What is “sin?”

ld9VK.jpg


Many have often wondered what sin is exactly, and how to define it. I’ve heard it defined once as:

“‘Sin’ is a departure of the way things ought to be.”
However, I think that is a cop-out for people who don’t feel like thinking about it for too long. Here is a list of the infamous seven major sins of the Bible:
  • Envy
  • Gluttony
  • Wrath
  • Lust
  • Pride
  • Greed
  • Sloth
I used to believe this categorization at one point, until I saw it was inaccurate. To understand what sin is, we must look at how sin was created. When was the first time sin came into existence? As most know, it was the fall of Lucifer.

“For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High.” -Isaiah 14:13-14​
Some would say, “Oh, that’s just the sin of pride.” Wait a minute, the word “sin” does not exist at this point, remember? What Satan did, was sin. Sin is not a category. Sin is not the name of some folder you put your offenses to God in. Sin is the wrongdoing. Pride is the same thing as sin. Pride is sin, and sin is pride. Pride is not just one of many sins, it is the sin itself. That is why all sin will keep you from entering heaven, and why all must be judged. All sin is a fruit of pride. I understand this is probably a complicated concept to grasp, but consider the following:

Q: Why is “Lust” a sin?
A: Because when you lust for something, you scheme in your heart to take something that is not yours by force, to satisfy your own selfish desires. The root of lust is pride, which is the sin.​

Q: Why is “Greed” a sin?
A: Because greed is the excessive desire to possess an overabundant wealth of something, for your own desires. You want more than you need to satisfy your own selfish desires. The root of greed is pride, which is the sin.​

Q: Why is “Gluttony” a sin?
A: Because gluttony, like greed, is an excessive desire to over-indulge or over-consume something. You want more than you need and can handle, to satisfy your own selfish desires. The root of gluttony is pride, which is the sin.​

Q: Why is “Envy” a sin?
A: Because envy/covetousness is a desire to obtain something that another person has that you do not, or a desire for another person to lose what you don’t have. It is the excessive focus of oneself that causes an envious person to seek satisfaction to their selfish desires, often neglecting others. The root of envy is pride, which is the sin.​
My point is to show that every single thing we call “sin,” isn’t really the sin. The sin is pride. Take any sin you can think of, and you will find pride somewhere within it. Though the fruit of pride may take many shapes and forms, it is all coming from the same tree, and that’s why God hates it. The next time you are confronted with a question like “It doesn’t say in the Bible that ‘this’ is a sin, so how do you know if it is?” An easy answer to that question is “Is pride anywhere in that act? Are you elevating yourself above God (or others) by doing it? If so, then it is sin.”

Taken from: http://garrydavid.tumblr.com/post/7698558588/what-is-sin
 
You are complicating things a bit. Sin literallly means to "miss the mark". It is an act that accomplishes what was not intended (due to ignorance or apathy) or accomplishes something in a way that causes harm to others.
IMHO there is only one "kind" of sin, that is lying. It is for good reason that Satan is called the "Father of Lies".
All sins, at their root, are misrepresentations of reality, in other words "lies".
When a person steals, he lies about ownership of items.
Greed again is lying about ownership.
Sloth is lying about responsibility.
Etc.
 
We say all the time that sin means to "miss the mark," but that means nothing. It has no weight. As for what you said about lies, I would say the lie itself is just due to pride. If there was no pride, there was no lie. Pride is the sin. Satan is the father of lies because he was the first to follow after pride. It is complicated a bit, but not without cause. For example, when David murdered Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba, it is interesting to note Nathan pointed out through the story of the sheep that David's sin was not murder, and it was not adultery. It was theft. Theft was the root of what David did. Which I believe is evidence to prove my point on there being a deeper meaning to the sins we talk about when it comes to the eyes of God looking at them. As I mentioned, my theory is when God looks at sin, he sees pride across the board. There is no deeper root.
 
Romans 3:23 tells us that "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." That, to my understanding, is the definition of sin, at least as the term is applied to humans (which is surely all we need to worry about.) God created us in His image and likeness to be as much like Him as it is possible for a finite creature to be like an infinite creator. Every time we fall short of that standard, we sin.

