When the Bible says sin brings forth death, is that talking about hell?
Question:
In James 1:13-16 at the end when it says "sin when it is full-grown brings forth death" or something like that. Is the "death" referring to hell?
Answer:
It is referring to spiritual death, which does ultimately lead to hell. Think about it this way: The first time you sin, it bothers you greatly. But with each repeat of the sin, it bothers you less. "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart; who, being past feeling, have given themselves over to lewdness, to work all uncleanness with greediness" (Ephesians 4:17-19). Eventually, you get to the point that it not only doesn't bother you, but you begin to convince yourself that you have a right to this particular sin. When it becomes so ingrained that you don't care what anyone else thinks because you are going to do it anyway, then there is nothing left to persuade you to leave sin. You're spiritually dead. "For the wages of sin is death ..." (Romans 6:23).
