What is sin??

Originally posted by Reformationist
I fully agree with the definition given here as long as you mean God's Law.  I would also add the following:

James 4:17
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.

God bless

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Right.

I put it this way:

Sin is a conscious and deliberate effort (thought, word or deed) to do something that is harmful, when one is aware of a better alternative.

It comes from this:
God gave us the gift of free will.

Along with the gift of free will, God gave us the ability to know the difference between right and wrong. Conscience is that Voice of God continually guiding us in knowing right from wrong. When someone does wrong, he KNOWS it.
God gave us, and continues to give us, the gift of knowing right from wrong so that we will be able to use the gift of free will to do good, or to choose the other way, but know full-well that we've chosen against good.

Also, along with the gift of free will and the gift of knowing the difference between right and wrong, God gave us the gift of YEARN TO LEARN.

These three gifts have been given in order that the Divine Plan be fulfilled. The Divine Plan is: To know God is to love God.

We cannot love God unless we know Him. We get to know God by learning about Him. Thus, the gift of Yearn to Learn.
We choose to turn to God freely to give God freely chosen love through our gift of Free Will. That is what God desires most from us - love freely given.
Love cannot be freely given if it is mandated or imposed. Thus, God gave us Free Will and will not interfere with the choices we make.
But, God will let us know, full-well, when we do choose right or wrong.



Patty

Hello, I am new to Christian Forum:

The tree of the knowledge of good and evil, as any tree be literal or physical can only produce one kind of fruit, after its own kind.
thus I veiw the knowledge of good and evil as one knolwedge, that as deception. Deception is that what has our eyes taken off God to cast sight upon our-self or another....even as gods.
this is what God had judged as sin.
God did not create sin, hence"God did not create anything with the knowledge of good and evil". He used His knowledge of Life, and His knowledge of Life based from His Love.

So  the Theological veiw of sin that I take to Scripture to understand Life in which God Created:

"God has not created the Heaven and The Earth to rid us of sin"


In Christ,

Off

What is not of faith in God is sin. If we do not trust in what He says is true and do it our way then we sin.

Originally posted by Help-me-learn
What is not of faith in God is sin. If we do not trust in what He says is true and do it our way then we sin.

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Very good point Help-me-learn.  Well said.

God bless

Thank you, Reformationist

Sin is the desire for self... anything that is your interest over God's is sin

Sin took satan... it is greater than he is... his desire for himself... his own 'advancement' ...was the origin of sin...

If you put God above yourself... He will show you His laws... He will print them upon your soul... it is the desire for one's self that is against God

sin is acting in defiance of Gods will. If you know its wrong and you do it any way then you sin.

Sin is going against God's will. Thats it, no ifs ands or buts about it. Going against is sin.

Sin is going against God's will. Thats it, no ifs ands or buts about it. Going against God is sin.

IMO no one has quite captured the essense of the meaning yet. Some good stuff but here is the best example I have and it can be supported scripturaly.

 

I thought Offtoou777 was going in this direction with his scripture, as one has to understand the fall to understand sin correctly. Sin is a loaded word, a theological term not well understood Before Adam knew the difference between good and evil, he had no sin, only the knowledge of ONE thing he should not do. Once he had the knowledge of good and evil, he now had sinned by disobeying God AND was bound (pun entended) to sin from then on by virtue of the fact that he now knew what evil was.

In short, sin is rebellion against God. So someone who does not have a relationship with God can not do good. (Even though they may appear to) and some who appear to sin do not for their lack of knowledge, but all are born into the sin nature as a result of being Adams lineage.

 

This is the best desciption I have ever encountered:

"Man is made by God of nothing, is held in existence from moment to moment simply by God's will to hold him there. God's will is the reason for man's existence; so God's will must be the law of his existence. To disobey the law is sin; to think we can gain by disobeying it is insanity.

