It is really difficult to talk about sin. Teaching or discussing the topic of sin is unpleasant, like perhaps the topic of death. We do not like to think of ourselves as bad or evil. We are uncomfortable with the assignment of personal responsibility. It is difficult to grasp the concept of sin as an inner force and controlling power rather just simply in terms of sin as individual wrong acts. We sometimes respond to the discomfort and challenge of the topic with an overreaction or exaggeration that blames everything on sin and expresses a self focused hopelessness. We address the topic of sin this morning because the scriptures do.