What is sin?

1. 79

   pennyofheavenposted 12 years ago

   Here's Wikipedia's version
   
   ......A sin (also called peccancy) is an act that violates a known moral rule. The term sin may also refer to the state of having committed such a violation. Commonly, the moral code of conduct is decreed by a divine entity[citation needed], i.e. divine law.......
   
   If we were born with sin according to the christian belief system then a moral rule or moral code of conduct would have had to existed before we were born.
   
   If Jesus died for our sins then sin shouldn't exist anymore and his said sacrifice was not how it was depicted in the bible and could have meant something totally different.
   
   Sin like most other words mean different things to different people.  So I am interested in your views on sin. What does sin mean to you?

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      Ms Deeposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sin is the breaking of God's law (1 John 3:4). Also, it is disobeying God or rebellion against God (Deuteronomy 9:7).

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         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         So in your view, the known moral law according to wikipedia is Gods law that would have had to exist prior to us being born?

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            Knight6posted 12 years agoin reply to this

            sin in real terms is when you let your own moral rules down we all have it in us to know the difference between right and wrong as we grow we learn more of the differences from the people around us and from our own mistakes after a time we set our own moral rules as for being born with sin i fail too see what horrid thing was done that was so bad to justify such a sin to be past on to our childern and dont give me the adam and eve story because that is all it is a story

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            1. 79

               pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Going against what is naturally inherent then? Shaping and molding it as we experience life?

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   2. 66

      heavenbound5511posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sin is anything that separates us from God or leads us away from God.
      
      16These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him:
      
      17A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,
      
      18An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief,
      
      19A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.> Prov 6
      
      A new commandment I give to you, That you love one another; as I (Jesus) have loved you, that you also love one another.> John 13:34
      This verse has more to it than it may appear because it is reminding us of what Jesus went through for us - His love for us is what kept His focus  not matter how bad the torment, temptation, fear, pain, or mocking got he still chose to do what was right because He loved us and wanted to save us!
      Love covers a multitude of sins - God's love = Jesus death and resurrection that gave us a way to be forgiven and restored.

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         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         How can anything separate us from God if God is in all things? Or are you referring more to awareness of Gods existence?

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   3. 59

      kessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      This world is built upon the foundation that men will not know the nature and way of sin, thus they will create it so that it will work against their own selves But the true nature of sin is this; Sin is that which does not exist neither can it be....this is why it is inevitably link with death ...
      
      So we see when men who dies relate to sin they would do so in a way that does not show  the true nature of it, otherwise they himself would have understood enough to know and gain freedom from it thus eliminating death from within himself...
      
      To achieve this goal one must change the way he thinks....that is the repentance as spoken by those before who escaped the clothes of death...but ofcourse some will take that to mean to indulge themselves in a more sinful way of living....nevertheless  this need to happen so as the end of sin and death be accomplished .

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      1. 79

         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         So are you saying in other words, that in deviating from our true nature there occurs a metaphorical death of awareness. Man then has created the concept of sin to explain this unawareness of our true nature?

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   4. 65

      aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sin = Falling short of God's Glory.

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      1. 79

         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         What is your understanding of Gods glory?

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            aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Perfection. Purity. Holiness.

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            1. 79

               pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               Does anyone know what perfection, purity or holiness actually is? How would you describe them?

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               1. 65

                  aka-djposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Any good dictionary will answer that one much better than I could.
                  
                  I guess it comes down to knowing the nature of God, and then sin (imperfection, impurity, unholiness etc) is easy to understand. None of us measure up to that standard.
                  
                  As long as we try to define sin by comparing each others' behaviour, and/or morals, breaking rules and laws, we will not agree. It becomes subjective.
                  In which case I can understand people objecting to someone else "pushing" their morals on them.
                  A NO NO, in my opinion.

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                     pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Oh yes I understand what you are pointing to.

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   5. 58

      A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Notice how ridiculous such a concept is when brought out for examination. Essentially, new-born babies automatically violate known moral rules decreed by divine law.
      
      How exactly do they do that?

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      1. 79

         pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         The way wikipedia describes it, it doesn't make a whole lot of sense to me no.
         
         A known moral law, would mean that it existed prior to us being born, and this would mean we automatically already know this moral law. We cannot violate that which we don't know, like babies.

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         1. 0

            Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Babies are born into a world of sin, because of Adam and Eve's sin.  But the children aren't born sinful.  They can't make a choice to sin or not sin until they're mature enough.  The Bible says even a child is known by his ways, but that just means the child is born into a world where those laws exist.

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            1. 79

               pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               So are you saying sin is a choice..not a inbred characteristic of oneself?

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                  Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes, simplistically.   Like I said, though, a child (or even sometimes an adult) may commit a sin without realizing it's a sin at the time.  Humans (aside from maybe people who are born with mental defects etc.) are born with a conscience.  Sometimes it takes guidance and/or maturity to be able to listen to that conscience.

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                  1. 79

                     pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     So sin could be described then as lack of conscience in your view? So conscience is the known moral law to have existed prior to our arrival in this world?