That there are laws in the universe, no one doubts. The law of gravity is one obvious example; the laws of dietetics are another. By learning these laws and living according to them we gain freedom. Pause upon this, if the thought is new to you. Freedom is always bound up with obedience to the law of God; there is no such thing for man as freedom from the laws; there is only freedom within them. Each new law learned by us increases our freedom. We learn the laws of gravity, air-currents, movement of bodies, and at last we can fly in the upper air. We learn what elements are necessary in our diet, and certain diseases vanish.

That there are laws applying to man's soul, moral laws, is just as true. The same God who made the law of gravity made the laws of justice and purity. Physical laws do not affect only those who accept them-the newborn baby can die for want of the right vitamins or be killed by falling from a height. It is the same with the laws of morality. Because both sorts are laws, we cannot break them. How could we break the law of gravity? We could jump off a cliff; but by doing that we should not break the law of gravity, we should illustrate it."

Theology for Beginners, F.J.Sheed pg63

Luv,
Theresa

Originally posted by Theresa
This is the best desciption I have ever encountered:

"Man is made by God of nothing, is held in existence from moment to moment simply by God's will to hold him there. God's will is the reason for man's existence; so God's will must be the law of his existence. To disobey the law is sin; to think we can gain by disobeying it is insanity.

That there are laws in the universe, no one doubts. The law of gravity is one obvious example; the laws of dietetics are another. By learning these laws and living according to them we gain freedom. Pause upon this, if the thought is new to you. Freedom is always bound up with obedience to the law of God; there is no such thing for man as freedom from the laws; there is only freedom within them. Each new law learned by us increases our freedom. We learn the laws of gravity, air-currents, movement of bodies, and at last we can fly in the upper air. We learn what elements are necessary in our diet, and certain diseases vanish.

That there are laws applying to man's soul, moral laws, is just as true. The same God who made the law of gravity made the laws of justice and purity. Physical laws do not affect only those who accept them-the newborn baby can die for want of the right vitamins or be killed by falling from a height. It is the same with the laws of morality. Because both sorts are laws, we cannot break them. How could we break the law of gravity? We could jump off a cliff; but by doing that we should not break the law of gravity, we should illustrate it."

Theology for Beginners, F.J.Sheed pg63

Luv,
Theresa

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Stunning!! 

Good job, Theresa!!

Hi,
you say that, "sin is a conscious and deliberate effort ..."

I am sure that you will agree with an addition of this thought, by adding the words of.. [OR LACK OF]? Such as the verse 'to know to do good and [do it not], IS SIN'. The SIN OF OMISSION is where the Virgin denomination in Rev. 3:16-17 fail, and will cause them to be 'SPEWED OUT' the Master says! Rev. 2:5---P/N/B/
***

Originally posted by Patty
Right.

I put it this way:

Sin is a conscious and deliberate effort (thought, word or deed) to do something that is harmful, when one is aware of a better alternative.

It comes from this:
God gave us the gift of free will.

Along with the gift of free will, God gave us the ability to know the difference between right and wrong. Conscience is that Voice of God continually guiding us in knowing right from wrong. When someone does wrong, he KNOWS it.
God gave us, and continues to give us, the gift of knowing right from wrong so that we will be able to use the gift of free will to do good, or to choose the other way, but know full-well that we've chosen against good.

Also, along with the gift of free will and the gift of knowing the difference between right and wrong, God gave us the gift of YEARN TO LEARN.

These three gifts have been given in order that the Divine Plan be fulfilled. The Divine Plan is: To know God is to love God.

We cannot love God unless we know Him. We get to know God by learning about Him. Thus, the gift of Yearn to Learn.
We choose to turn to God freely to give God freely chosen love through our gift of Free Will. That is what God desires most from us - love freely given.
Love cannot be freely given if it is mandated or imposed. Thus, God gave us Free Will and will not interfere with the choices we make.
But, God will let us know, full-well, when we do choose right or wrong.



