If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us. (1 John 1:8-10)
Definition, Origin and Meaning of the Word "Sin"
Sin is any action, thought, or attitude that goes against God’s law and His standards described in Scripture. It can be an act of disobedience—choosing to do what is wrong—or a failure to do what is right. Sin is not just about outward behavior; it also includes the condition of the heart, such as selfishness, pride, or harmful intentions. Ultimately, sin separates us from God, but through His grace, we have the opportunity for forgiveness and restoration in Christ.
The Old Testament Hebrew word for sin is khata. It means to fail or miss the goal. Bible commentator Don Stewart defines sin, according to 1 John 3:4, as lawlessness.
Throughout the Old and New Testaments, sin means deviating from obedience to God’s character and will. In the Bible, sin is described as a transgression of the law of God (1 John 3:4) and rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7; Joshua 1:18).
Where Does the Bible Talk About Sin?
The word sin is first mentioned in Genesis 4:7 when God spoke to Cain. He said, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” As we all know, Cain let sin rule him and murdered his brother Abel (Genesis 4:1-16).
Sin as an act was introduced in Genesis 3 with the account of the Fall, which ushered sin into the world. We don’t doubt Satan (Revelation 12:9) enticed Eve to sin against God by questioning God’s Word (Genesis 3:6)—His command to Adam. Through Satan, the instigator, we discover the action of sin began with him in heaven. He schemed to exalt himself above the Lord God, and the Bible implies in his rebellion, he took “one-third of the angels of heaven with him” (Revelation 12:4).
Eve chose what was good in her own eyes as opposed to the good of following God’s command not to eat of the tree of good and evil. She stepped out of godly obedience and into the lust of the eyes. She and Adam (who also ate the fruit) sinned against God. We often refer to this as “original sin,” but it is better stated as “inherited sin” because we are born with the guilt and tendency to sin.
Consequences ensued, but not without the promise of blessings. Adam would toil, but he would have worthwhile work to do. Eve would bear pain in childbirth, but she would still have children. Her offspring (our Redeemer) would crush the devil, and that was a promise of Satan’s demise (Romans 16:20).
Since that day, sin has been part of every human being. We are all born in sin (Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22).
So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. (James 4:17)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
And he said, “What comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)
Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. (James 4:7)
Actual Sin and Original Sin
Theologians distinguish between actual sin and original sin, recognizing their different roles in human nature and behavior. Actual sin refers to specific acts of disobedience against God—things we think, say, or do that violate His commands. These are the intentional or unintentional choices we make that go against His will, such as lying, stealing, or harboring hatred in our hearts.
In contrast, original sin is not a specific action but a condition inherited from Adam and Eve’s fall in the Garden of Eden. It is the sinful nature present in every human being from birth, inclining us toward rebellion against God. While actual sins are the wrongful deeds we commit, original sin is the root cause that makes us naturally prone to sin. However, through Christ’s sacrifice, we are offered redemption from both—the forgiveness of our actual sins and the renewal of our sinful nature through the transforming power of His grace.
Mortal Sin and Venial Sin
In Catholic teaching, actual sin is categorized into mortal sin and venial sin, based on its severity and impact on our relationship with God. Mortal sin is a grave violation of God’s law that completely separates the soul from sanctifying grace. For a sin to be mortal, three conditions must be met: it must involve grave matter, be committed with full knowledge, and be done with deliberate consent. Examples of mortal sins include idolatry, murder, or the willful rejection of God’s love. If left unrepented, mortal sin results in spiritual death, barring one from eternal life. However, through the Sacrament of Reconciliation, one can receive God’s mercy, restoring grace and communion with Him.