Incidentally, the "seven deadly sins" are never listed as such in the Bible - they are a compilation by man. According to the Word, all sin is deadly, not just these seven expressions of sin.

blessings,

Lynn
 
We say all the time that sin means to "miss the mark," but that means nothing. It has no weight. As for what you said about lies, I would say the lie itself is just due to pride. If there was no pride, there was no lie. Pride is the sin. Satan is the father of lies because he was the first to follow after pride. It is complicated a bit, but not without cause. For example, when David murdered Uriah and committed adultery with Bathsheba, it is interesting to note Nathan pointed out through the story of the sheep that David's sin was not murder, and it was not adultery. It was theft. Theft was the root of what David did. Which I believe is evidence to prove my point on there being a deeper meaning to the sins we talk about when it comes to the eyes of God looking at them. As I mentioned, my theory is when God looks at sin, he sees pride across the board. There is no deeper root.

Since SIN was the cause of the fall of man in the Garden, and what Adam and Eve did was DISOBAY God, could we not by that action summize that SIN IS DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD's WORD?
 
" "All have sinned and come short of the glory of God." That, to my understanding, is the definition of sin,"

That isn't the definition of sin, that is the reason why all of humanity is defaulting to hell. That says nothing about what sin is, just that all have it. Coming short of the glory of God is not sin. It says all have sinned AND come short of the glory of God. They are two separate things.

"Incidentally, the "seven deadly sins" are never listed as such in the Bible - they are a compilation by man. According to the Word, all sin is deadly, not just these seven expressions of sin."

That's my point exactly. My theory is what I've come up with to explain why all sin is deadly and why all sin will keep you from heaven. It's because in God's eyes, all sin is rooted in pride.
 
Sin is doing something that God told YOU not to do.

Sin is not doing something that God told YOU to do.

Short and to the point - I like that!!!!

Sin is disobedience/ rebellion against God, whether the command is written verbalized or spoken from within.
Scriptures say the Law is written on our hearts, so we have no excuse.

I must agree, "Miss the Mark" is a poor, poor definition. A lot of sin are deliberate - these people often hit the target they are aiming for right in the bulleye!!!!
 
Hi All,

Why are we attempting to redefine what the Lord has already defined in great detail? Sin is defined by the Law of God not the theories and judgements of men. Sin is the transgression of the Law of the Lord. All transgressions carry equal weight for the punishment for all transgressions is death. THAT is what makes Grace so amazing.

1 John 3:4 "Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law."

Romans 5:13 "(For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law."

Romans 3:20 "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

The Lord has already defined sin by the law He has given us and HIS is the only definition that counts for anything. It is by HIS definition we will be judged, not our definition.
 
I never said I was attempting to redefine sin, nor did I do that. Nothing I said contradicts scripture. On the contrary, it brings scripture to life. Sin is more than just "disobeying the law," even though it does mean that too. For example, 1 John 3:4 was written when laws were already established, therefore that definition applies. But what about in Abraham's day? Or Noah? Or Job? There was no law. Does that mean they were without sin? I mean the Bible does say "sin is the transgression of the law!" If there was no law, there is no transgression therefore Christ wasn't the first without sin, says the Atheist person. See? You could be trapped if you don't understand what sin is. However, sin is not just not obeying laws. You could OBEY laws and STILL be in sin. Sin is the state of letting pride find itself inside one's heart. There would be no "sin" (the word "sin" would not exist) if satan had rejected pride and submitted himself to God. But he didn't, therefore sin exists.
 
You say you are not seeking to redefine sin and yet that is exactly what you are trying to do! Several have offered their view points and at least two have nailed it on the head and still you query, for what possible other reason than to find a loop hole where there is none? None here will tickle your ears with lies and it is a fact, defined by God in His revelation of Himself as disobedience to Him. If you truly wish to study and not to redefine, purchase a copy of the Nave´s Topical Bible and do the study, there outlined, on sin.
 
@Bill:

Looking at something from a different perspective means I'm trying to find a loophole? I have no idea what you're talking about. Have you even read my posts or what?
 
Sin is more than what has been quoted from the Scriptures. The Law had a purpose - to condemn. But the law has no power over us now because of Jesus' sacrifice for sin.

