WHAT IS SIN?

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An immoral act considered a transgression against divine law. An act regarded as a serious or regrettable fault, offence or omission. We read words like inequity, transgression, immoral and sin but what does it all mean.

What is sin.

In order to understand what it is, we first need to understand its definition. In James 4:17, it says "if anyone then knows the good, they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is a sin." Whether we feel like we know GOD or not, there is one thing he gave us to try living a righteous life and that’s a moral compass. Even if we don’t acknowledge something as a sin, we feel the need to keep certain things secretive and be ‘sneaky’ because of our moral compass. Some people believe that the crime increase shows a decrease in moral compass, however the need to hide and cover up the crime shows it’s still active. A surge in crime and other worldly behaviours such as promiscuity and pride only show a difficulty to die to one’s flesh. Jesus understood this struggle as he said in Matthew 26:41 "Keep watch and pray so that you will not give in to temptation. For the spirit is willing but the body/flesh is weak."

But what if we do something and don’t feel our moral compass tugging at all? Fortunately, we have the Bible that gives us multiple examples of GODs grace, he gives us a chance to see the errors/mistakes we’ve made so that we may repent after. This is usually through dreams, with others or scriptures.

A strong example of this is the story of King David and Bathsheba in 2 Samuel 11:2-27. When we read the chapter, it’s not as hard to see where the ‘mess up’ is, however this was in a time where kings were used to getting their way through any means necessary. GOD sent the prophet Nathan to speak to King David and gave him an example of what he had done, David ‘burned’ with anger not realising the parable was based on his sin. It was only after his interaction with Nathan that he truly saw what he had done, he had told Nathan "I have sinned against the LORD." That same day GOD had taken away the king’s sin because of his true repentance, but his actions didn’t come without consequence.

Another example of lacking insight on our transgressions is the story of Saul who became Paul in Acts 9:1-31. He was a Jew who made it his lifelong mission to 'lock up' all those who followed and believed in Jesus. A bit of context; this happened after the death and miraculous resurrection of Christ, and the non-believers were hoping the crucifixion would put an end to all of Jesus’ messages, but it only grew. To deter the spread of the gospel, they mocked the followers giving us the name ‘Christians’ and threw them all in jail. Saul happened to be overzealous, thinking he was truly doing GODs work. It was so normal for him, he was ‘breathing’ out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. Thankfully GOD saw his enthusiasm could be put to better use and helped him see the error of his ways on his journey to Damascus to persecute more Christians. Paul was blinded and was asked a simple question, "why do you persecute me" of course, not seeing anyone he asked, "who are you" and Jesus replied, "I am Jesus whom you are persecuting". With an interaction like that he had no choice but to come to the realisation that his life’s work was on the wrong path.

The point of all this is GOD understands we are human and that we make mistakes, he also ‘knows your heart’ (Luke 16:15) and sees that sometimes we just simply don’t understand. But like King David and Paul, as soon as we recognise our wrongdoings we must repent and not do them again.

To sin is to separate yourself from GOD as it says in Isaiah 59:1 "surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. But your inequities have separated you from GOD; your sins have hidden his face from you so that he will not hear." GOD asks of us to be holy as HE is, therefore, he hates sin as it stops you from being near HIM. Imagine GODs holiness as water, and oil as sin, the two will never be able to mix. To be holy means to separate or set apart, but if you’re being the opposite of holy, you distance yourself from the wrong things (GOD). When we see verses in the bible like Romans 6:23 "for the wages of sin is death but the free gift of GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." We automatically think this is a punishment from GOD, but HE is more gracious and just than that. The death that is mentioned when it comes to sin is spiritual death, this is separation from GOD caused by sin. The path of sin takes you closer towards the ‘grave’ and away from the life GOD planned for you.

If we look at the first sin with Adam and Eve, they were not told to leave the Garden as a punishment but because the life they opened themselves up to wasn’t holy enough to be in the physical presence of GOD. Before eating the forbidden fruit, GOD would walk in the Garden in front of Adam and Eve; they saw GOD. However, after they were ‘kicked out’, there is no mention of GOD walking around Earth and meeting the people, just talking to them. In Exodus 33:19, moses asks to see GODs ‘glory’ and GOD replies, "you cannot see my face, for no man shall see me and live." There was once a time when humans could see the face of GOD, but our sins have brought upon a great distance from The LORD. When we choose to step further away from GOD, we are opting to be in constant darkness. In Romans 13:12 it says, "let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armour of light." Jesus is the armour of light He alone is what can pull you out of the darkest pits if only we would focus on Him and leave behind the immorality. You will never be able to see where you’re going when in darkness, for Jesus said he is “the way the truth and the life”, He will always lead the way if you choose to wake up and choose to be shepherded by him. Living in a world without Jesus is like choosing to live blind, if Paul chose to ignore Jesus’ message on his way to Damascus, his physical eyesight may have been healed but he still would’ve been subjected to a life of spiritual blindness.

