How to Sin 101
What is sin? How can I do it? Sin is not the same for everyone. Some sins are universal, but other sin really depends on what covenant you are in. For example, is it a sin to eat pork? If you are circumcised into the Law of Moses, then yes, it is a sin. If you aren’t in Moses’ covenant, then eating pork isn’t a sin. Let’s go on to see exactly how to sin.
What is sin?
Great question. The answer that the bible gives is that, “Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness” (1John 3:4). “All unrighteousness is sin…” (1John 5:17). Having said that, is it possible to sin if there is not law? “Before the law was given, sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death (which is the end result of sin) reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come.” (Rom 5:13-14).
How to sin if you’re not under any covenant
Imagine Adam in the garden of Eden. Besides keeping the garden, Adam only had one command to follow; “Don’t eat the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and evil” (Gen 2:17). So, could Adam have done anything else to sin? SURE! Here’s a small list.
- He could have cursed God.
- He could have made an idol out of something and worshiped it instead of God.
- He could have murdered his wife or children like Cain murdered his brother Able.
- He could have had sex with the animals.
The list goes on, but the point is that evil comes from the heart (Mark 7:21 & Luke 6:45). There doesn’t necessarily need to be a law to break for you to sin. Cain murdered his brother Able before there was a law that said “do not murder”, but God still punished him (Gen 4:10-12). Your conscience isn’t always good to follow, because it can be evil (Heb 10:22). The conscience must be cleaned before you follow it.
How to sin if you’re a Jew
Jews have to be circumcised and sacrifice a lamb or two turtle doves in order to enter the Law of Moses (Lev 12). You may think that the only thing a Jew would have to do to sin is break the written law. While that is true, the truth of the matter is that sin is still an issue of the heart. It doesn’t help to follow the law to the letter and disobey the spirit of the law. The law can be found from Exodus 20 through Deuteronomy.
How to sin if you’re a Christian
If you are a Christian, it means that “you are saved by grace through faith” (Eph 2:8). If you’re saved through your faith, then it makes sense that “whatever is not of faith is sin” (Rom 4:23). If you do anything with doubt, and not in faith in Jesus, then its sin and you’re damned. Christians are not under the Law of Moses. For example, you don’t need to observe the Sabbath day, but you must be sure that not observing it is right, and your conscience can’t condemn you (Rom 14:5). Anything you do, if you have 1% doubt that its right, and you don’t do it in faith in Jesus, is sin. There doesn’t need to be a written command not to do that thing. If your own heart condemns you, then it is sin.
Did you know that through Christ, sinless perfection is possible? Do you know where we go after death?
