ desires are granted because they are in perfect harmony with God’s will.
Grace Reigning Through Righteousness: Living in Victory
Grace is the foundation of the life cycle. Paul writes in Romans 5:21, “Just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” This grace is not something we earn but a gift from God, enabling us to live in victory over sin.
Living in grace means that we are no longer striving to earn God’s favor; rather, we are responding to the work He is already doing within us. As we grow in grace, we work out our salvation with reverence and awe, knowing that it is God who works in us to will and to act according to His good purpose (Philippians 2:12-13). This process leads us into the fullness of the eternal life that God has promised.
Notes
Satan’s Fall and the Origin of the Sin Cycle: The sin cycle can be traced back to Satan’s rebellion, where iniquity was found in him (Ezekiel 28:15-17). This rebellion introduced sin into creation, setting the stage for the cycle of temptation, sin, and death that humanity experiences.
The Axis of Evil Desire: 1 John 2:16 describes the "axis of evil desire"—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life. These desires, which are not of the Father, were present in the Garden of Eden and continue to represent the points where sin begins in our lives.
The Life-Giving Virtues in God’s Kingdom: In contrast to the axis of evil desire, God’s Kingdom offers virtues such as self-control (Galatians 5:22-23), contentment (Philippians 4:11-13), and humility (Proverbs 22:4). These virtues reverse the destructive desires of the world and lead to life.
The Truth of God’s Word: The Word of God is essential to the life cycle. Jesus emphasized that man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). The Word is powerful, sharper than a double-edged sword, and it aligns our thoughts and actions with God’s will (Hebrews 4:12). Meditating on the Word through mindful muttering produces faith, which creates a conduit from the spiritual realm to the material realm through our mind.
The Power of the Tongue: The tongue has the power of life and death (Proverbs 18:21). When anointed by the Word of God, our words can steer our lives toward righteousness, helping us resist the devil and align our lives with God’s will (James 3:4-5, James 4:7).
Progressive Sanctification: Sanctification is a process, a journey of being made holy. It is not instantaneous but progressive, as we grow in the knowledge of Christ and are transformed into His image (2 Corinthians 3:18).
Intimacy with the Holy Spirit: The life cycle is incomplete without daily communion with God through intimacy with the Holy Spirit. Building ourselves up on our most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit is essential for accessing the grace in which we stand. Through this practice, we are kept by the power of God through faith, drawing from the wells of salvation and flowing in the river of living water that comes from God, enthroned in our hearts. The Holy Spirit also empowers us to put to death the deeds of the flesh, enabling us to live in the freedom that Christ has purchased for us.
Symmetry in Scripture: The contrast between the sin cycle and the life cycle illustrates the choices before us: life or death, blessing or curse (Deuteronomy 30:19). The life cycle is God’s invitation to live in the fullness of His grace and love, breaking free from the bondage of the sin cycle.
References
Morris, Leon. The Atonement: Its Meaning and Significance. InterVarsity Press, 1983.
Morris explores the theological depth of Christ’s atonement and its role in reversing the sin cycle. His work is foundational for understanding how atonement brings believers from death to life.
Grudem, Wayne. Systematic Theology: An Introduction to Biblical Doctrine. Zondervan, 1994.
Grudem’s comprehensive work on Christian doctrine provides valuable insights into sin, salvation, and sanctification, helping readers understand the transition from the sin cycle to the life cycle.
Packer, J.I. Knowing God. InterVarsity Press, 1973.
Packer’s classic work emphasizes the importance of knowing God personally, a key component of growing in the life cycle. His reflections on God’s nature and character are profound and life-changing.
Wright, N.T. Paul: A Biography. HarperOne, 2018.
Wright’s biography of the Apostle Paul offers deep insights into Paul’s theology of righteousness and how it applies to the believer’s journey from death to life.
Beale, G.K. A New Testament Biblical Theology: The Unfolding of the Old Testament in the New. Baker Academic, 2011.
Beale’s exploration of New Testament theology sheds light on how the themes of the Old Testament find their fulfillment in Christ, particularly in the transition from the sin cycle to the life cycle.
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