Question 1

What is sin?

Accepted Answer

Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.Sin is falling short of the standard of purity set forth by a holy God.Romans 2:15They demonstrate that God’s law is written in their hearts, for their own conscience and thoughts either accuse them or tell them they are doing right.Sin is violating God’s moral law, which is written in our conscience, though this also is affected by sin.Romans 6:12Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.Sin is a power that seeks to influence, enslave, and destroy us.Ephesians 2:1-2Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins. You used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil—the commander of the powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God.Sin is obedience to Satan rather than to God. Before we encounter Christ we are dead spiritually because of sin and yet living out a limited life under bondage to Satan.Romans 3:12“All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”Galatians 6:7Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.Sin is always a liability, not an asset. It is always wrong, so it always produces bad consequences. It is always intent on resisting and rejecting God.1 Timothy 1:4Don’t let them waste their time in endless discussion of myths and spiritual pedigrees. These things only lead to meaningless speculations, which don’t help people live a life of faith in God.Sin has no legitimate purpose, or use. It produces nothing of value or worth.Isaiah 59:1-2Listen! The Lord’s arm is not too weak to save you, nor is his ear too deaf to hear you call. It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.Romans 5:8God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.Sin is a wall that separates us from God. God crossed that separation in Christ, offering us salvation through his death.Romans 6:19-20Because of the weakness of your human nature, I am using the illustration of slavery to help you understand all this. Previously, you let yourselves be slaves to impurity and lawlessness, which led ever deeper into sin. Now you must give yourselves to be slaves to righteous living so that you will become holy. When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right.Sin is a deeply ingrained addiction that enslaves every human being.Romans 6:12Do not let sin control the way you live; do not give in to sinful desires.Sin is often alluring and attractive, offering short-term pleasure in exchange for long-term consequences. It continues to exert influence even on followers of Jesus because we remain capable of sin.Galatians 5:19-21When you follow the desires of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.Sin is toxic and unhealthy. The more we succumb to sinful temptations, the more we call into question the reality of our trust in Jesus and his saving work in our lives.Romans 7:21-23I have discovered this principle of life—that when I want to do what is right, I inevitably do what is wrong. I love God’s law with all my heart. But there is another power within me that is at war with my mind. This power makes me a slave to the sin that is still within me.Sin is warfare of the soul, a constant battle inside us. Paul is speaking here of the realities of continuing to live in our fallen world as a follower of Jesus.James 4:17Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.Sin is not only doing wrong things, but failing to do the right things.Mark 8:34Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.Sin is selfishness and an unwillingness to even consider living selflessly.

Question 2

What are the consequences of sin?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 51:1-6Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.Sin infects us from the moment of conception. We are born sinners and confirm our condition as soon as we are able to act sinfully.Isaiah 59:2It’s your sins that have cut you off from God. Because of your sins, he has turned away and will not listen anymore.Sin alienates and separates us from God, so that we are not able to enjoy a relationship with him.Matthew 15:18-19“But the words you speak come from the heart—that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. But evil words come from an evil heart and defile the person who says them. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all other sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.”James 1:13-15Remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.Our sins make us impure and turn our hearts toward doing wrong.Exodus 34:7“I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin. But I do not excuse the guilty. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations.”Leviticus 5:17“Suppose you sin by violating one of the Lord’s commands. Even if you are unaware of what you have done, you are guilty and will be punished for your sin.”Proverbs 11:21Evil people will surely be punished, but the children of the godly will go free.Ecclesiastes 12:14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.Isaiah 13:11“I, the Lord, will punish the world for its evil and the wicked for their sin. I will crush the arrogance of the proud and humble the pride of the mighty.”Ezekiel 18:4“For all people are mine to judge—both parents and children alike. And this is my rule: The person who sins is the one who will die.”Malachi 4:1The Lord of Heaven’s Armies says, “The day of judgment is coming, burning like a furnace. On that day the arrogant and the wicked will be burned up like straw. They will be consumed—roots, branches, and all.”Sin brings God’s punishment because it is a violation of his laws and holiness. There are generational consequences for sin, and God makes it clear that he will hold us responsible for our sins.Numbers 32:23“But if you fail to keep your word, then you will have sinned against the Lord, and you may be sure that your sin will find you out.”Proverbs 5:22An evil man is held captive by his own sins; they are ropes that catch and hold him.Our sins always come back to haunt us. We always harvest what we plant. Sin always has negative consequences, both for us and those around us.Luke 23:41“We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man [Jesus] hasn’t done anything wrong.”Romans 2:9There will be trouble and calamity for everyone who keeps on doing what is evil.Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.Ephesians 2:1Once you were dead because of your disobedience and your many sins.2 Thessalonians 1:9They will be punished with eternal destruction, forever separated from the Lord and from his glorious power.Revelation 20:15Anyone whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.Death is the penalty for our sins—physical death, and eternal judgment by God. The only way of rescue is offered by God through Jesus Christ.

