How do we know if something is sin?
Sin is anything against the will and nature and character of God. This is described throughout Scripture, beginning with the Garden of Eden, where God told Adam and Eve not to partake of the fruit, which they did. Basically, sin is anything unholy. See the Seeking Holiness article for a description of and challenge towards holiness, and a list of the effects of sin.
See also the article on How to Determine the Will of God for You, which lists many things to consider if you are examining something specific, to understand if it is sin.
Practically, if you’re questioning whether or not something is sin, it very well may be. We should not draw too close to temptation - holiness is avoiding temptation (and therefore sin) as much as possible.
God's standard for us is that He wants is to be holy, to be perfect, as Jesus was. Of course, we will never attain to this, but this still should be our aim, our goal.
Sin is what separates man from God. Sin is often the easy path, and righteousness is the often the hard path to take.
Sin is described throughout Scripture, but some key passages are Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments), Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount), Proverbs 6:16-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
The key is being honest about what you are examining to determine if it is sin. Much of the time we are trying to justify something, find an excuse for something, that is really wrong.
Click here to view a fairly comprehensive list of sins.
Matthew 5:48 — ~"Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 7:14 — ~"For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
1 Corinthians 6:19 — Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own?
Proverbs 4:14-15 — Do not enter the path of the wicked And do not proceed in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.
Bible Answer From: The Holypop Team
See also the article on How to Determine the Will of God for You, which lists many things to consider if you are examining something specific, to understand if it is sin.
Practically, if you’re questioning whether or not something is sin, it very well may be. We should not draw too close to temptation - holiness is avoiding temptation (and therefore sin) as much as possible.
God's standard for us is that He wants is to be holy, to be perfect, as Jesus was. Of course, we will never attain to this, but this still should be our aim, our goal.
Sin is what separates man from God. Sin is often the easy path, and righteousness is the often the hard path to take.
Sin is described throughout Scripture, but some key passages are Exodus 20 (the Ten Commandments), Matthew 5-7 (the Sermon on the Mount), Proverbs 6:16-19 and 1 Corinthians 6:9-10.
The key is being honest about what you are examining to determine if it is sin. Much of the time we are trying to justify something, find an excuse for something, that is really wrong.
Click here to view a fairly comprehensive list of sins.
Avoid it, do not pass by it; Turn away from it and pass on.