What is sin?
The Bible presents sin as a deep and multifaceted reality that cannot be reduced to a list of forbidden actions. Sin is sin because it destroys what God loves—human flourishing, relational harmony, and the goodness of creation. God’s commands are not arbitrary; they arise from his love and his desire to see people live in what truly leads to life (Deuteronomy 10:13). Even when God’s rules feel abstract, insignificant, or difficult—such as biblical calls to sexual purity—these commands safeguard joy, stability, and wholeness (Psalm 19:7–11). Sin never leaves a person untouched; it corrupts, distorts, and enslaves.
1. Sin is a violation of God’s character and a rejection of His love
The Bible teaches that sin is fundamentally theological. It is rebellion against God himself.
Scripture teaches:
Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4).
Sin is falling short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23).
Sin is choosing our own way instead of God’s (Isaiah 53:6).
Even sins committed against people are ultimately offenses against God (Psalm 51:4).
There is a nature and effects of sin; sin warps human nature, corrupts desire, and opposes God’s holiness.
2. Sin emerges from the heart and shapes behavior
Jesus taught that sin begins internally before it manifests externally:
“From within, out of the heart… come evil thoughts…” (Mark 7:21–23).
Human behavior flows from a disordered heart (Jeremiah 17:9). The human will voluntary turns from God—a decision that fractured creation.
3. Sin includes both actions and omissions
The Bible identifies sin’s imputation in two categories:
1. Sins of commission—doing what God forbids (James 2:10).
2. Sins of omission—failing to do what God commands (James 4:17).
Scripture holds humanity accountable for both kinds, showing how guilt attaches not only to rebellion but also to neglect.
4. Sin always harms people because it violates God’s design for flourishing
Because God is love (1 John 4:8), sin is anything that contradicts love.
Sin harms:
ourselves (Proverbs 5:22)
others (Romans 13:10)
communities and nations (Proverbs 14:34)
all creation (Genesis 3:17–19)
Sin is not a private defect but a destructive force that damages the image of God and tears apart society.
5. Sin is fundamentally idolatry
At its root, sin is misplaced worship.
Humans “exchanged the glory of God” for idols (Romans 1:23).
God forbids giving the heart to any rival deity (Exodus 20:3).
Sinful desire elevates created things above the Creator (James 1:14–15).
Every vice—pride, greed, anger, envy, lust, gluttony, and sloth (cf. 7 Deadly Sins)—flows from disordered worship.
6. Sin often appears attractive before it destroys
The first sin perfectly illustrates this:
Eve saw that the tree was “a delight to the eyes” and “desired” (Genesis 3:6).
Yet Scripture warns:
“Its end is the way to death” (Proverbs 14:12).
“Sin… brings forth death” (James 1:15).
7. Sin is both personal and social
Sin is not merely individual failure; it infects families, systems, nations, and cultures.
The prophets describe:
Idolatry as spiritual adultery (Hosea 1–3).
Political alliances without God as rebellion (Isaiah 30:1–3).
Oppression and injustice as sin (Amos 5:12).
8. Sin had a beginning and will have an end
The Bible teaches that:
Sin entered through Adam (Romans 5:12).
Sin will be judged (Acts 17:31).
Christ will destroy all evil (1 Corinthians 15:24–26).
A sinless world is coming (Revelation 21:4).
Conclusion
The Bible presents sin as a tragic rebellion against God’s holiness and a rejection of what leads to human flourishing. God’s commands exist not to limit life, but to give it (John 10:10). Sin begins in the heart, violates God’s character, damages relationships, distorts worship, and corrupts society. Yet sin does not have the final word. Through Jesus, forgiveness and restoration are offered freely, and the world will one day be freed from its power.
Bible Verses about Sin
Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
1 John 3:4, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.”
Isaiah 53:6, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way.”
Jeremiah 17:9, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?”
Mark 7:21–23, “For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery… All these evil things come from within, and they defile a person.”
Psalm 51:4, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight.”
Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.”
James 1:14–15, “Each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”
Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Revelation 21:4, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more… for the former things have passed away.”
