IDENTIFYING SIN

Is it sin? "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Sin is any nonconformity to, or transgression of, the character, Word, or will of God. However, some things are sin in some situations ... but not in other situations. Some things are sin for some people ... but not for others. God has instructed us in how to identify sin as sin. The Bible clearly identifies many actions and attitudes as sin ... and contains guidelines for determining if questionable things are or are not sin.

It is sin if ... it grieves rather than glorifies God. "Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God" Ephesians 4:30. "Do all to the glory of God." 1 Corinthians 10:31. Our lives should be consistent with our position as children of God. "Walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory." 1 Thessalonians 2:12.

It is sin if ... it violates the written Word of God. "Keep His commandments." Psalm 78:7. "You have ordained Your precepts, that we should keep them diligently." Psalm 119:4. The quality of your relationship with Jesus is connected to your obedience. "If you love Me, you will keep My commandments." John 14:15. "You are My friends if you do what I command you." John 15:14.

It is sin ... if you omit doing the right thing. Sins of omission are also sins. Holiness is more than a sinless vacuum. "Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin." James 4:17.

It is sin ... even if it is done in ignorance. Not knowing the Bible is no excuse. "Now if a person sins and does any of the things which the Lord has commanded not to be done, though he was unaware, still he is guilty and shall bear his punishment." Leviticus 5:17.

It is sin if ... it damages or denigrates the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit indwells you. "Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?" 1 Corinthians 6:19.

It is sin if ... it leads to slavery. Addictive behavior and enslaving substances are wrong. "All things are lawful for me, but not all things are profitable. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be mastered by anything." 1 Corinthians 6:12.

It is sin if ... you are committing it in your mind. It has been said that you cannot stop the birds from flying over your head ... but you can stop them from nesting in your hair. This illustrates the difference between thought temptations and thought sins. Jesus said, "I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart." Matthew 5:28.

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IN THE WAR 10    PAGES: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15    
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Disciplemaking 1, copyright 2003, is available free from www.MyDisciplemaker.org where you can study online or print free copies. You may copy this course, any any part of it, for free or at-cost distribution ... without change to the content ... and with this copyright policy attached. Published by www.ActsOneEight.org. Bible Quotations are from the NASB unless noted.