1. _Sin is defiling._ "There is a generation that are pure in their own
eyes, and yet is not washed from their filthiness." Prov. 30:12. "Though
your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be
red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Isa. 1:18. Here we see the
defiling nature of sin. It stains the soul as with scarlet. White is the
emblem of purity. The pure soul is spoken of as being clothed in "fine
linen, clean and white." Sin stains those robes with crimson, or scarlet
spots. Though you wash with niter, or with much soap, those deep-dyed
marks of iniquity can not be thus cleansed away.

2. _Sin is deceiving._ "But exhort one another daily, while it is called
to-day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin."
Heb. 3:13. One sin has opened the gate or way to many more. There is a
kind of opiate power in sin that renders its victim unconscious of its
awful magnitude, thus its deceitfulness.

3. _Sin is reproachful._ "Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a
reproach to any people." Prov. 14:34. We can not enable you to see that
sin is a reproach in any better way than by placing two pictures before
you. One picture is that of a community where all the citizens, old and
young, love and fear God. They live together in peace and love; there are
no quarrelings or contentions, envyings or unkindnesses among neighbors,
neither in home life. There is no stealing, lying, cheating, swearing,
drunkenness, fightings, backbitings, vulgarisms, unholy revelries, etc.
Such manner of life exalts that community, and all good people are
desirous of making their homes there.

The second picture is that of a community where neighbors are quarreling,
hating and lawing with each other. In home life there are angry words and
bitter feelings and estrangements. There are lewd revelries and wanton
pleasures. There are stealings and lyings, cheatings, fightings,
swearings, drinking, chewing and smoking, slang phrases, etc. Such is a
reproach, and thus we learn how righteousness exalts a nation and sin
becomes a reproach to any people.

4. _Sin gives death its horror._ "The sting of death is sin." 1 Cor.
15:56. Many a thing in this world carries a sting by which it inflicts
pain. Death and the thoughts of death are painful and cause a shudder and
fear because death has a sting. It is sin.

5. _Sin excludes the soul from heaven._ "Then said Jesus again unto them,
I go my way, and ye shall s