Definition Of Sin

Definition of Sin - What is it?
A definition of sin is doing what is wrong or not doing what is right according to God's rules (1 John 3:4). If God says "Do not lie" and you lie, then you have sinned. If God says "Do not steal" and you steal, then you have sinned. According to God, sin separates you from Him (Isaiah 59:2).

The Bible says, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities - his eternal power and divine nature - have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools..." (Romans 1:18-22).

God has a moral law and has given every man a conscience. The conscience acts to accuse or excuse us, compelling us to remain within the bounds of God's moral standards of conduct. Nevertheless, the conscience, much like a human muscle, though it remains strong if exercised, it atrophies with disuse. At one point, while morality still exists, one no longer feels constrained by it. After continually ignoring the urging of the conscience for a period of time, the conscience no longer functions as it should.

Definition of Sin - What are God's rules?
If a definition of sin is breaking God's rules, then what are His rules? What are God's moral standards of conduct? There are ten basic rules:

1. "I am the LORD your God...You shall have no other gods before Me" (Exodus 20:2-3).

God - your Creator - commands that He be the focal point of your affection. If you love your life, possessions, spouse, children, or vocation more than your Father in heaven, you love the gift more than the Giver.

2. "You shall not make for yourself a graven image" (Exodus 20:4).

You shall not make a god that suits yourself, either with your hands or your mind. One might say, "My god is not a god of wrath and judgment, my god is a god of love and mercy. He would never create hell." Well, that person has shaped a god to suit his sins. That's called idolatry.

3. "You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain" (Exodus 20:7).

You shall not use God's name as a curse word, or use it lightly, or fail to give it honor. When a man or woman uses God's name to curse, they are taking His name and substituting it in place of a four-letter filth word to express disgust. They equate God's name with that filth word. That's called blasphemy.

4. "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy" (Exodus 20:8).

The Bible says, "Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the LORD your God." Most people break this law once every seven days. It doesn't matter which day you choose. The Bible says one man esteems one day, someone else another day. It's a matter of conscience, not a matter of legalism.

5. "Honor your father and your mother" (Exodus 20:12).

God doesn't command us to honor our parents because they deserve it. We're all sinners. We are to honor them out of obedience to God.

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