1 JOHN 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Sin means violating the Law, crossing the line defined by God.
The English term "sin" comes from the Greek word "hamartia," which means to cross the line.
ROMANS 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Many actions are categorized as sinful by religious custom but not by the Bible. Depending on what they believe to be right, people create all types of rules. God, however, is the only one who has the authority to define sin.
MARK 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.
It's not necessarily sinful to act in a way that somebody else deems improper. Therefore, don't let people judge you for things the Bible does not define negatively.
COLOSSIANS 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
To believe that being tempted is sinful is another mistake. The act of being tempted is not sin.
HEBREWS 4:15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
It's an usual misunderstanding that having negative thoughts is sinful. Having negative ideas to tempt you is not a sin. It is only a sin when we choose to act on those ideas and take them as our own.
JAMES 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Sin is fatal, so God is against it. Sin does not bring about life and blessing, but rather mortality. God is opposed to anything that hurts humans because He loves them.
However, no person can avoid evil and be always well standing with God. We all need a Savior because we are sinful. We can only be in well standing with God through His mercy and forgiveness.
ROMANS 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
We can rejoice because Jesus came to rescue sinners and shed His blood to pay for the redemption of our sins.
EPHESIANS 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
SAY THIS: Only God can decide what sin is.
