“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name have cast out devils? And in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)
It is surprising that most believers do not know what iniquity is. To many, iniquity and sin are synonymous. However, when you study the topic of sin in the bible you will find that there is a big difference between sin and iniquity. The words, sin, and iniquity, are found together in some form in about 70 verses in the Bible. Many times, they are used parallel to one another, as in Psalm 38:18. Although they have the same basic meaning, there is something that distinguishes them.
Iniquity in the Hebrew is “`avon” and means, “to bend, twist, distort” so iniquities are a bending, twisting, or distorting of the law or God’s Word to different degrees worthy of punishment.
Sin means “to miss the mark", it can also mean doing something against God or a person (Exodus 10:16), doing the opposite of what is right (Galatians 5:17), doing something that'll have negative results (Proverbs 24:33-34), and failing to do what you know is right (James 4:17). Sin leads to trespassing a line that should not be crossed. A trespass may be intentional or unintentional.
Transgression (“Pesha”) is a willful act of disobedience. It is a transgression done specifically to spite God. Transgression refers to presumptuous sin. It means “to choose to intentionally disobey; willful trespassing.” When we knowingly run a stop sign, tell a lie, or blatantly disregard an authority, this is transgressing. David meant this kind of sin when he wrote, “Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered” (Psalm 32:1).
The bible uses words like iniquity, transgression, sin, and trespasses to indicate the varying degrees of disobedience. Iniquity refers to a willful, knowing transgression of God’s law where one’s desires starts to dominate the person’s life.
First John 3:4 gives perhaps the best definition of sin that there is in the Bible and it says “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” Therefore, sin is the transgression of the law of God. Every iniquity is sin but some sins are not as worthy of punishment as others.
A big part of the mystery of iniquity that the Word of God speaks about is to have God’s people believe that sin is the same thing as iniquity. Every believer knows that sin is a transgression of God’s law, but when it comes to iniquity many have no idea.
Iniquity is more deeply rooted. Iniquity means “premeditated choice, continuing without repentance.”Micah 2:1 says, “Woe to those who plan iniquity, to those who plot evil on their beds! At morning’s light they carry it out because it is in their power to do it.” Iniquity left unchecked leads to a state of willful sin with no fear of God. The build-up of unrepentant sin is compared as a “cup of iniquity” filled to the brim (Revelation 17:4; Genesis 15:16). The sons of Eli are examples of reprobates whom God judged for their iniquities instead of repenting, the sons continued in their abominations until repentance was no longer possible (I Samuel 3:13-14).
In many places in the scriptures, iniquity also seems to be a word dealing with all kinds of sin. However, with iniquity, there is a difference. First of all, whereas sin deals with the action or lack of action that is wrong, iniquity deals more with the character or nature of the act. The word, iniquity, comes from in-equity and it refers to that which is unequal, unfair, or unjust. That explains why David in Psalm 32:5 refers to "the iniquity of my sin." His sinful actions had the character of iniquity; of being unequal.
Iniquity consists of violating the law of right between two individuals. It is to wrongful or injurious actions towards another, infliction of wrong, injury. To practice iniquity is to be unjust and unequal in our dealings with others. The scripture refers to them as the workers of iniquity. The money Judas received for betraying Jesus is called "the reward of iniquity" (Acts 1:18).
Iniquity also involves a transgression of the law of God but it is more severe. In essence, iniquity is excusing our sin, rationalizing our sin, or failing to agree with God that our sin is sin. Adam’s sin of eating the forbidden fruit turned to iniquity when he said, “The woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me...”
When God’s word says you have transgressed His law, and you say anything other than to ask forgiveness you are in iniquity. Only the power of the Blood of Jesus can cover our sin and empower us to stop sinning. If we hide our sin, or fail to agree with God, or do not purpose to stop and turn away from our sin, then it becomes iniquity.
Jesus came to save sinners. He cannot and will not save workers of iniquity. Iniquity is sin which instead of saying Amen to the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit, says everybody sins every day. When iniquity is left unchecked, iniquity becomes full, and one will no longer hear the convicting voice of the Holy Spirit. Iniquity gives any excuse or any covering of any sin other than repenting and seeking forgiveness. Matthew 7:22-23 tells us why it is very important that we understand the difference between sin and iniquity. There will not be any workers of iniquity in heaven. A worker of iniquity is anyone who makes excuses for his sin.
The danger with iniquity is that in making excuses for our sin, we not only refuse to repent, but we are in essence calling God an unjust or unrighteous Judge. We judge God when we excuse our sin and turn it into iniquity. For any sin to be forgiven we must admit it is sin. Sin is not a mistake as many teach today.
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