Counsel of Spiritual Life

Counsel #2 — The Origin Of Sin

Picture: Counsel #2 — The Origin Of Sin CSL 92.1

Lucifer, a created being of immense power and beauty, held a high position in heaven. However, pride and ambition led him to desire worship for himself, a position reserved solely for God. This rebellion marked the inception of sin, a deliberate act of defiance against divine authority. After rejecting Christ’s pleas to admit his error and repent, Lucifer, now transformed into Satan, was banished from heaven along with his angelic followers, and sin entered the created order.^[93] CSL 92.2

Sin arose on Earth when Satan tempted Adam and Eve, the first humans, to disobey God's command. Their decision to believe and act on Satan's deception, turning against God, their Friend and Creator, brought sin into humanity. This act not only resulted in their separation from God but also brought about a fundamental change in human nature, inclining humanity toward sin. Thus, the origin of sin is attributed to a spiritual rebellion in the heavenly realms, followed by a human choice that introduced sin into the world, with its deadly consequences.^[94] CSL 92.3

“So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:9 NKJV CSL 92.4

“Nothing is more plainly taught in Scripture than that God was in no wise responsible for the entrance of sin….” Ellen White in The Great Controversy, pp. 492, 493 CSL 92.5

Reflect: How does Revelation 12:9 support the idea of a cosmic struggle between good and evil? CSL 92.6