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                        Brenda Durhamposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        God laid down the Law to Adam and Eve.  Conscience is what kicked in after they sinned.  So yes, conscience existed.  And conscience is the vehicle through which the Holy Spirit convinces people of their sins.

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                        1. 79

                           pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                           The tree of knowledge of good and evil then?

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            2. 58

               A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               No problem then. A child grows up in a family in which the parents have taught morals and values to the child based on logic, reason and rationale, and by sheer coincidence of living such a life, the person never sins according to the laws of God. That person therefore does not need religion.

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                  brotheryochananposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  One problem.
                  Not sharing ones life with God is sin.
                  We can have this life without God but one cannot hope to attain any part of the next life without God.

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                  1. 59

                     Jeramiposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     What if they believe in God;?  but are using a different set of crayons when they are painting their picture of that God? (metaphoricaly speaking)

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                  2. 58

                     A Troubled Manposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     I don't see how that's a problem at all. There are billions of believers all over the planet and they each have their own distinctive way in which they are "sharing one's life with God" - yours is but one way, just like everybody else.
                     
                     That would put you and everyone else in the distinct position of not having authority or opinion on how another shares their life with God, just as you wouldn't want someone else giving authority over yours.
                     
                     No problem.

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   6. 32

      saisarannagaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sins are really mistakes committed knowingly or unknowingly. If knowingly done, there will be definite punishment and if done unknowingly, we may pray God for mercy. In every religion there are certain maxims prescribed for the conduct of human beings. When we transgress those maxims, we incur sins.

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   7. 0

      jomineposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      If you do something not of my liking Thats sin.

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2. 95

   wildernessposted 12 years ago

   Sin is whatever the person watching and disapproving says it is.  Especially if they have the political power to stop it.

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   1. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How do you mean? Do you mean that it is a decision made by an individual or a group?

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      1. 95

         wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Both.  Either.
         
         The comments was actually a little sarcastic  as everyone seems to have a different definition.
         
         I even have my own: sin is willfully and unnecessarily hurting someone else.

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         1. 79

            pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            So ill/evil (can't decide which word to use) intended acts?

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            1. 95

               wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               If an act is unintentional (accidental perhaps) then it is not evil.  If I trip when walking, fall on someone else and break their arm it is not sinful or evil.  Careless perhaps (or maybe a cat ran between my feet), and that carelessness might be sinful, but the act of breaking the arm isn't sinful.
               
               Nor is it sinful to hurt your self.  Stupid, maybe, but not sinful.

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3. 81

   earnestshubposted 12 years ago

   Sin is someone's idea of what they disapprove of in others but not themselves.

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   1. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Not necessarily a religious concept then?

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4. 0

   Emile Rposted 12 years ago

   I think sins are simply the actions of the individual that make them feel, within themselves, as if they have done wrong. I think it has less to do with some universal definition of which actions are sin than it has to do with how your actions make you feel about yourself.
   
   I know the christians will vehemently argue this point, and I’m not attempting to imply that murder is OK if you think it is. I think the ‘thou shalt nots’ were all about ensuring that you understood you had no right to infringe on the rights of others. But, I think the concept of sin is more of a personal thing and it is truly different for everyone.
   
   Your actions in the physical world that cause you grief and worry force you to spend emotional time and energy that could have better been used elsewhere. They pull you down, not lift you up. They are a cloud on your spirit that makes it more difficult to feel worthy of a spiritual connection.

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      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      It appears you are describing what Kess describes... just in a different sense?

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         Emile Rposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         You've got me on that one. I have a hard time following what Kess is trying to say sometimes.  But, when I can, I oft times agree.  So, let's just say I am in agreement with him.

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5. 73

   lone77starposted 12 years ago

   For me, "sin" is anything which adds to "ego" (selfishness).
   
   Original sin is that selfishness which turned away from our true spiritual nature and wallowed in the physical dichotomies of reality -- good-evil, right-wrong, generous-selfish, etc.
   
   Yehoshua dying for our sins, for me, means nothing unless we "follow Christ."
   
   Some so-called Christians say they "follow Christ," but use their "saved" status as a "get out of Hell free" card, so they can do any manner of crime and still go to Heaven. Are they really "following" Christ, or is it a self-deception? Are they instead "following ego" (the master of this world)?

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   1. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      So ego in its effort to rule the realm is cloaking the individual in illusion and as we add to this illusion it is describing sin?

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6. 81

   earnestshubposted 12 years ago

   Sin is something a religionist projects on to others.

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   1. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      How does one project a concept on to others?

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      1. 81

         earnestshubposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         Well, first you decide what is right and wrong based on what you do or believe others may do that is "wrong"
         By standards based on religious beliefs in this case, then project those wrongs on to others that you would rather had them than themselves.
         
         Projection is seeing your own faults, but only in others.
         
         A common problem for religious fanatics is that they may pillage without the good lord beating them to a bloody pulp daily for all I know, but they don't get that others aren't as bad as they are.