Now, before anyone jump on me for saying there's more to sin than disobeying the law..... remember, we do not keep the 800 (or however many laws are written in the Old Testament.

If you refer to the Ten Commandments as "The Law", you would still be missing a part of the sin equation, because sin is not only doing something you know is wrong, but also not doing something you know is right!

For example, if you see someone suffering and do nothing to help, you are sinning just as much as if you are causing the suffering.

Ginger
 
I appreciate your efforts to understand what I'm saying, Ginger. I am honestly shocked to see how many people were so quick to stone me. "Who cares if you don't contradict scripture, you're giving a different angle!" *throws rocks*
 
Sin is placing my plans over God's plans, my self over God, or my desires over God's will. It may be rooted in pride, but I think it's a bit broader than simple pride. Pride is one manifestation of sin, but I'm reasonably sure that there can be sin without pride. Yet, it is a bit of a perspective. It could certainly be argued that pride is at the root, but I have to try to view it objectively. Just because I cannot think of any direct examples, doesn't mean that there are none.

Aenon, I know you haven't asked for it, but I wish to offer you some advice. I've been on this site for a long time. We are dedicated to Christian fellowship. The responses you are seeing are due to a perception of arrogance. It may not be your intention, but the way that you posts read it appears to be. There are many, many people who come here to "teach us". There are so many that have an agenda. Perhpas it would help if you would socialize a bit more often and teach a bit less.
 
That's very good advice, Aenon. I think you would be a wonderful addition to our CFS family, but people need to get to know you a little bit and they will misunderstand less often. :)

Ginger
 
I never said I was attempting to redefine sin, nor did I do that. Nothing I said contradicts scripture. On the contrary, it brings scripture to life. Sin is more than just "disobeying the law," even though it does mean that too. For example, 1 John 3:4 was written when laws were already established, therefore that definition applies. But what about in Abraham's day? Or Noah? Or Job? There was no law. Does that mean they were without sin? I mean the Bible does say "sin is the transgression of the law!" If there was no law, there is no transgression therefore Christ wasn't the first without sin, says the Atheist person. See? You could be trapped if you don't understand what sin is. However, sin is not just not obeying laws. You could OBEY laws and STILL be in sin. Sin is the state of letting pride find itself inside one's heart. There would be no "sin" (the word "sin" would not exist) if satan had rejected pride and submitted himself to God. But he didn't, therefore sin exists.

Whether or not you are aware of the Law of God you will be judged by it and that includes those born before Moses. for it is not by hearing of the Law that we are justified but by the DOING of the Law.

Romans 2:12 "For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13(For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.)

But understand that by the sin of Adam and Eve all who are descended from them have KNOWLEDGE of good and evil already whether they hear the Law or not.
 
Short and to the point - I like that!!!!

Sin is disobedience/ rebellion against God, whether the command is written verbalized or spoken from within.
Scriptures say the Law is written on our hearts, so we have no excuse.

I must agree, "Miss the Mark" is a poor, poor definition. A lot of sin are deliberate - these people often hit the target they are aiming for right in the bulleye!!!!

Yes.....Sin is disobedience.

We know that sin came into the world when the serpent, Satan, tempted Adam and Eve and they disobeyed God (Genesis 3; Romans 5:12). They were told by God NOT TO EAT OF A CERTAIN TREE. They ignored God and did what that wanted to do. THEY DISOBEYED THE WORD OF GOD. The essence of the problem stemmed from the human desire to be like God. All sin, therefore, has its roots in idolatry—the attempt to put something or someone in the place of the Creator. Most often, that someone is one's own self. While God allows sin, he is not the author of sin. All sins are an offense to God and they separate us from him (Isaiah 59:2).
 
You are complicating things a bit. Sin literallly means to "miss the mark". It is an act that accomplishes what was not intended (due to ignorance or apathy) or accomplishes something in a way that causes harm to others.

To clear something up here, sin does not literally mean "miss the mark". One word in Greek that is translated as sin in most Bibles actually means "miss the mark", the other word means wrongdoing. Both are translated as "sin" for convenience, and to avoid doctrinarian. I tend to distinguish them as willful sin vs. a mistake or error, but many others also make no distinction whatsoever. Different denominations have different perspectives on where the relevance lies.
 
Back
Top