The Bible by example and direct statement identifies what constitutes sin. Sin is described in 1John 3:4 as a “transgression” of God’s spiritual law. The passage reads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (KJV).One who commits sin violates or disobeys the will of God as revealed in the Bible.God’s spiritual law forbids stealing (Ephesians 4:28). If one decides to steal from another, he has disobeyed God’s command and thus sinned. God’s spiritual law also forbids adultery and other forms of sexual immorality including hom*osexuality (Romans 1:24-29; 1 Corinthians 6:18; 10:8; 1 Thess. 4:3, etc.). when one chooses to engage in these forms of sexual immorality, he has violated God’s spiritual law and thus sinned.
Another definition of sin is given in James 4:17 which reads, “Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Refusing to do what one knows is the right thing to do constitutes sin. This is a sin of omission. An example of this sin is given by Jesus in Matthew 23:23,“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you pay tithe of mint and anise and cumin and have neglected the weightier matters of the law: justice and mercy and faith. These you ought to have done, without leaving the others undone.”
Have YOU SINNED? Are you presently living in violation of God’s spiritual law? Are you failing to do the good you know you should do? Friend, sin separates you from God (Isa. 59:1-2). Sin places your eternal soul in jeopardy. Romans 6:23 teaches that “the wages of sin is death.” Spiritual death is what you are earning by continuing in the practice of sin.
Many make fun of sin. They scoff at the idea that sin will result in eternal separation from God in hell. But the Bible clearly teaches that all sinners will have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone which is the second death” (Rev. 21:8). In His preview of the judgment Jesus said of sinners, “These shall go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life” (Matt. 25:46).
Because of His love for us, God sent Jesus Christ to shed His precious blood to provide forgiveness of sins. To receive that forgiveness, one must obey what God has commanded for salvation – Faith in Christ (John 8:24), repentance (Acts 17:30-31), confession of faith in Christ (Rom. 10:9-10) and baptism into Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Rom. 6:3-5). God defines sin but He also defines the way of salvation. Which will you choose?
FAQs
We believe that sin is the willful transgression of the known law of God, and that such sin condemns a soul to eternal punishment unless pardoned by God through repentance, confession, restitution, and believing in Jesus Christ as his personal Savior.
What is the biblical definition of sin? ›
The biblical definition of sin is found in 1 John 3:4: “Sin is the transgression of the law” (King James Version). To sin is to transgress, or break, the law of God. The Bible says a lot about sin. It tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23) and that sin leads to death (Romans 6:23).
What is your own definition of sin? ›
A sin is a deeply regrettable action. The most common definition of sin is religious: it's an immoral act against God or divine law.
What is one way to define sin? ›
The Westminster Shorter Catechism, Question 14, asks, “What is sin?” The answer given is, “Sin is any want [lack] of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.” This is probably as good a definition as could be given of what sin is.
What are the three types of sins? ›
Virgil distinguishes between three types of sin: sins of 'incontinenza', sins of 'violenza', and sins of 'frode'.
How did Jesus define sin? ›
In his words, “We are slaves to sin.”7 He even says, “sin lives in us,” so that “the things I don't want to do, that's what I do!”8. So with the word sin, the biblical authors are offering a robust description of the human condition. It's a failure to be humans who fully love God and others.
How does God describe sin? ›
More specifically, the biblical descriptions of sin can be further defined as a failure to glorify God and a rebellion against him (1 John 3:4; Rom. 1:18; 3:23; Eph. 4:18); as an offense against God and a violation of his law (Gen. 39:9; Ps.
What is the spiritual meaning of sin? ›
Sin is any deliberate action, attitude, or thought that goes against God. You may think of sin as an obvious act, such as murder, adultery, or theft. Although that's true, sin is also wrongdoing that's far subtler and even unnoticeable at times, such as pride, envy, or even worry.
What does the Bible say is the root of sin? ›
So, the ultimate sin, the summation of sin, is lack of love for God and lack of love for Christ. The carnal mind, according to Romans 8:7, is not subject to the law of God and can't be. An unregenerate person cannot keep the law of God, and therefore he sins and sins.
What are the three unforgivable sins? ›
Resistance to the known truth. Envy of a brother's spiritual good, i.e., of the increase of Divine grace in the world. Impenitence, i.e., the specific purpose of not repenting a sin.
What's referred to as the “seven deadly sins” are: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, and pride.
What are the 2 types of sin in the Bible? ›
Mortal sins are grave offenses that sever our friendship with God and, consequently, cause a loss of sanctifying grace. Anyone dying in a state of mortal sin would suffer eternal separation from God in Hell. Venial sins are lesser offenses that injure but do not destroy one's relationship with God.
What is the actual sin in the Bible? ›
According to Western Christianity, actual sin, as distinguished from original sin, is an act contrary to the will and law of God whether by doing evil (sin of commission) or refraining from doing good (sin of omission). It can be either "mortal" or "venial".
What are the two types of sin in the Bible? ›
An involuntary sin is a sin that we commit because of the weakness of our flesh or because we are ignorant of a law that we are breaking. In other words, these sins are not done deliberately. On the other hand, voluntary sin is done by those who know what they are doing is wrong, but they do it anyway.
What is the difference between transgression and sin? ›
Sin, it turns out, is violating God's law. So, to bring this all together, sin is what happens when you violate God's law; transgression is the actual act of violating the law, and iniquity is the dirtiness that lives in you when you've engaged in sin by transgressing God's law.
