“There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me.”(Psalm 38:3–4 NKJV)
Psalm 38 is the cry of a broken man, overwhelmed by the weight of his sin. It reveals a profound truth often neglected: sin doesn’t only kill spiritually—it also deeply wounds us psychologically, socially, politically, and morally.
Sin hurts.
It destroys man from within and spreads pain outward.
Whether one is a believer or not, no one escapes the consequences of sin.
This message explores the extent of the pain caused by sin across multiple dimensions of human life.
1. Theologically: Sin offends God and breaks fellowship
From a spiritual point of view, sin is rebellion against God’s holiness.
The born-again believer feels this offense deeply.
The Holy Spirit convicts him of sin (John 16:8).
David says, “Your arrows pierce me deeply” (v.2), showing that the pain is not merely natural—it comes from God Himself.
Sin disrupts communion with the Father and causes the soul to descend into guilt, sorrow, and sometimes shame.
The joy of salvation fades, and spiritual dryness takes over.
2. Psychologically: Sin disturbs inner peace
On an emotional and mental level, sin acts as poison. David confesses: “I am troubled, I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long” (v.6).
Unresolved guilt can lead to:
Anxiety and depression
Low self-worth
Insomnia and mood disorders
Self-destructive thoughts
Modern psychology agrees: unresolved moral failure or internal conflict often leads to emotional distress.
Even those who do not believe in God are created with a conscience (Romans 2:14–15), and that conscience speaks loudly when sin is present.
3. Sociologically: Sin breaks relationships
Sin is never harmless or private.
It damages human relationships. It isolates and divides. David lamented, “My loved ones and my friends stand aloof from my plague” (v.11).
In society:
Adultery shatters families
Lies destroy friendships and trust
Jealousy breeds violence
Selfishness creates injustice.
Even in churches, unrepented sin causes conflict, division, and tarnishes the witness of the body of Christ.
4. Politically: Sin corrupts institutions
At the national level, sin becomes collective and systemic.
Injustice, corruption, abuse of power, and favoritism are all institutional sins.
Scripture says:
“Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people”(Proverbs 14:34).
When rulers sin:
The people suffer
Laws become oppressive
Peace is disrupted
Institutions lose their moral credibility.
Human history is full of the suffering caused by the sins of political leaders—wars, genocide, exploitation, and economic collapse.
5. For the born-again believer: an unbearable inner pain
To the born-again believer, sin is not just a mistake—it is a spiritual trauma.
The Holy Spirit will not let the heart remain at peace. David cries, “Lord, all my desire is before You; and my sighing is not hidden from You” (v.9).
When the believer sins:
He loses peace
He loses assurance
He loses the joy of prayer and reading the Word
He feels distant from God, even when surrounded by others
A true believer cannot live in sin without being internally tormented, because the Spirit in him wars against the flesh (Galatians 5:17)
The only remedy is repentance
Psalm 38 does not end in despair but in a plea for God’s help:
“Do not forsake me, O Lord; O my God, be not far from me! Come quickly to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” (vv.21–22)
Sin hurts—the soul, the body, the relationships, the nation, and even the world.
But God offers healing to those who truly repent.
Jesus bore our pain and was pierced for our transgressions (Isaiah 53:5).
Today, whoever confesses and forsakes sin will receive mercy.
Key Takeaway:
Sin is not just a moral issue—it is a universal plague.
It corrodes the heart and corrupts society.
But God’s grace is greater than all our sin.
« Where sin abounded, grace abounded much more. »(Romans 5:20)
For the edification of the saints,
Apostle Dr. Jean-Claude SINDAYIGAYA