Question 3

Is everyone sinful?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 14:3No, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!Ecclesiastes 7:20Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.Isaiah 53:6All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. Yet the Lord laid on him the sins of us all.Romans 3:23Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.Romans 5:12When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.All people have sinned against God. The absolute holiness of God means there can be no judgment of degrees of sin. Our sinful condition makes it impossible for us to save ourselves.Psalm 51:5I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.Everyone is born with a sinful nature. It is a condition at birth, and not something that can be avoided with the right training. We are not sinners because we sin; we sin because we’re sinners.Genesis 6:5The Lord observed the extent of human wickedness on the earth, and he saw that everything they thought or imagined was consistently and totally evil.Psalm 19:12-14How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults. Keep your servant from deliberate sins! Don’t let them control me. Then I will be free of guilt and innocent of great sin. May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.Jeremiah 17:9“The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?”The human heart is far more sinful than we want to believe. God’s grace is evident in that he gradually reveals our sinfulness as we are ready, though he is fully aware of it all.

Question 4

How can I be free from sin’s guilt and power?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 19:12How can I know all the sins lurking in my heart? Cleanse me from these hidden faults.Psalm 51:2-3Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.Psalm 139:23-24Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life.We should begin by asking God to reveal sinful areas in our lives so we can confess them in repentance and have our hearts cleansed of sin.Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”Zechariah 13:1“On that day a fountain will be opened for the dynasty of David and for the people of Jerusalem, a fountain to cleanse them from all their sins and impurity.”Matthew 26:28“This is my blood, which confirms the covenant between God and his people. It is poured out as a sacrifice to forgive the sins of many.”2 Corinthians 5:21God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.Hebrews 9:14Just think how much more the blood of Christ will purify our consciences from sinful deeds so that we can worship the living God. For by the power of the eternal Spirit, Christ offered himself to God as a perfect sacrifice for our sins.God has made it possible for the stain of your sin to be removed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.Ezra 10:11“So now confess your sin to the Lord, the God of your ancestors, and do what he demands. Separate yourselves from the people of the land and from these pagan women.”Isaiah 1:16Wash yourselves and be clean! Get your sins out of my sight. Give up your evil ways.1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.Confessing our sins to God and turning away from them to obey God is the only way to be free from sin’s power and our guilt. When we confess our sins to God, he forgives us and forgets them, no longer holding them against us or bringing them up.Romans 6:6, 18We know that our old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. . . . Now you are free from your slavery to sin, and you have become slaves to righteous living.Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.Because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, those who have faith in him are free from the power of sin. This doesn’t mean we will no longer sin, but that sin’s power to enslave us has been defeated.

Question 5

Am I really a Christian if I still sin?

Accepted Answer

John 16:33“I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”Romans 7:20If I do what I don’t want to do, I am not really the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.We will always struggle with sin, but if we place our faith in Jesus, he guarantees our victory over it.1 John 3:4-9Everyone who sins is breaking God’s law, for all sin is contrary to the law of God. And you know that Jesus came to take away our sins, and there is no sin in him. Anyone who continues to live in him will not sin. But anyone who keeps on sinning does not know him or understand who he is. Dear children, don’t let anyone deceive you about this: When people do what is right, it shows that they are righteous, even as Christ is righteous. But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil. Those who have been born into God’s family do not make a practice of sinning, because God’s life is in them. So they can’t keep on sinning, because they are children of God.Although believers will still sin, by God’s grace we are not dominated by the practice of sin. True believers in Jesus no longer cling tenaciously to sin.Romans 8:5Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit.Sin loses its influence over us as we increasingly yield our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit of God living in us reduces our appetite for sin, and increases our hunger for God.Psalm 119:11, 126-141I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you. . . . Lord, it is time for you to act, for these evil people have violated your instructions. Truly, I love your commands more than gold, even the finest gold. Each of your commandments is right. That is why I hate every false way. Your laws are wonderful. No wonder I obey them! The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand. I pant with expectation, longing for your commands. Come and show me your mercy, as you do for all who love your name. Guide my steps by your word, so I will not be overcome by evil. Ransom me from the oppression of evil people; then I can obey your commandments. Look upon me with love; teach me your decrees. Rivers of tears gush from my eyes because people disobey your instructions. O Lord, you are righteous, and your regulations are fair. Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget your commandments.God’s Word leads us away from sin, for it contains words from our holy God who desires to guide us and protect us in this life.

Question 6

What can I do when I become aware of sin in my life?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 3:21Voices are heard high on the windswept mountains, the weeping and pleading of Israel’s people. For they have chosen crooked paths and have forgotten the Lord their God.2 Corinthians 7:8-11I am not sorry that I sent that severe letter to you, though I was sorry at first, for I know it was painful to you for a little while. Now I am glad I sent it, not because it hurt you, but because the pain caused you to repent and change your ways.James 4:7-10So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor.1 John 1:5-9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.Repentance and confession of sin brings the cleansing of forgiveness.

