What is My Sin

1 Samuel 20:1

Introduction

What is sin?

It is a word that can cause some confusion in our conversations and in our minds.

Different cultures mean different things by that word but the definition we are concerned with is the one that God uses.

Clarity on what sin (the problem) is helps us have greater clarity about the solution.

What is Sin?

Psalm 51:1-2 gives us three pictures of sin.

There are places where sin is defined in strict parameters (Lev. 19:22; Num. 5:7; Deut. 19:15).

This aspect does not require motive.

You can unknowingly trespass past boundaries you do not see and still be a trespasser.

But sin often involved an element of rebellion or rejection (Ezek. 18:24; Matt. 15:15-20).

In this way, even correct actions could be acted out in sinful ways (1 Cor. 13:1-3; Phil. 1:15-18).

There is a way in which sin takes on a life of its own (Gen. 4:7; Rom. 7:17, 20).

Iniquity and the consequences of iniquity are referred by the same word (Gen. 4:13; Lev. 5:17; 7:18; Jer. 51:6; Lam. 5:7).

The destruction then is all part of iniquity. It is the harvest that is naturally connected to the sowing (Ezek. 14:10).

This is what it means to die “in our iniquity” (Ezek. 33:8).

Likewise, sin and the sacrifice for sin use the same word (Lev. 4:3, 25; Prov. 10:16).

Some Applications

Sin can be identified and corrected (Gen. 31:36; 1 Sam. 20:1).

It is something we are called to stop doing (1 Cor. 15:34).

But we are trying to get down to the very root (Matt. 5:21-26; cf. 2 Cor. 12:7; Jas. 1:13-15, 26).

The battle with sin is a battle for control (Gen. 4:7; Rom. 6:14-18).

Understanding the consequences of sin brings clarity to the role of Christ (Isa. 53:4-12; 2 Cor. 5:21; Heb. 9:28; 1 Pet. 2:24).

Conclusion

The Bible uses words in ways that we do not.

Our language may not allow us to use words precisely the way they did, but we need to make accommodations even for that.

Ultimately, a more accurate understanding of sin gives us a more accurate picture of how to escape from it, which is what we want.

Do you want to be done with sin and sin to be done with you? Christ can break the hold.