full

full
Published on:

27th Aug 2026

What Is Sin? (Pursuit 04)

In this lesson, we confront a topic that modern culture often avoids or redefines: the biblically honest, intellectually rigorous diagnosis of human nature. Up to this point, we've seen that God exists, He loves us, the Bible is reliable, and every person has intrinsic worth as an image-bearer. But if that’s true, why is the world so overwhelmingly broken? Why is our news feed a constant stream of cruelty, betrayal, and tragedy? And why do we so often do the very things we swear we won't do?

Every worldview attempts to diagnose this tension and prescribe a cure. Secular humanism points to a lack of education and resources. Eastern pantheism points to ignorance and individuality. Modern pop psychology blames toxic environments and bad parenting. What all these modern approaches have in common is the belief that the primary flaw lies outside of us, while the ultimate solution lies within us.

The Christian worldview offers a radical, counterintuitive diagnosis. It looks at the brokenness of our world and uses a word systematically erased from modern conversation: sin. Today, culture has repackaged sin as an arbitrary checklist of prudish rules or a marketing term for high-calorie desserts. But the Bible defines sin not as external rules, but as a fatal internal disease. If we get the diagnosis wrong, every solution we try will fail.

--

The PursueGOD Truth podcast is the “easy button” for making disciples – whether you’re looking for resources to lead a family devotional, a small group at church, or a one-on-one mentoring relationship. Join us for new episodes every Tuesday and Friday.

Find resources to talk about these episodes at pursueGOD.org.

Help others go "full circle" as a follower of Jesus through our 12-week Pursuit series.

Click here to learn more about how to use these resources at home, with a small group, or in a one-on-one discipleship relationship.

Got questions or want to leave a note? Email us at podcast@pursueGOD.org.

Donate Now

--

Show artwork for The PursueGOD Truth Podcast

About the Podcast

The PursueGOD Truth Podcast
If you seek him, you'll find him.
The official faith and life podcast for the discipleship resources at pursueGOD.org. Great for families, small groups, and one-on-one mentoring. New sermonlink topics every Friday.

About your host

Profile picture for Bryan Dwyer

Bryan Dwyer