One small step off the path doesn’t sound like a big deal but the longer that misstep is left uncorrected, the more likely you end up in a place you never intended.
The Bible word for this is “iniquity”.
Iniquity comes from the Hebrew word “aVON”
- Used 215 times and is translated as “wickedness”, “guilt”, “sin”, “perverse”, “distorted”
- Avon is the noun for the verb AVAH which is “to be crooked”, “to be bent” or “go astray”
Transgression is felt pretty quickly by the one we transgress with. The tough thing about INIQUITY is that we can keep this hidden for a long time.
- The danger is that it grows until it’s eaten us up from the inside out
- It takes us farther than we want to go and costs more than we intended to pay
Sin is doing the wrong thing, but iniquity is “not doing the right thing”
[James 4:17]
“Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.”
There are two ways that God responds to avon in the Bible.
First, he allows us to experience the consequences of our own avon
Second, he cares our avon for us
[Psalm 32:5]
“Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD .” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude.”
[Proverbs 16:6]
“Unfailing love and faithfulness make atonement for [iniquity]. Be fearing the Lord, people avoid evil.”