What Is Sin?

Question 1: What is sin?

ANSWER: Sin is a transgression (breaking or violation) of the law (I John 3:4). All unrighteousness is sin (I John 5:17). To know to do good and not do it is sin (James 4:17). When one conducts himself so that he violates the Word of God, he sins. It may be a deed done, or it may be something left undone.

Sin causes spiritual death (Ephesians 2:1), which is separation from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). It must be removed in order for the sinner to be (saved) reconciled to God (II Corinthians 5:20). Christ shed His blood in order that our sins might be (removed) washed away (Revelation 1:5). Many passages tell us what we must do in order to be washed in His blood! See Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; I Peter 3:21.

Question 2: Is masturbation sin?

ANSWER: Masturbation is a stimulation of the sexual organs. Such stimulation, whether personal or reciprocal, as a prelude to sexual intercourse between a husband and his wife would not be considered sin. However, such stimulation for the purposes of self-gratification invariably stems from, and includes, immoral thoughts. This would, indeed, be sinful! The following passages of scripture are violated in this activity: Proverbs 4:23, "Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life;" Proverbs 23:7, "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he;" Matthew 5:28, "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart;" Matthew 15:19, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witnesses, blasphemies;" Philippians 4:7-8, "And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Jesus Christ. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, what­soever things are just; whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatso­ever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." The temptation to engage in the subject activity can be thwarted by obedi­ence to these scriptures!

Remember too, I Corinthians 10:13, "There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted above that ye are able to bear; but will with the temptation also make a way of escape, that ye may be able to bear it." God has clearly provided a way of escape from this sinful activity: I Corinthians 7:2, "Nevertheless to avoid fornications, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband." There is also an applicable prin­ciple in I Corinthians 7:9, "But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn."

Question 3: In light of Genesis 1:27; 9:7 (Be ye fruitful and multiply), is it right to use contraceptives and family planning? How about planning through abortion?

ANSWER: We ought not to read more into these passages than was intended. Given the fact that at the time these words were spoken to the first couple and to Noah and his sons, there were two people and eight people, respectively, in the whole earth. God is simply commanding them to populate the earth. Certainly, He is not commanding all couples everywhere for all time to produce the maximum number of children within their physical capabilities, as some Catholics have been led to believe. There is no pro­hibition in these passages, or anywhere else in the Bible, against birth control. Con­versely, in I Timothy 5:8, it is clearly implied that our families should be no larger than the number for which we are capable of providing. If one unwisely permits his family to become so large that he cannot make proper provisions "for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." Surely, then, included in this implica­tion we can see and understand the principle of family planning. Nonetheless, that family planning is not to include abstinence, at least for extended periods, is made clear by the reason given in I Corinthians 7:1-5, i.e., to avoid fornication! Exclusive of abstinence, the remaining alternatives to having more children than those for which we can provide are: sexual relations only during the female’s non-fertile period, withdrawal by the male, or the use of contraceptives. Some (the Catholic Church) would hold that the first of these re­maining alternatives is scriptural; the others are not. However, there is no basis for such theology, since it can be logically and sensibly concluded that each of these alternatives is indicative of birth control and family planning. It can also be correctly noted that none of them are legislated against in the Word of God!  We must conclude then, since we are not permitted to have more children than the number for which we can provide and we are not permitted long periods of abstention, that one of the remaining alternatives must be selected. There is no other choice! That selection is not to be mandated by any, but is to be made by each married couple!   

As to abortion: The Bible clearly teaches that it is sin to murder (Galatians 5:19-21), i.e., that is, with intent, to take another's life. That a baby in the womb is considered by God to be a living person is made clear by the God-inspired words written by David in Psalms 139:13-15, "For thou hast possessed my reins (created my inward parts): thou hast covered (protected) me in my mother's womb. I will praise thee; for I am fearfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth greatly. My substance (body) was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously fashioned in the lowest parts of the earth (in a place away from man's observation)." God told Jeremiah (1:5), "Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations."

If God knew David and sanctified Jeremiah while in the womb, it is certain that He knows all that are in the womb today and recognizes them as persons in the same fashion. Therefore, to put to death that which God recognizes as a person and/or a personality is to violate Galatians 5:19-21.

Also, in Exodus 21:22-25, Moses by inspiration said that if a man hurts a woman with child and causes her to be delivered prematurely with neither the mother or child being permanently hurt, the father may require settlement of the one who caused the premature birth as the judges would decide. Then it discusses what would happen under that Law to a man who caused a premature birth and the death of the baby (or the mother), i.e., "then thou shalt give life for life." Under the Law that God had given Moses and the children of Israel, life was to be taken from one who had, with intent, taken another's life. Genesis 9:6, "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made He man."

Consider (1), since life was to be taken from one who caused the death of a baby through a forced premature birth and (2) since God said that taking of a life of a person was necessary when that person shed the blood of another person, it logically follows then that the unborn baby must be a person, i.e., a living being!

The fact that God said, "life (of the one causing the hurt) for life (of the baby or the mother),” proves that the slain baby was alive and constituted a life, i.e., a person created by God!

Murder it all its forms, including abortion, is a grevious sin against the victim and against the victim's Creator.

Question 4: Is it sinful to drink alcohol and use tobacco?

ANSWER: Yes! Please read Proverbs 23:29-35; Isaiah 5:11; Habakkuk 2:15; I Corinthians 6:9-11; and Galatians 5:19-21. In addition to the clear teaching of these pas­sages, also consider the fact that the partaking of alcoholic beverages (in any amount) lowers one's resistance to temptation and, further, that those who do so, very often yield to all sorts of ungodly sins. How can one who drinks alcohol pray (as all have been com­manded to do) that they will not be led into temptation (Matthew 6:13)? To do so would be to make a mockery of God and His word!  The apostle Paul in I Corinthians 6:19 states that, as Christians, we are not our own; that our bodies are the temples of the Holy Spirit, belonging to Him! It follows then that to introduce any substance of harm (such as drugs, alcohol or tobacco) into that which houses the Holy Spirit would be inappropriate. As well, such activity in one's body certainly does not glorify God and would, therefore, be a violation of I Corinthians 6:20.

