What Is Sin?

In this THINK ABOUT THIS… let’s talk about sin. What is sin?

Now, certainly, we could write up a whole booklet on this one subject of── sin.

The LORD our God’s living and immutable word says that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23.

But, what is the definition of sin according to the LORD our God?

This world believes that sin is: “thinking thoughts you ought not to be thinking about thoughts you ought not to be thinking about things you ought not to be doing while you are thinking the kind of thoughts.” Certainly a word salad straight from Kamala Harris!

Well, it’s not far from the truth── but still, no cigar.

The LORD our God’s definition of sin is──

“Whoever commits sin also commits LAWLESSNESS, and sin is LAWLESSNESS.” – 1 John 3:4.

It is a violation of the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

Now, nearly everyone on planet Earth knows, or has heard of the Ten Commandments! Right!? Let’s go over them──

1) “’ You shall have no other gods before Me.’”

2) “’ You shall not make for yourself a carved image── …’”

3) “’ You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, …’”

4) “’ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.’”

5) “’ Honor your father and your mother, …’”

6) “’ You shall not murder.’”

7) “’ You shall not commit adultery.’”

8) “’ You shall not steal.’”

9) “’ You shall not bear false witness …’”

10) “’ You shall not covet …’”

Also known as THE LAW OF LOVE!

Our Lord Jesus Christ has said, “ …’ Hear Me everyone, and understand: 15) There is nothing that enters a man from outside which can defile him; but the things which come out of him, THOSE are the things that defile a man. 16) If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear!’” – Mark 7:14-16.

What did He mean!? His disciples asked Him concerning this parable.

“ …’ Do you not perceive that WHATEVER enters a man from outside CANNOT defile him, 19) because it does not enter his heart but his stomach, and is eliminated, thus purifying all foods?’” – vs. 17-19.

Sadly, many Bible critics cite Mark 7:1-15 as a license from our Lord Jesus the Christ (Christ being His title) that all meats are allowed to be eaten. Did our Lord Jesus do away with the prohibition of unclean meats!? Did He say that He had “purged all meats”? The children of Israel’s dietary law was well known by the Jews in the time of Jesus. The self-righteous Pharisees criticized Jesus’ disciples for eating bread without first washing their hands – vs. 2. Our Lord Jesus’ response was to severely reprimand those self-righteous Pharisees for their rejection of God’s Commandments – vs. 6-13. He then summoned the crowd to hear what He was about to say (vs. 14). He told them that whatever goes into a man (into mankind) from the outside cannot defile the man, but what comes out of a man can (vs. 15-23). Now, many read verse 19 and conclude that a person can eat any kind of meat because our Lord Jesus has “purged all meats.” Sadly, most people neither carefully study and read verse 19, or they read past it – and thereby completely miss the entire point of Jesus’ instruction! Even our Lord Jesus’ own disciples did not immediately understand His teaching – vs. 18. The apostle Matthew’s account shows that apostle Peter asked Him to explain it – Matthew 15:15. Our Lord Jesus clearly was emphasizing that it is the evil things which come out of people – from within, out of the mouth and heart – that defiles a man. He went on to explain that to eat with unwashed hands does not spiritually defile anyone (Matthew 15:20; Mark 7:20-23). This entire account was written to address the futility of the Pharisees’ elaborate handwashing before meals! Privately He explained this parable to His disciples, He gave a frank description of the human body’s normal elimination of any accidentally ingested dirt. He said that such dirt “goes out into the draught” – in other words, the sewer. There was NEVER any Old Testament command to avoid eating food with dirty hands! Our Lord Jesus used this occasion to condemn a man-made tradition that had been elevated above the importance of getting rid of evil and rotten attitudes and thoughts that are INSIDE all human beings – thus defiling them! Notice that in Luke 11:38, the Pharisee was astonished that our Lord Jesus sat down to dine without first washing His hands. Our Lord showed that it is much more important to control what words come out of your mouth, and what thoughts come out of your mind than to worry about dirty hands – Mark 7:20-23.

“ …’ What comes out of a man, that defiles a man. 21) For from within, OUT OF THE HEART OF MEN, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, 22) thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness. 23) All these evil things come from within and defile a man.’” – Mark 7:20-23.

So, it’s the breaking of the TEN COMMANDMENTS!

And, what man── as well as what true brother or sister── has not time and time again struggled against committing sin as described by the apostle Paul!?

“For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. 20) Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.” – Romans 7:19-20.

All of us── at times── have lost this struggle.

Now, no man or woman can live ABOVE not ever sinning against the LORD God. The Lord our God says──

“ … ‘With men it is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible.’” – Mark 10:27.

Our beloved apostle Paul continued that our ONLY DELIVERANCE from this “body of death” is through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ – Romans 8. CHRIST IN YOU!

“that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do NOT walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.” – Romans 8:4.

But, the Spirit is not going to do it for us──we must do our part! And, like our Lord Jesus has said, it all has to do with our HEART.

Repentance. To repent of sin literally means to change one’s heart and mind in respect to the breaking of God’s Commandments, and accepting our Lord Jesus as Savior. For us to be “renewed in the Spirit of your mind, 24) and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:23-24.

Again, CHRIST IN YOU!

The apostle James (a brother to our Lord Jesus) explains to us exactly how sin occurs──

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15) Then, when desire [the desire WITHIN THE HEART] has CONCEIVED, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth DEATH.” – James 1:14-15.

You are TEMPTED IN YOUR MIND. When you think about something that tempts you── and you allow your mind to dwell upon it── either a desire to go somewhere, to do something, or to have something you know that is WRONG── the thinking about it finally CONCEIVES (it leads to action), and then GIVES BIRTH (you sin).

Truly, if you continue thinking about it, after a while you can’t resist it.

How do you prevent sinning!?

You allow your mind to be filled with God’s Spirit──

“ … seek those things which are above, where Christ is, … 2) set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.” – Colossians 3:1, 2.

A spiritually mature begotten child of God should use self-discipline and set his heart on spiritual things. If a TEMPTATION enters your mind, OPEN UP GOD’S LIVING WORD── refocus your mind on a spiritual subject. Pray over it── and ask God the Father and our Lord Jesus to help you. You will begin to rapidly win the victory over temptation and sin! □