Patty

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Originally posted by figment
IMO no one has quite captured the essense of the meaning yet. Some good stuff but here is the best example I have and it can be supported scripturaly.

(Zapped for content)

In short, sin is rebellion against God. So someone who does not have a relationship with God can not do good. (Even though they may appear to) and some who appear to sin do not for their lack of knowledge, but all are born into the sin nature as a result of being Adams lineage.

 

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******

It is the end result that [is] 'Mature' REBELLION against God. In its first stage, this is [NOT] the case! When SIN is finished it bringeth forth death. try 1 John 5:16-17 & Psalms 19:13.

We ALL sin! But when we continue in KNOWN sin, it comes to the point where we Quench or Grieve the Holy Spirit away, & to the point that He cannot REACH US! See Heb. 6:6 for what has then been done once again to our Master? AND to be in YOKED MEMBERSHIP with known open sinners or FALSE doctrines that [WE] know are false? That also is 'ETERNALLY' life threatening! See Rev. 18:4!
---P/N/B/

Originally posted by Pastor N.B.
Hi,
you say that, "sin is a conscious and deliberate effort ..."

I am sure that you will agree with an addition of this thought, by adding the words of.. [OR LACK OF]? Such as the verse 'to know to do good and [do it not], IS SIN'. The SIN OF OMISSION is where the Virgin denomination in Rev. 3:16-17 fail, and will cause them to be 'SPEWED OUT' the Master says! Rev. 2:5---P/N/B/
***

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Yep!!

To consciously and deliberately omit doing what one KNOWS is right and just to do, in preference for allowing a WRONG to prevail - is SIN.

 

Sooooo...,
That means that leadership as a whole, these that are in a state of smooch, smooch, I love you proffesion [only], and that [OMIT] their responsibility for allowing all the filth & trite to continue on & on. (in ALL DENOMINATIONS) Have put 'many' in an eternal 'decision' making time period? If not already past it, right?

But, what about US staying in that membership?? Or the other 'few' ministers that are still there setting the example for you to remain? Or that are bringing New Babes in Christ into that yoked membership mess? Rev. 18:4 tells 'me' that this is [MY] Mature life or death (ETERNAL) decision to make! See Eze. 9 for its ending ??

I mention leadership because they are in the mature class, when it passes from just sin into the final stage of rebellion. But the reason for this might be of importance? And that reason in most cases, is BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN EASY THING TO DO! ---P/N/B/

What is sin?

In my opinion, sin is disobedience to God and his will. Everything in the Universe evolves after his sovereign will. God alone can judge what is right and what is wrong, for only He has enough knowledge to pass objective judgement. When man first disobeyed God and ate from the tree of knowledge, he died spiritually, but became, as the serpent said he would, like "god", knowing what's good and what's bad. If God punishes me, I may regard it as evil, not seeing from where the trouble comes, but objectively it is good, for 1) God punishes me for my sin, which is just; and 2) by means of punishment I can repent and sin no more. But we, as humans, have our own understanding of good and evil, which oftentimes contradicts God's. That's why we are given the Holy Spirit as our heavenly guide, who will lead us into all truth.

The Law of the GodHead is ETERNAL & Universal. (Heb. 13:20) And the Gospel is ALSO. (Rev. 14:6) Neither can be SEPERATED! The law is the EPISTLE (letter) of the GOSPEL'S (CHRIST) CHARACTER!! (see 2 Cor. 3:3)

And as has been stated elsewhere, There can be NO sin comitted that does not break this [ROYAL law]. The Ten Commandments that God ALONE Wrote.

