What was the first sin?

Answer

The initial sin must have occurred before Adam and Eve chose to sin because the deceiver in the garden was already wicked before engaging with Eve. There is no biblical proof of any sin happening before Satan’s.

The event of Satan, also known as Lucifer, being expelled from heaven is detailed in Isaiah 14:12: “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!” (NASB). Some translations, like the New King James, use the term Lucifer instead of “star of the morning,” which is the origin of Lucifer’s name.

It is crucial to recognize that Lucifer’s transgression occurred before humanity’s sin. According to Romans 5:12–21, all individuals throughout history (excluding Jesus) have been sinners due to Adam’s sin. As Lucifer’s sin happened before Adam’s, it also preceded that of all humanity.

Moreover, Lucifer’s sin seemingly came before that of the other fallen angels who, presumably, turned into demons. In Revelation 12:4, it is mentioned that the dragon’s tail (representing Satan or Lucifer) “swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth.” Subsequently, in verse 9, it states that “the devil, or Satan, . . . was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” This passage describes Satan’s fall, where he led one-third of the holy angels in rebellion. Therefore, Lucifer’s sin preceded both human sin and the sin of the other angels.

Lastly, the Bible does not disclose any other creatures capable of sinning against God. Angels and humans are the sole beings with moral responsibility and the capacity to sin. It is logical to infer that Lucifer’s sin was indeed the first sin, as both human and angelic sins occurred after his rebellion. There appears to have been no sin prior to Lucifer’s transgression.