We must be like Paul and allow the scales of sin covering our eyes to be removed. Once you allow yourself to wholeheartedly walk in Jesus’ light, you will no longer find yourself stumbling through life anymore for Jesus could never be defeated. In John 8:12 Jesus says "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness," the light that Jesus possesses is far too great for it to be overturned by darkness. His promise that you will never walk in darkness shows the power He has surpasses all abilities the darkness could carry.

Before Jesus, we were like the blind leading the blind, we didn’t know how to get by, so we just got used to not seeing. However, when he came, he gave us light (John 8:12) and meaning. The devil wants us to continue building that covenant of iniquity with him so when we sin it’s like the walls of darkness surround us, so we are unable to see past our wrongdoings.

During the first day of creation, GOD said “let there be light” to create separation from darkness and so that we may see, so it is ironic that the serpent told Eve her eyes would be opened once see eat from the forbidden tree as sin placed that veil of darkness over our eyes. The ‘power’ of knowing both good and evil is a burden that was and still is too great for man to carry. GOD knew the struggle we’d face avoiding temptations. GOD saw the darkness that came with sin as said in Romans 13:13 “but this darkness is so thick, man cannot find his way around it, through it, or out of it". HE is GOD and can never do wrong or be tempted so HE sent his only begotten son, not just to be a sacrifice but a living example for when we face the temptations and challenges of everyday life. Jesus faced temptations during his walk on Earth, but he was able to overcome them and never give in. He used The Word and prayer.

There is only one way to get rid of sin and that’s through sincere repentance. This allows us to ask for forgiveness from GOD and become cleansed through the blood of Christ. Not every sin is easy to ‘get rid of’, some require a lot more work than just confessing. Some need fasting and extra prayer as some sins cling on more than others, this is why when we feel convicted enough to repent genuinely, we still end up backsliding into old habits. Some sins also thrive in certain environments and around people, for example going to a club when you’re trying to quit alcohol or staying in an unequally yoked relationship that could lead to sexual temptations. If we were able to spiritually see the effect of these sins, we would stay clear of them.

we are all Children of GOD; therefore, HE is within all of us. However, the damage those sins do to our blood and body ruins the bond/closeness we have with GOD. Every good deed or righteous act we do is stricken out of our book and made into nothing with every sin we commit, as Isaiah 64:6 says, "all of us become like one who is unclean, and our righteous acts are like filthy rags." That is why we repent, for if we die in our sins, we will be turned away at the gates of Heaven and Jesus will tell us "I never knew you, depart from me, you who practice lawlessness." (Matthew 7:21-23).

None of this is easy but thankfully The LORD is a GOD of Grace (YAHWEH-CHANNUN) and mercy we don’t have to change before we go to him, he allows us to come as we are but once we are in HIS presence, we must allow him to change us and make us new. The changes HE makes within us do not come forcefully, they come as feelings, suddenly you don’t feel comfortable in certain clothing or listening to secular music. When Jesus was preaching, he said "I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." The people that Jesus wanted were not already in the Churches/Synagogues, but in the bars getting drunk or selling their body for money. He came to make sure everyone had a chance to hear the word of GOD and experience HIM for themselves. He wanted people to know that there was a whole new life worth living outside of their worldly habits and a way to reach that life was through repentance, becoming born again and allowing GOD to make you new. He shows and tells us it is better to live in a life of struggle and be with GOD in eternity than to live a life of luxury and separated from The Father forever. (Romans 8:18).

The Pharisees always commented about Jesus’ choice of company (he would dine with tax collectors and adulterers) but they didn’t know in doing so he was turning their lives around. Although the life they lead was wrong, he didn’t persecute them, he would teach them the gospel and tell them to not sin again. (kind, firm and effective). A great example is with the woman caught committing adultery in the book of John 8:3-11. This of course is where the famous line ‘let him who is without sin among you be the first to cast a stone at her’ (this always gets used in the wrong context rolls eyes). Obviously, no one could step forward as we are all with sin and when everyone had cleared off one by one, he asked the woman "where are your accusers, has no one condemned you?" she replied no, then he told her "Neither do I condemn you, now go and sin no more". Jesus understood then, today and tomorrow, we just have to lean in and trust that he’ll not let us fall, and if we do happen to fall, he’ll undoubtedly be there to help pick up the pieces no matter our past mistakes. What can we give to someone who loves like that

So, to answer the question my definition of sin is, an act or thought that separates us from GOD’s presence but can only be made right through repentance.