What is the definition of sin?

[RDKirk]

I believe that is what he is saying. A wife should not love her husband either. We are not to love our neighbors, our job, city state or country, or our fur babies. We are not to love anything while we are living in the world. Although that breaks God's commandments.

And the problem with that concept is:

For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. - 1 John 4

I think the distinction that must be made is between loving "the world" which is the system of government and things established by Satan (who is the principality of "the world"), and the things made in the image of God who are of God.

Love is an action that requires practice. God has given us objects from Himself upon whom to practice love.

 

[RamiC]

Sin is anything that seperates a person from God. That is the definition I was taught, it has always worked for me in application, and seems to be a simplified version of what it says in the first box in the OP.

 

[RamiC]

According to him I can "just get over it".

This is not a very kind thing to say to someone with PTSD. My husband has it. A person cannot "just get over" biological changes to their physical brain and it's responses to stimuli, it is a conciousness impacting disability, not a simple choice.

Having said that, Jesus can and will assist in recovery, and in time with the right help life can become a healing (or even healed) process.

I am sorry you were spoken to that way.

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

There are a few definitions. Augustine defined sin as "a word, deed, or desire in opposition to the eternal law of God."

Sin has many classifications and degrees. [OrthodoxWiki'(Sin - OrthodoxWiki):


1 John 3:


Romans 14:


James 4:


All these definitions are fine, but how do we translate them into an operational definition of sin?

An operational definition of sin would focus on specific, observable behaviors that the Bible identifies as sinful. This definition would help translate the theological concept of sin into concrete terms that can guide everyday decisions and actions. The problem with this codification of sin is that it tends to be legalistic. The Pharisees had many detailed rules concerning the Sabbath. We don't want to be trapped in legalism.

Instead of focusing on external legal laws, Hebrews 10:


Jesus shifted the consideration of sin inward in Mt 5:


We have the Paraclete (legal advocate) dwelling in our hearts and minds. He tells us in our consciences whether we have sinned or not. The problem with this approach is that sin becomes subjective.

What is sin? How to deal with it?

The external approach to the definition of sin could become legalistic, while the internal conscience approach could become excessively subjective for new believers. I call for a balanced approach using both by letting the external teaching of Scripture inform and shape the conscience while allowing the indwelling Holy Spirit to apply those principles to specific situations.

In any case, while specific sins may vary, the fundamental nature of sin since Adam and Eve is rooted in human beings' rejection of God's authority and attempt to live independently of him. The remedy for sin is not found in the perfect definition or flawless self-diagnosis. It is found in repentance, faith in Christ, and the transforming power of the Holy Spirit/Paraclete to live a life pleasing to God. Focus more on Jesus and do not obsess with sin in order to grow in sanctification.

The goal is not an abstract, theoretical definition of sin, but a living, dynamic relationship with the Savior who frees us from sin's penalty and power. As we abide in Him and walk by the Spirit, we will naturally bear the fruit of righteousness (Galatians 5:16-25). Our sensitivity to sin will be sharpened, not by rigid legalism or vague subjectivism, but by an ever-deepening love for God and alignment with his holy character. We are progressively changed into His likeness (2 Corinthians 3:18).

From Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged...

D. The Linguistic Usage and History of hamartánō, hamártēma, and hamartía before and in the NT.​

1. hamartánō, meaning “not to hit,” “to miss,” occurs from Homer and is also used figuratively for “to fall short intellectually,” “to err,” or “to fall short morally,” “to do wrong.” In the LXX the moral sense is predominant.
2. hamártēma denotes the result of hamartánō, “fault,” first due to folly, later, especially in law, in the sense of “offense.” In the LXX it usually has a moral or religious sense, “sin,” or “punishment of sin.” It is rare in the NT.
3. hamartía, also used figuratively from the first, refers more to the nature of the act. It is a comprehensive term with intellectual and legal as well as ethical applications, and it can cover all wrong actions from simple errors to crimes. Aristotle defines it as missing virtue because of weakness, accident, or defective knowledge. Later, guilt is associated with it. In the LXX it is synonymous with hamártēma and carries the full sense of moral guilt and conscious opposition to God, expressing the Godward reference more clearly and fully than adikía or kakía. In the NT it stands for “offense against God with a stress on guilt” and is used a. for the individual act (e.g., Acts 2:38; 1 Tim. 5:22; Rev. 1:5; 1 Pet. 2:22; Heb. 1:3), often with the remission of sins in view (Mk. 2:5; Acts 7:60), in Paul usually only in quotations (e.g., Rom. 4:7–8, though cf. Rom. 7:5); b. for sin as human nature in its hostility to God (e.g., Jn. 9:41; 1 Jn. 3:5; 1 Cor. 15:17; Rom. 3:20; Heb. 4:15; and c. for personified sin (e.g., Rom. 5–7; Heb. 12:1. Behind the third use stands the idea of a demon “sin,” but what we have in the NT is probably poetic imagery. [G. STÄHLIN, I, 293–96]

Kittel, G., Friedrich, G., & Bromiley, G. W. (1985). In Theological Dictionary of the New Testament, Abridged in One Volume (p. 48). W.B. Eerdmans.

