Articles
Types of Sin
The Bible plainly teaches how serious sin is. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NKJV). Sin results in death or being separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The Bible also teaches all men have sinned (1 Kings 8:46; 2 Chronicles 6:36; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:9, 23; 1 John 1:8, 10). The Bible will describe sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4). In other words, sin is acting outside of the law of God. The Bible will also describe sin as unrighteousness (1 John 5:17). In other words, anytime we do something contrary to God’s standard of right conduct we have sinned. The Bible also teaches us all sin is ultimately against God (Genesis 39:9; Psalm 51:4). The Bible will provide us with lists of various sinful activities (Romans 1:28-32; 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; 2 Corinthians 12:20-21; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 5:3-5; Colossians 3:5-9; 1 Timothy 1:9-10). All of these lists and others throughout the Bible help us to determine what activities are good and what activities are evil (Hebrews 5:14).
In thinking about the topic of sin, it is important to think about there are perhaps different ways a person may end up doing something the Bible identifies as sinful. Here are some different “types” of sin in the manner in which a person may end up committing these particular sins.
- Leviticus 4:2, 13-14, 22-29; 5:15; and Numbers 15:22-29 speak about sinning unintentionally. A person may intend to do the right thing but actually be violating God’s law and thus sin without intending to sin. In such cases, a person needs to become aware of his sin, repent of it, and seek God’s forgiveness in the manner which He requires. An unintentional sin will condemn a person just as much as any other type of sin a person may commit.
- Leviticus 5:17 speaks about sinning without knowing one is sinning. A person may do something wrong, not know it is wrong, and yet still be guilty of sin. We often might call such sins sins of ignorance and yet they will condemn a person just like any other type of sin will.
- Numbers 15:30 and Psalm 19:13 speak about a person who sins not unintentionally or ignorantly but rather sins presumptuously. Here is a person who is apparently aware of what God’s law would teach but as the text says “despises the word of the Lord” (Numbers 15:31, NKJV). Some people know full well what they are doing is wrong and yet go ahead and do it anyway such people would be engaging in a presumptuous sort of sin. A presumptuous sin may be similar to the category of sins mentioned in Hebrews 10:26 where a person sins willfully. Here a person knows something is wrong and yet goes ahead and decides to do it anyway.
- 1 Timothy 5:24 mentions how some people’s sins are clearly evident and those of some men follow later. We may not be aware of every sin another person is committing at the present time and yet eventually such sins will be brought to light. If not before, they will come to light at the final judgment. We may be successful in hiding our sins from men for a period of time but remember we are not hiding them from God and they will not remain hidden forever.
- James 4:17 points out is possible to sin by failing to do what we know is the right thing to do. Not all sin is an act of commission but some sins are when we fail to do what God requires of us. Remember those in Matthew 25 who at the final judgment are condemned not because of what they did but because of what they failed to do.
One of the great blessings God extends to us is that even though we have sinned against Him He is willing to forgive our sins (Jeremiah 31:34; Romans 4:7-8; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; Hebrews 8:12; 10:17; 1 John 1:7). Have you had your sins forgiven by God? God expects the non-Christian to hear, believe, repent, confess, and be baptized in order to have his sins forgiven (Acts 2:37-38; 3:19; 10:43; 22:16; Romans 10:10). God expects Christians to lay aside sin (Hebrews 12:1), confess our sin (1 John 1:9), and pray for forgiveness (Acts 8:22).
