Disobedience of God.

Sin, or 'iniquity', is the breaking of God's law-disobeying God. Adam and Eve were given rules to obey and they broke the rules. The penalty was death (see Genesis 3:16-19). When Israel became a nation God gave them a law to obey, which they promised to do (see Exodus 19:1-8), but they failed repeatedly. This was sin, and they were punished. God was always ready to forgive them if they repented (for example see 2 Chronicles 6:22-42). The details of God's law through Moses, form the basis of the law of Christ (see Matthew 5:17-48), and all God's laws are included in the simple command to love God and our neighbours. Our protection against sin is prayer, and the understanding of God's word. David says: "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against You." (Psalm 119:11).

The apostle James tells us: "…each one is tempted when, by his own desire, he is dragged away 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).

And Paul writes: "Shall we go on sinning so that [God's] grace may increase? By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?" (Romans 6:1-2).