Venial sin, while still harmful, weakens but does not sever our relationship with God. These sins typically involve lesser offenses, such as impatience, gossip, or unkind words. While venial sins do not destroy sanctifying grace, they can dull one’s spiritual sensitivity and, over time, lead to greater moral failures. Frequent confession and acts of penance help to heal the soul and prevent venial sins from leading to spiritual complacency. Regardless of the degree of sin, God’s mercy is always available, inviting us to ongoing conversion and deeper holiness through prayer, repentance, and the grace of the sacraments.
However, Protestant theology emphasizes that all sin is equal in the eyes of God because any sin, no matter how small, falls short of God’s perfect holiness (James 2:10; Romans 3:23). This perspective holds that all sin separates humanity from God and requires His grace and forgiveness. While distinctions may exist in earthly consequences, from a spiritual standpoint, even what may seem like minor sins still reveal humanity’s need for redemption through Jesus Christ. Unlike the Catholic view, which differentiates between mortal and venial sins, this perspective underscores the idea that salvation is entirely dependent on faith in Christ’s atoning sacrifice, rather than on the severity of individual sins.
How Do We Know If Something is a Sin?
As we've see, sin is any action or thought that go against God’s standards. Sin has serious consequences, including spiritual death and eternal judgment but how do we know if we are sinning? Understanding what constitutes sin is crucial because it helps us seek forgiveness through Christ and live a life that pleases God.
Sin is not based on personal opinions or societal trends. It’s not determined by individual preferences or majority views. For example, just because someone disapproves of rock music or certain behaviors does not make those things sinful. Similarly, societal acceptance of practices like abortion or divorce doesn’t define whether they are sinful or not.
According to the Bible, sin is defined by God’s Law, not by human opinions. 1 John 3:4 describes sin as "lawlessness," meaning it’s a violation of God’s commandments. God’s Law reflects His holy character, and following it is essential for holy living. The Westminster Shorter Catechism explains that sin is any lack of conformity to or transgression of God’s Law.
There are two types of sin: sins of omission (failing to do what God commands) and sins of commission (doing what God forbids). For example, not loving our spouse as God commands or committing adultery are both sins.
Understanding what sin is requires studying God’s Word and Law, which reveals our sinful nature and our need for Christ’s grace. Knowing God’s standards helps us recognize sin in our lives, seek forgiveness, and strive to live according to His will.
Why Does Sin Keep Us from God?
Our God is holy (Leviticus 11:44). “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; the whole earth is full of His glory!” (Isaiah 6:3). Because He is holy, God cannot behold sin (Habakkuk 1:13), and this will keep everyone from God because of our sinful state. But sinful acts will keep people from God, too. It’s a dual problem—sinners and sin.
The good news is, in God’s great grace, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived the perfect life we never could. And He died the guilty death we don’t desire to die. Christ died for our sins in the sense that—on the cross—He compensated for the crimes we have committed against our perfect, holy God, our King. He paid it all. He missed nothing of the past, the present, or the future. On the cross, Jesus said, “It is finished” (John 19:30), and He meant it.
The Gospel continues as they buried Jesus, which stresses Jesus’ suffering and death, which were completely real, horrendous, and final. Matthew 27:66 says, “So they went and made the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard.” Our great High King humbled Himself to our level and took the punishment and death we deserve.
The Gospel says Jesus was raised (alive!) on the third day. His resurrection is like God saying, “Amen!” to Christ’s, “It is finished.” Not only was Jesus raised for our pardon (justification), but His work on the cross also compensated for the sins of those who surrender their lives to Him. He is our victorious Messiah and will rule forever (Romans 1:4).
A Sinners Prayer
Lord God Almighty. Thank You for saving me from my sins. I now have life in Jesus’ name. Your Word tells me I am one of Your ambassadors, here to do Your will and to share the good news of Jesus Christ, who came and took all my sins so I can live for You. It’s an amazing and daunting privilege, and I am joyful to surrender to Your will every day. Show me the open doors You have prepared so I can make the most of every opportunity and so You can gather more souls for the kingdom. It’s all about and for Jesus. In His matchless name, I pray. Amen.
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