Question 5: Is it sinful to be cremated?

ANSWER: There is nothing in the Bible that teaches that cremation is wrong or sinful. Clearly, after death we will return to dust (Genesis 3:19). Whether we return to dust under normal conditions or through the chosen accelerated process of cremation matters not at all. Many have not chosen to be cremated, but have been nonetheless consumed by fire! Some have died at sea and been devoured by fish and other creatures! Some have been devoured by wild land animals! No matter how our bodies are disposed of at death, God will reunite the elements that now make up our bodies with our spirits at the resurrection on the day of judgment (John 5:28-29; I Corinthians 15; II Corinthians 5:1-4).

Question 6: Should a Christian dance socially?

ANSWER: No! In Galatians 5:19-21, we find listed the "works of the flesh." Those who engage in any of these will not inherit the kingdom of God (Vs.21). One of the "works of the flesh" is described as "lasciviousness" (Vs.19). This word is defined as: an expression of lust; tending to excite lustful desires; unchaste handling of males and females; and indecent bodily movements. Surely, these definitions are vividly descriptive of the "social" dance. Those who engage in such cannot inherit the kingdom of God!

Question 7: Should a Christian play music like "disco" and "blues?"

ANSWER: Music is not wrong of itself. However, if that music is so composed (whether through the "beat" or the "words") to cause one to have impure thoughts and feelings, then it is sinful and must be avoided (Galatians 5:19-21; Philippians 4:8)!                                                                     

Question 8: Is it wrong to play pool?

ANSWER: Pool playing of itself is not sinful. Many times, however, pool tables are located in places where a person could not go without compromising his or her Chris­tianity (II Corinthians 6:14-18). This, of course, would be sinful. As well, to use this or any other game as a means of gambling would be wrong. All gambling is sin (including lotteries, raffles, and religiously sponsored bingo games)! It is addictive and has often destroyed loving relationships and homes (I Timothy 5:8). It is also indicative of one without Christian character and principles, whose covetous intent it is to get something for which he has not labored, at the expense of others (Genesis 3:19; Acts 20:34-35; Ephesians 4:28; Ephesians 5:3).

Question 9: Is it a sin for a seventeen-year-old boy to have a girl friend?

ANSWER: As long as the boy and the girl conduct themselves as Christians at all times, both in public and private places, it is not sinful. Both should understand, however, that "petting" or any other illicit activity designed to incite or satisfy unlawful lusts is wrong (Galatians 5:19-23; Philippians 4:8)! Christians are to, at all times, be found "pure in heart" (Matthew 5:8)!

Question 10: Is it right for a Christian to watch television or listen to the radio?

ANSWER: It is not sinful to watch television and listen to the radio provided that the time spent is not excessive and what is watched and heard is not sinful. Does it cause you to have evil thoughts; to focus on evil things rather than that which is good? If so, it is wrong and should not be engaged in (Philippians 4:8). As well, faithful Christians will be careful how they use their time (Ephesians 5:15-16).

Question 11: Is it wrong to kill a thief who breaks into a home to steal one’s property and who threatens one’s family?

ANSWER: A man may kill in defense of his home or his country while remaining a faithful Christian, provided that the situation demands the action! Some have thought otherwise on the basis of the sixth commandment which says, "Thou shall not kill." This commandment, however, is simply a prohibition against premeditated murder. Every man has the right and obligation of self-protection and self-defense (Exodus 22:1-4), as the protector of home and fam­ily. To shun that responsibility would be wrong! However, it should always be remembered that the protection of home and family would not in every case demand the killing of a criminal who enters by stealth and / or force. The force to be used to thwart that entry should only be that absolutely necessary for purposes of defense. To kill under circumstances when killing is not clearly necessary would be wrong!

Question 12: Is it a sin not to attend mid-week services?

ANSWER: Yes!  The admonition of Hebrews 10:25 (to say nothing of Psalms 122:1; Matthew 6:33; Colossians 3:2; etc.) is explicit! We are not to forsake the "assemblings (plural)!" This passage does not say "the" assembly (singular), as though it had reference solely to Sunday morning and/or evening. Neither does "the day (singular) approaching" refer to the next first day of the week or any other day of worship for that matter. To so suggest would also be to suggest that the exhortation to assemble would require each of us to progressively exhort to a higher degree as we go through the week! No scholar through out the ages has so held! The "day" may refer to one of two "days," with neither violating the context, i.e., either Christ's symbolic coming in the destruction of Jerusalem or His literal coming to judge all of mankind.

Undoubtedly the time of worship on the Lord's Day and frequency of worship on other days is a matter of option. In such matters, the collective decision of the elders is totally authoritative and binding upon each Christian under their oversight. Each is to be obedient to those who have the rule over them (Hebrews 13:7,17). To forsake the mid-week service, or any other service so appointed by the elders, is to sin by violating these verses, as well as those cited above! Some would argue, "Well, I don't think we have to meet during mid-week, because the elders could lord it over the flock and demand that we meet seven times a day, seven times a week!" Certainly they could, but in my 60+ years in the church I have not known any who have so done and, further, I doubt that those who make such an argument have! If any group of elders would lord it over the flock in any way, provisions are made for such an eventuality (I Timothy 5:17-20). Our commitment to the Lord must be never depend on what we think could happen, but rather upon His Word. 

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