Perhaps your idea of sin is similar to how mine used to be until I [thankfully] saw the light. I saw sin as the "fun, pleasurable, and exciting" thing I was forbidden to do. That explains why I kept falling into the same sins! The more I viewed sin as pleasurable, the more desire I had to indulge in it - even though I knew it was wrong. My desire overrode what I knew to be true.

Bottom line: Sin is a DESTROYER. It's not the "fun, pleasurable, and exciting" thing you're forbidden to do. It's the destructive and damning thing God is trying to keep you away from since it will 1) separate you from Him, 2) destroy your life, and 3) potentially destroy the lives of those around you.

The bible knocks down the enticing and inviting facade of sin in many verses. Before you read them, pray that your eyes will be opened to the truth in these scriptures (Psalm 119:18):

There is a way that seems right (pleasing) to a man, but in the end it leads to death. (Proverbs 14:12)

In other words, regardless of how right or pleasing sin looks, feels, tastes, sounds, smells; it will always lead to death. Another meaning for the word sin here is misery. The end result of sin is always misery.

When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:20, 21, 23)

These verses ask questions, and give answers. They ask, what benefit did you get from the sin you committed? It may have been fun then, but now you're too ashamed to even mention it (I know there are some things I've done that I will NEVER use as examples at church! They're just too shameful to admit in public). Though the actions seemed exciting, fun, and pleasurable at the time, I produced no lasting fruit from them...only shame...only death. Why? Because the wages (paycheck, reward) of sin is death. If you work for Satan, he's going to pay you. And the last I heard, the pay was absolutely wretched! Sin isn't fun...it's a destroyer.

But each one is tempted when he is carried away and enticed by his own lust. Then when lust has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and when sin is accomplished, it brings forth death. (James 1:14-15)

Temptation, lust, sin, death -- sounds like a teaser for a new reality television show! Temptation is based in your emotions or desires. You're tempted when you have an intense desire (lust) for something that will ultimately destroy you. When you act on your lust, your lust delivers a child called sin. Once the "lust child" (sin) has run its course and done its damage, it brings about death. Always!

See sin for what it really is: a lethal injection of poison that brings pleasure for a short moment. By the time the pleasure wears off, however, the death cycle has already begun.

I close with wisdom from Proverbs 7:24-27. In context it describes the dangers of messing around with a whorish woman. Yet, the similarities to sin are uncanny. I will substitute all references to the woman with the word "sin."

Now therefore, listen to me, my children; pay attention to the words of my mouth: Do not let your heart turn aside to [sin's] ways, do not stray into [sin's] paths; for [sin] has cast down many wounded, and all who were slain by [sin] were strong men. [Sin's] house is the way to hell, descending to the chambers of death. (Proverbs 7:24-27)

No one wins the sin game. Not you, me, any preacher, Christian, politician, athlete or any other person who thinks he or she has the "upperhand" on sin. Sin is a killer, and will destroy you if you mess with it.

That's the truth about sin.