We are also told that Christ came to MAGNIFY the law (His CHARACTER) and make it HONORABLE. (Isa. 42:21) He told us to hate in the [FINISHED] state of sin is murder, & to lust after a woman is ADULTERY, also in the finished state. (and on & on through the ten)

Now again, what is sin? The breaking of the Law of God, the Ten Commandments! It is the start of this 'sin' that is seen in the [finished act that is rebellion]!! OK? NO? Let me say it this way then? Say I know that stealing is sin. So I steal today anyway, then the Holy Spirit convicts me to not do it, yet, tomorrow I do it again. Then we, the Holy Spirit & I just continue on with this process! (convicting me & I keep rejecting His conviction) What happens?? Each & every time I dis/obey His Leading by Quenching & Grieving Him, it is BECOMING HARDER & HARDER for Him to CONVICT ME... UNTIL I HAVE PASSED THE BOUNDARIES OF [my] PROBATION IN MATURE REBELLION! But prayerfully it will be just the opposite way, huh? But the DECISION is MINE, to make! (see 1 Peter 4:17 & Gen.6:3, and as it was stated by another, we have to be knowledgeable of these truths to be accountable)

Notice 1 John 5:16-18. We see that ALL UNRIGHTOUSNESS [IS SIN] (commandment breaking) and we see that there is a 'sin NOT UNTO DEATH'.

So what this is saying is, hate, takes time to become murder, & lust when it is FINISHED, is adultery. James 1:14-15 explains it this way:
"But every man is tempted, when he is [drawn away of his own lust, and enticed]. (now notice!)
Then when [lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin]: WHEN IT IS [*FINISHED] IT BRINGETH FORTH DEATH". (Eternal death of Obadiah 16's last part)

When one KNOWS to do good and doeth it NOT, THEN IT IS SIN. So the ones that are the most accountable ARE US. (see Luke 12:47-48) It is US who have been given the 'ernest of the Holy Spirit'. Surely, we ALL sin. But we are to MATURE through the provisions given us (check Phil 4:13 & 2 Cor. 12:9) into perfection. We ALL will develope a character either SAFE to save or NOT safe to save! Yet, both class of us will be MATURE in that DECISION! (see Na. 1:9 & the last part of 2 Tim. 3:16-17)

Bottom line: It is not the first part of sin that is the MOST dangerous (Yes! it is dangerous indeed!) but it is the Quenching & Grieving of the Holy Spirit that is tryin His best to lead us that is the filling up of the cup of disobedience, if that be the case. (see Rom. 8:14) Once again, study Psalms 19:13 with the Word of 'ALSO'. ---P/N/B/

****

Originally posted by paveletsky
What is sin?

In my opinion, sin is disobedience to God and his will. Everything in the Universe evolves after his sovereign will. God alone can judge what is right and what is wrong, for only He has enough knowledge to pass objective judgement. When man first disobeyed God and ate from the tree of knowledge, he died spiritually, but became, as the serpent said he would, like "god", knowing what's good and what's bad. If God punishes me, I may regard it as evil, not seeing from where the trouble comes, but objectively it is good, for 1) God punishes me for my sin, which is just; and 2) by means of punishment I can repent and sin no more. But we, as humans, have our own understanding of good and evil, which oftentimes contradicts God's. That's why we are given the Holy Spirit as our heavenly guide, who will lead us into all truth.

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Originally posted by Pastor N.B.
Sooooo...,
That means that leadership as a whole, these that are in a state of smooch, smooch, I love you proffesion [only], and that [OMIT] their responsibility for allowing all the filth & trite to continue on & on. (in ALL DENOMINATIONS) Have put 'many' in an eternal 'decision' making time period? If not already past it, right?

But, what about US staying in that membership?? Or the other 'few' ministers that are still there setting the example for you to remain? Or that are bringing New Babes in Christ into that yoked membership mess? Rev. 18:4 tells 'me' that this is [MY] Mature life or death (ETERNAL) decision to make! See Eze. 9 for its ending ??

I mention leadership because they are in the mature class, when it passes from just sin into the final stage of rebellion. But the reason for this might be of importance? And that reason in most cases, is BECAUSE IT IS NOT AN EASY THING TO DO! ---P/N/B/

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Hey Pastor NB,

I'm glad you mentioned leadership.

