What Constitutes Sin?

Recently, I received a question about “what actually constitutes sin.” The person who posed the question was concerned about her thoughts about a certain sin and whether God considered her thoughts to be just as sinful as the act itself.

After praying for an answer from the Lord, here’s what He gave me to write to her. I’d appreciate your comments as well:

Interesting question. I think we all struggle with the “what actually constitutes sin” question from time to time, especially when there’s a gray area.

That’s just it. There are gray areas—many of them. There are things that the Bible just doesn’t explicitly call out as being acts of sin. The Bible may not write everything in big, bold letters, but it does give some principles, guidelines, wisdom, and examples of morally acceptable people and deeds that demonstrate what God considers to be the right way to live.

For instance, look at the biblical story of King David’s adulterous affair with Bathsheba (Read 2 Samuel 11 for the whole story). David was on his rooftop one night and happened to see her bathing through her open window. Now, right then and there he thought that she was very beautiful. So what did David do? He kept right on looking. Later, he called for her—a married woman, by the way—slept with her, and then arranged to have her husband killed to cover up the indiscretion (because Bathsheba was pregnant). The Bible says in verse 27 that God was displeased with what David had done.

The “what David had done” part refers to the entire progression of things—from the initial response to the temptation to the murder to cover up the sin. David fell down a slippery slope because he failed to control his thoughts in the first place. Here’s what the Bible says about that process (James 1:12-16, KJV):

¹²Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. ¹³Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: ¹⁴But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. ¹⁵Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ¹⁶Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Basically, if you’re thinking of committing a sinful act, then the very thought is sin in God’s eyes. Why? Because it takes your mind and your heart off of Him and focuses them on unholy, worldly things. And, as we saw in David’s case, the thought can lead you into the act itself. This is why no one—absolutely no one—is good enough to get into Heaven alone (for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God—Rom. 3:23). This is why Jesus came to be the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

Does that make sense? I know it’s hard to control every thought. I’m human and I have all sorts of stuff running around my mind sometimes. But God knows that we’re flawed and that we will, from time to time, fall. But it is His hope that we strive to do what’s right in His eyes. Homosexuality is a sin to God. It’s very clear in the Bible. Therefore, the thought of committing such an act is a sin to Him as well. BUT DO NOT LET THAT CONDEMN YOU!!! God wants us to know that He does NOT condemn us. He condemns the act and stands ready to forgive us of any and every sin we commit or even think about committing. He’s also there—in the form of the Holy Spirit and His Word—waiting to help us get past the initial temptation or thought, too.

I hope this answered your question. I’ll keep you in prayer.

God bless.

 

As I continued to ponder this question and pray for the young lady involved, the Lord reminded me that one day we will give an account for every transgression of His holy Law (See Eccl. 11:9; Matt. 12:26; Rom. 14:12; et al.). Not only will we hear the sins we’ve committed, but also the dirty or even slightly unholy thoughts that lingered too long, off-color comments we made about people under our breath, grotesque hand gestures, and so on.

God is Holy—pure, perfect, without blemish or corruption—and He requires that His people be holy also (See Lev. 11:44, et al.). We cannot do this in our own strength. But if we believe, we can do all things through Christ Jesus who strengthens us (Phil. 4:13).

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, let’s try our very best to keep our thoughts and minds pure, so that we honor God and live as the salt and light that He has called us to be.

To all of my other friends, I encourage you to get to know Jesus Christ for yourself. Ask God to reveal Himself to you and He will.

God bless you all!

Firmly In His Grip,

Genikwa