Question 7

Why is sin bad for us?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 29:18When people do not accept divine guidance, they run wild. But whoever obeys the law is joyful.John 16:13When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth.Acts 1:8“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you.”Romans 6:23The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.Ephesians 1:14The Spirit is God’s guarantee that he will give us the inheritance he promised and that he has purchased us to be his own people. He did this so we would praise and glorify him.Sin is bad for us. If we sin, we will suffer the natural consequences in our daily lives. Sin is also bad for us in that it robs us of a close “guided by the Holy Spirit” relationship with God. The Holy Spirit only guides us in ways that are good for us.

Question 8

What instructions does God give for handling our sinful passions?

Accepted Answer

Romans 7:5When we were controlled by our old nature, sinful desires were at work within us, and the law aroused these evil desires that produced a harvest of sinful deeds, resulting in death.Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.Titus 2:12We are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God.Titus 3:3Once we, too, were foolish and disobedient. We were misled and became slaves to many lusts and pleasures. Our lives were full of evil and envy, and we hated each other.God’s Word identifies sinful passions as part of the old way of life that has been replaced by our new life in Christ. The Bible tells us of the presence of these tendencies and instructs us to “nail” them to Jesus’ cross, recognizing that his suffering on the cross gained us forgiveness for these sins. Practically, we don’t always recognize these responses immediately, and discipleship is the extended process of allowing God to point out these passions so we can crucify them.

Question 9

How are sinful passions related to our other struggles with sin?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 13:22The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced.Romans 13:11-14This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.1 John 2:15-17Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.God’s Word tells us not to love or be committed to the world. We’ve got our hands full loving God and our neighbor. Loving the world only draws us away from focused attention to our Creator and those around us and into a set of values and pursuits that can destroy us. The world, the flesh, and the devil conspire to distract us from the things of God and from our actual good. As intense as these passions often seem, it helps to remember that they are passing away and will eventually be less than a memory.

Question 10

Is it sin if it doesn’t hurt anybody?

Accepted Answer

Joshua 7:1-25Israel violated the instructions about the things set apart for the Lord. A man named Achan had stolen some of these dedicated things, so the Lord was very angry with the Israelites.There is no such thing as a private sin. Sin always hurts someone—and usually the people closest to us.

Question 11

How do I know what is sin and what is not sin?

Accepted Answer

Romans 14:22-23You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing, but keep it between yourself and God. Blessed are those who don’t feel guilty for doing something they have decided is right. But if you have doubts about whether or not you should eat something, you are sinning if you go ahead and do it. For you are not following your convictions. If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.James 2:8-13Yes indeed, it is good when you obey the royal law as found in the Scriptures: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” But if you favor some people over others, you are committing a sin. You are guilty of breaking the law. For the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws. For the same God who said, “You must not commit adultery,” also said, “You must not murder.” So if you murder someone but do not commit adultery, you have still broken the law. So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.James 4:17Remember, it is sin to know what you ought to do and then not do it.The more we are aware of the instructions in God’s Word and the longer we allow God’s Spirit to affect our conscience and shape our convictions, the less we will wonder whether something is sin or not. Until that point, err on the side of caution. Sin always tries to look innocent in its presentation.Exodus 20:1-17Then God gave the people all these instructions: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt, the place of your slavery. “You must not have any other god but me. “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods. I lay the sins of the parents upon their children; the entire family is affected—even children in the third and fourth generations of those who reject me. But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name. “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you. For in six days the Lord made the heavens, the earth, the sea, and everything in them; but on the seventh day he rested. That is why the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and set it apart as holy. “Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you. “You must not murder. “You must not commit adultery. “You must not steal. “You must not testify falsely against your neighbor. “You must not covet your neighbor’s house. You must not covet your neighbor’s wife, male or female servant, ox or donkey, or anything else that belongs to your neighbor.”The Ten Commandments are God’s absolute moral and ethical standard.Ephesians 5:3-9Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.Our behavior is to exemplify the light of Christ that fills our hearts.Colossians 3:5-11So put to death the sinful, earthly things lurking within you. Have nothing to do with sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and evil desires. Don’t be greedy, for a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Because of these sins, the anger of God is coming. You used to do these things when your life was still part of this world. But now is the time to get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature and all its wicked deeds. Put on your new nature, and be renewed as you learn to know your Creator and become like him. In this new life, it doesn’t matter if you are a Jew or a Gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbaric, uncivilized, slave, or free. Christ is all that matters, and he lives in all of us.God calls us to rid our lives of the impurity, lust, and shameful desires of this world. We will only make progress with this task if we are depending on God’s help.