 

[tonychanyt]

D. The Linguistic Usage and History of hamartánō, hamártēma, and hamartía before and in the NT.

Check out An operational definition of sin for born-again Christians

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

Check out An operational definition of sin for born-again Christians

I didn't see an operational definition of sin in the OP. Just the concept that a Spirit-informed conscience tells a person what sin is.

 

[RDKirk]

Paul tells us in Romans it's when we obey any master other than God...and most often, that will be our flesh.

 

[tonychanyt]

I didn't see an operational definition of sin in the OP. Just the concept that a Spirit-informed conscience tells a person what sin is.

What is the concept of operational definition?

 

[RDKirk]

What is the concept of operational definition?

A definition that is useful on a day-to-day, decision-by-decision, action-by-action basis.

 

[linux.poet]

Sin is disobedience to Christ's authority in word, thought, deed, conduct, or practice. It is to fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23) and to despise the Lord's character, conduct, principle, and/or instruction.

The Lord's glory is a high standard of which we are all inadequate and all are short of due to our inheritance from Adam. We are in a state of sin because of Adam and so we live in it, improving through Holy Spirit guided obedience back toward the glory we have fallen short of.

@BikerBob

This is not a very kind thing to say to someone with PTSD. My husband has it. A person cannot "just get over" biological changes to their physical brain and it's responses to stimuli, it is a conciousness impacting disability, not a simple choice.

Having said that, Jesus can and will assist in recovery, and in time with the right help life can become a healing (or even healed) process.

I am sorry you were spoken to that way.

Indeed, as a PTSD sufferer myself, I support these words spoken here and echo it in my own grief and pain. I've been struggling against it for years, and while it does get much better with time and psychological and spiritual attention, it does not go away instantaneously. The Lord must save us not only from the sins that we have committed, but also, for the PTSD sufferer especially, from the sins committed against us.

We need kindness and grace, safety and time to heal. May the Lord protect and provide for your husband and Bob, and restore both minds.

 

[Aaron112]

The Lord must save us not only from the sins that we have committed, but also, for the PTSD sufferer especially, from the sins committed against us.

We need kindness and grace, safety and time to heal.

Is there anything Jesus refused to supply , or God refused to provide,
that when heeded, is helpful and/or useful for healing ?

 

[Aaron112]

Paul tells us in Romans it's when we obey any master other than God...and most often, that will be our flesh.

Does it look like people are acting like serving God, AND at the same time, serving other ?
Is that a worldwide phenomena or not so much ?

 

[linux.poet]

Is there anything Jesus refused to supply , or God refused to provide,
that when heeded, is helpful and/or useful for healing ?

No.

Does a broken arm heal in 1 day? Is a brain not a part of a fallen body?

 

[RamiC]

Is there anything Jesus refused to supply , or God refused to provide,
that when heeded, is helpful and/or useful for healing ?

Yes

"7 And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. 8 Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:7–9 - NKJV

 

[RDKirk]

Does it look like people are acting like serving God, AND at the same time, serving other ?
Is that a worldwide phenomena or not so much ?

I'm not sure of what you're asking.

 

[tonychanyt]

We need kindness and grace, safety and time to heal. May the Lord protect and provide for your husband and Bob, and restore both minds.

Amen!

 

[NewLifeInChristJesus]

What is the concept of operational definition?

Ok, you win. You are proposing that a Spirit-informed conscience provides an operational definition of sin.

I think this pov is one step removed from reality. It places our consciences between us and God. It says that to know right from wrong, we need only to look at our consciences. And It says when we do wrong, our consciences let us know. But that is not what I believe is actually happening.

What I believe is actually happening is that God personally convicts us when we sin. He doesn't speak to our consciences so that our consciences can speak to us. He speaks directly to us.

And our interraction with God is two ways. He teaches, leads, guides, directs, corrects, and comforts us from the depths of our own hearts and we react to all these things by receiving His counsel, trusting Him, and acting accordingly. We don't have intermediary agents between us and Him (e.g., our consciences) so that if we consult our consciences and act accordingly we by definition are following God.

I should have addressed this main issue instead of taking my original approach. Sorry.