Consider how the 'mandates' from leaders preclude those they lead from the ability to decide some things for themselves.  Such mandates prevent folks from freely exercising their free will - they prevent folks from choosing according to their own consciences.

It is vitally important for mankind to understand that conscience must be listened to - each and every man must be free to listen to his own conscience in order to decide for himself how he will behave.  It is only through this free exercise of choice that a man can be clearly held accountable for his own decisions and actions.

When leaders impose on the free will of others, thus prevent those others from abiding by their consciences, men find that they are unable to choose in an accountable way.  How, in this setting, can men even know when they are sinning?  Especially when some of the mandates imposed upon them by leaders offend one's conscience?

Hi again,
it is this way it seems? We have the Word of God. Christ said that we are to live by its food. (Matt. 4:4) Every Word it says! Also 2 Tim. 3:16 states the Word's Word 'IS' ALL SCRIPTURE. That is pretty inclusive!

But now for your question? Psalms 69:20-28 teaches that in the time of Christ (the vinegar to drink verse) that the 'Table' to get fed at, (denomination) became a trap! And what is new today??

So, the question's answer was for these 'babes in Christ' to become un/traped! Well, what I mean, is for them to do what Christ did, He started up a NEW DENOMINATION!

Notice how Isa. 5:3 puts it.. ".. JUDGE I PRAY YOU, [BETWIXT] *ME and MY VINEYARD" (verse 7 tells us who the vineyard represents)
Honest souls KNOW by the Spirits Leading that they CANNOT BE SAFE in yoked membership when Christ has left! So how does the young know that Christ is NO LONGER INSIDE the church??
That SIN question is the answer for this question also!! OPEN UNREPENTANT SIN. Personal, or DOCTRINE WISE! Notice Joshua 7:12's last part of verse.

".. NEITHER WILL I BE WITH YOU ANYMORE, *EXCEPT YE DESTROY THE ACCURSED FROM AMONG YOU." If one would read Rev. 3:9 they would understand that not all the ones who say Lord, Lord, have Christ to be their leader. Who is the 'leader' seen here? (yet it seems that he is unnoticed)

Now, having said all of this, for your very 'mature question' asked, let me also say that the answer to the question is much more simple than that.
Remember that we have contrasted the leaders & the followers. Here is an interesting verse for all concerned. It is taken from Rom. 2:14-15. Here is a group of 'Gentils' that had never even heard of Christ [as we know Him]. Yet, as you point out in an earlier post about the Law of God? Here we see that the Born Again experience, these ones had! (see 2 Cor. 3:3) And did not even know how it happened!

It states:
"For when the Gentils, which have not the law, [DO BY NATURE] the things contained in the law, ... Which SHEW THE WORK OF THE LAW WRITTEN IN THEIR HEARTS ..." (in part, you can read it all) Soooo.. the leadership are not as important as perhaps they or WE think! The Lord's SECOND 'BOOK' is all that these ones needed!

Bottom line: When God said that His Spirit will not ALWAYS STRIVE with man, He told us in reverse, that ALL MANKIND WOULD HAVE AN EQUAL CHANCE!

Another thought. In my earlier years (smile) because of a couple of verses in Heb. 12:6-8 about the Lord.. 'scourgeth every son whom He receiveth' &
'But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye
--------, and not sons' (if I print the Words Word it censors me i think?)

Any way, I use to think that the Jews or colored race had one up on us. For they have truely been ravaged over the years. But in the more mature years of my life I have learned that chastisements can work two ways at least. They can make a person the better person, or they can make the person decidely the worse.
And also that Word of being a partaker? (these have taken the covenant pledge) And then to be BE WITH OUT CHASTISEMENT? I have come to believe that this is ALL OF THE FILTH that is inside the denomination, that we (I) find just to hard a work for me to be responsible for. So I let it just slide by. And by doing so, I sever my own relationship, by LOVING MY MASTER on the lukewarm scale.
P/N/B/