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Identifying “SIN”
One of the central issues in Judeo-Christian thought is the issue of "sin" - it is what the human problem is all about. It is "sin/iniquity" that has separated us from God (Genesis 3 & Isaiah 59:2). We have all done some of it (2Chronicles 6:35; Romans 3:9,23) and, if untreated by God's grace/mercy, it will lead us to eternal death/separation from God (Romans 6:23). The treatment for sin, salvation, is not our focus in this article. Our concern here is identifying "sin" - what is it and what kinds of things does God put on the "sin list?"
Genesis 2:15-17 & 3:1-6/ Disobedience, eating the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (probably making your own decisions about what is “good/evil” where God has already spoken) Genesis 3:17/ listening to another human where God has already spoken
Exodus 34:6-7/ In the Old Testament, the most common terms for "sin" were chata (#2398, to miss the mark, go wrong, failure to meet expectations), chet (#2399, a sin), pasha/pesha (#6586/6588, rejection of authority), asham (#817, offense, guilt), and awon (deviation, twist, pervert). Three of these terms are used in Exodus 34:7 where it says that God will forgive "wickedness (awon), rebellion (pesha), and sin (chata)." The distinction in terms is important because it reveals that God is willing to forgive three kinds of sin in those who repent - twisted or perverted acts, rebellion against His authority, and failures to live up to His standards for us. However, both Old and New Testaments warn us that unrepentant persistence in these will bring God's wrath (Exodus 34:7; 1Corinthians 6:9,10; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:5; Colossians 3:5,6; Hebrews 10:26-30. Specified Sins Adultery (sexual relations between a married person and someone other than their spouse) - Exodus 20:14; Leviticus 18:20; 20:10; Deuteronomy 22:22; Matthew 5:27,28; 15:19; Romans 13:9; 1Corinthians 6:9; Galatians 5:19; Hebrews 13:4)
Astrology - Deuteronomy 4:19; 17:3
Bestiality (sexual relations between a human and an animal) - Leviticus 18:23,24; 20:15,16; Exodus 22:19
Covetousness (desiring what others have) - Exodus 20:17; 1Corinthians 6:10; Ephesians 5:3-5
Devising folly - Proverbs 24:9
Drunkenness - Deuteronomy 21:20; Proverbs 23:20,21,29-35; Isaiah 5:11,22; Luke 21;34; Romans 13:13; 1Corinthians 5:11; 6:10; Galatians 5:21; Ephesians 5:18; Habakkuk 2:5,15; Isaiah 22:13; 28:1,7-8; 56:12
Failing to do the right that you know (James 4:17)
Fornication (sexual relations between unmarried people) - Mark 7:21; Acts 15:20,29; 21:25; 1Corinthians 6: 9,10,18; Galatians 5:19; Ephesians 5:3,5; Colossians 3:5; 1Thessalonians 4:3; Heb. 13:4
Gossip - Romans 1:29; 2Cor. 12:20; Proverbs 16:28
Gluttony - Deuteronomy 21;20; Proverbs 23:20,21
Hating one's neighbor - Proverbs 14:21
Homosexuality - Leviticus 18:22; 20:13; Deuteronomy 23:17; Romans 1:26,27; 1Corinthians 6:9; 1Timothy 1:10
Idolatry - Exodus 20:4,5; Revelation 22:15; 1Corinthians 6:9,10
Incest - Leviticus 18:6-18; 20:11,12; Deuteronomy 22:30
Lawlessness - 1John 3:4
Lying - Exodus 20:16; 23:1,6; Leviticus 19:11,12,16; Ephesians 4:25; Colossians 3:9; 1Timothy 1:10; Revelation 21;27; 22:15
Murder/homicide - Exodus 20:13; 1Timothy 1:9; Revelation 22:15
Occult - Deuteronomy 18:9-14; Leviticus 19:31; 20:6,27; Exodus 22:18; Revelation 22:15
Polytheism - Exodus 20:3
Profanity - Exodus 20:7; Leviticus 9:12; Ephesians 5:4
Prostitution - Leviticus 19:29; 21:7; Deuteronomy 23:17
Stumbling block to others - Matthew 13:41; 16:23; 18:7; Luke 17:1; Romans 14:13; 1Corinthians 8:9
Theft - Exodus 20:15; 1Corinthians 6:10
Transvestism - Deuteronomy 22:5
Unrighteousness - 1 John 5:17
Violating your conscience - Romans 14:23
Sin Lists The Ten Commandments Worshipping anything before the Lord, Idolatry, Speaking of God in “common/vain” terms, Violating the Sabbath, Dishonoring parents, Homicide, Adultery, Theft, False Legal Testimony, Coveting your neighbors property or mate (Exodus 20:1-17)
Seven Abominations the Lord Hates in Proverbs There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19) To the Roman Church And just as they did not see fit to acknowledge God any longer, God gave them over to a depraved mind, to do those things which are not proper, being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips, slanderers, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, inventors of evil, disobedient to parents, without understanding, untrustworthy, unloving, unmerciful; and although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:28-32) The “Deeds of the Flesh” to the Galatians Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. (Galatians 5:19-21) To the Corinthians Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God. (1Corinthians 6:9-10) To Timothy realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, (1Timothy 1:9-10) But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; Avoid such men as these. For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. (2Timothy 2:1-7) Unforgivable Sin
Defiantly breaking God’s Commandments (Numbers 15:30-31)
Defiant Idolatry (Deuteronomy 29:19-21)
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit’s testimony that Jesus is the Messiah (Mark 3:28-30)
Continuing in sin that brings death (1John 5:16,17)
Turning away from the faith (Hebrews 6:4-8)
Continuing willfully in sinful habits after conversion (Hebrews 10:26)
Turning back to your old sins after conversion (2Peter 2:20-22)
Causes of Sin 1) Following the course/lifestyles/social pressures of the world, influenced by the evil spiritual power that encourages disobedience/living for our fleshly lusts/imagination (Ephesians 2:1-3)
2) Living by empty/futile thinking, darkened understanding, ignorance of God, hard-hearts & callous, having chosen to live by their senses and practice impurity and greediness (Ephesians 4:17-19)
3) futile patterns of life inherited from our family/ancestors (1Peter 1:18)
4) tempted in the area of our personal desires/appetites (James 1:14-15) -------------------------------------------------- Charles E. McCoy 1/21/2006
A Ministry of Severn Christian Church (Severn, Maryland) Unless otherwise noted, all material produced by Charles E. McCoy All Scripture citations/quotations from New American Standard Bible To send a question to Chuck: chuck@severnchristian.org
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