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         1. 79

            pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            Other people then are only reflecting what we ourselves project? These projections are based solely on our own internal belief system that is derived from our own frame of references and parameters of perception.
            
            Sin therefore is created by oneself?

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            1. 81

               earnestshubposted 12 years agoin reply to this

               I couldn't decipher your first paragraph, ( probably my problem not yours.)
               Yes, I see no other source of what some call sin, than the unrecognised self.

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                  pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                  Yes that said it more simply.

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                  1. 81

                     earnestshubposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                     Thanks.

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                     1. 76

                        Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

                        I would go with that too.
                        
                        I wonder how many sins, would i be breaking here. If I happen to be born in a country like Iraq under their consititsional God of Ali,
                        
                        Either way, loving everyone just does not do it or will count, unless you say – my God is better than your God, which often flares up sin tax anyway.

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7. 36

   DrMikeFitzpatrickposted 12 years ago

   to "sin" was originally taken from an archery term, which means "to miss the mark".

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   1. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Oh wow. That puts a spin on the meaning.

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      livelongerposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Yes, that's correct. That's the origin of the Hebrew term ("het"). Sin is more straight-forward in Judaism than it is in Christianity, where it is more of an obsession.

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8. 0

   brotheryochananposted 12 years ago

   sin(s) is/are mistakes that Christians make during the course of their lifetime. Its not a big deal. We need not inhale and make the ahhhhhhh sound or gasp aloud. People are fallible, God knows this. If He were not trying to do an important work He would not give a care or His ways would be different. God says, love your enemies - but this one enemy really gets my goat. God says do not commit adultery - but the married woman next door is so hot she gets my blood boiling. On that last point, David thought Bathsheba was a hottie and she got his blood boiling to the point that David sent her husband to the front lines in war, in which very very few ever survived, then he married Bathsheba. Yet God did not stop working with David and said, 'David is a man after my own heart' but God did reject David from building the temple. This is the love and grace of God toward His creations. We fail - sometimes hugely - we make mistakes - even big ones - but God gave His son that whosoever might not perish but have eternal life.
   So sins exist because God made the rules, obviously God made the rules, i mean what society ever says, 'the things we like to do and are prone to do are wrong'. So obviously the rules came from an outside source who knows better, but the jist of my story is this, sin happens, pick yourself up christian, and learn and invite God to strengthen you so it doesn't happen again.

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      wildernessposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I like that I as a non-christian I cannot sin.  No more Hell for me!

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         DrMikeFitzpatrickposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         you are "doing you", perfectly, you cannot mess it up. there are no worries.

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         1. 79

            pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            That makes sense.

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   2. 79

      pennyofheavenposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Could those mistakes be like not following the natural order of things. Kinda like if spring were to occur after summer instead of before. The natural order of all things will change and it will be a change we are not prepared for..

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9. 57

   OutWestposted 12 years ago

   James 4:17
   Today's New International Version (TNIV)
   
   17 So then, if you know the good you ought to do and don’t do it, you sin.
   
   To me this has nothing to do with morals, which is how most people define sin.  This, to me, shows that anytime we do not do what we know is good and in our heart we sin.  It is very personal and really has nothing to do with religion or God but has to do with how we are living from moment to moment.

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      Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      That, somewhat works
      
      Because everyone already knows what is generally right from wrong. Then we can always adjust those mistakes.

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      1. 57

         OutWestposted 12 years agoin reply to this

         And I think it even goes as far as knowing what is right and wrong for the individual.  In other words what may be a sin for me may not neccesarily be a sin for you.

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         1. 76

            Castlepalomaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

            A good degree of truth in that too
            
            For example: USA leads Christians to double morals more than any other group or place I have ever experienced. Each ego group around the world have their own set of morals and often enough they break natures ethics in order to protect their assume prefect set of morals, in which, does not apply for everyone

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10. 81

    earnestshubposted 12 years ago

    Sins are someone else's idea of what YOU should believe and do.
    
    A religious construct like the word atheist.
    
    Other people trying to mind your business in other words.

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11. 60

    jay_kumar_07posted 12 years ago

    Blood of JESUS gives you the power to over come If you feel the sin in your function.
    Example-1. We can over come if we feel sin in seeing opposite with lust.Most of us
               not interested.
            2.We can over come if we feel sin in thoughts[cruel,angry,lust &sex].Most
              of us not interested.
            3. We can over come if we feel sin in speech.Most of us not interested to
              control our tongue.
            4. We can over come if we feel sin in eating food.
            5. We can over come if we feel sin in sex.
    We have the power to over come all sins. But not interested means what.
    
    JESUS told that I won and you all can be win.
    It means what.

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12. 52

    luthercropposted 12 years ago

    sin is the simplest form of  DISBELIEVE...the moment you stop believing in what you know is the truth the that is the moment u start sinning

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13. 49

    paarsurreyposted 12 years ago

    What is sin?
    
    Doing anything which is not pro-life is sin.

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