What is Sin?

What is Sin? This might be an interesting question. Something you may have never thought of, or something you have known the answer for almost as long you have been alive. I want you to take a second to think about what is your definition of sin- in your own words or not.

 

Some of you may remember what you learned in Cubbies, or some other Christian ministry program: Sin is anything you say, think, or do that disobeys God, or anything you say, think or do that goes against what God told you TO do. But is that really all there is? Is it that simple to think about what sin is? I think that the definition they teach at such a young age very much can do justice. It communicates the points focusing on the three major areas of our lives: what we think, what we say, and what we do. Is there really any in-between? Then, it tells us what is a sin with those actions. It brings it back to what God's Word says. If we are going against it, we are sinning. That means if we are doing what it tells us not to, but also if we don't do what it tells us to. Could there be more, though? 

 

The other definition of sin, I personally heard first on "All Consuming Fire" by Shai Linne. It goes "The glory of God not honored, the holiness of God not reverenced, the greatness of God not admired, the power of God not praised, the Truth of God not sought, the wisdom of God not esteemed, the beauty of God not treasured, the goodness of God not savored, the faithfulness of God not trusted, the commandments of God not obeyed, the justice of God not respected, the wrath of God not feared, the grace of God not cherished, the presence of God not prized, the person of God not loved. That is Sin." What a longer answer, right? Which do you think communicates the point clearer? 

I personally have really enjoyed hearing the second one. I think this challenges me more, while I was nowhere close to perfect using the simpler version. I have seen that it really gets me thinking. I used to be like what I believe many Christians, especially young believers, once were like. I would be hesitant towards my answer to "If God was not in heaven, would you still want to go?" I knew the right answer, and I believed that I would think that way, but in all honesty, my life showed no signs of me living for Christ. I think that when, for example, "The presence of God is not prized" we are losing focus of what really matters in life- God. I am about to embark on a new step in life called COLLEGE. This, in a worldly POV is my main focus- to get good grades, do well in school, and get ready for the real world so I can make money and survive. On the other hand, while doing well in school is important, I need to look for ways to honor God in everything I do throughout my whole day. Then, when I wake up the next day, it starts over. He needs to be the focus of my life, and I think He has been more than ever before in this past year or so, to which I am so thankful. 

So what is Sin? Either of these definitions works, but I think to summarize it all a sin is something we do that makes God sad. What does His Word tell us makes Him sad, or things that He hates? We need to avoid those things. What does God's Word say He loves? We should strive to do those things, It all goes back to Give God Glory.