What is Sin?

What is sin according to the Bible?

Sin, according to the Bible, represents a separation between us and God, caused by our moral or spiritual transgressions. From the beginning of creation, this issue has been key in our relationship with the Creator. The Scriptures teach that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), which means that none of us is free from this reality.

It's not just about wrong actions; sin is an internal condition that influences what we think, feel, and do, distancing us from God's plans. Understanding it well is crucial, as it defines why we need redemption and how Jesus is the only way to achieve it.

Sin as Rebellion Against God

Sin is not simply a list of wrong or forbidden actions. From a biblical perspective, sin is an active rebellion against God’s authority. Every time we disobey His commands, we are making a choice to act against His will and principles, which constitutes a direct rejection of His sovereignty.

Although disobedience may seem small or insignificant in our eyes, from God's perspective, every act of disobedience is an act of rebellion. This rebellion not only affects our external behavior, but arises from the heart, deeply impacting our relationship with God.

Sin as Transgression of God's Law

The Bible is clear in defining sin as a transgression of God’s law. In 1 John 3:4 we read, “Everyone who commits sin also transgresses the law; for sin is lawlessness.” Here, John points out that sin is, first and foremost, an act of disobedience against the standards God has set. It is a violation of the boundaries that God, in his wisdom and love, has set for our well-being and for the harmony of his creation. When we disobey, we break those boundaries and, in essence, declare ourselves independent of divine authority.

This concept of transgression brings us back to the moral nature of sin. It is not just a matter of doing something wrong in human eyes, but of violating the holiness and character of God. God’s law is not arbitrary; it reflects his holy and perfect character. When we sin, we reject that perfection and choose something less, which distorts the image of God that we are called to reflect.

The Origin of Rebellion: Adam and Eve

The first rebellion against God is found in the Genesis account, with Adam and Eve’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden. God had given them a clear command: not to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil (Genesis 2:16-17). However, upon hearing the voice of the serpent, they disobeyed, choosing to act against God’s will. This act was much more than eating a forbidden fruit; it was a conscious decision to rebel against God’s authority and to trust in their own judgment.

This rebellion had devastating consequences not only for Adam and Eve, but for all of humanity. Romans 5:12 says, “Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death spread to all men, because all sinned.” Choosing to rebel brought death and separation from God, not only for them, but for all of their descendants. Since then, every act of disobedience in humanity follows the same pattern of rebellion that began in Eden.

Sin as a Rejection of God's Sovereignty

Every time we sin, we are actively rejecting God’s sovereignty over our lives. Instead of submitting to His authority, we choose to follow our own inclinations, desires, or reasoning. This rejection of divine sovereignty is, in essence, a rebellion against the Creator. Isaiah 53:6 describes it well: “All we like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way.” This straying is a rejection of God’s direction, leading us to stray from His perfect will.

In many cases, disobedience doesn’t seem serious from a human perspective. It may be “small” lies, selfish attitudes, or moments when we choose not to follow a biblical principle. However, even these small acts represent a conscious choice to follow our will instead of God’s. James 4:17 says, “For to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin.” Rebellion is not only in what we do wrong, but in our refusal to do what we know is right.

The Gravity of Rebellion

Rebellion against God has profound consequences. First, it separates us from His presence. God’s holiness cannot coexist with sin. Isaiah 59:2 says, “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Sin acts as a barrier between us and God, preventing us from experiencing His fellowship, blessing, and guidance. This state of separation is one of the most serious consequences of rebellion, since we were created to live in constant communion with our Creator.

In addition to separating us from God, rebellion brings judgment. Romans 6:23 teaches us, “For the wages of sin is death.” This judgment refers not only to physical death, but also to spiritual death, an eternal separation from God. Every act of disobedience, however small it may seem to us, has an eternal consequence if there is no repentance.

Rebellion in the Heart: Thoughts, Words and Actions

Sin is not limited to our visible actions; rebellion against God begins in the heart. Jesus explained this in the Sermon on the Mount, when he taught that even thoughts and emotions such as hatred or lust can be considered serious sins. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to those long ago, ‘You shall not murder; and whoever murders will be subject to judgment. ’ But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment.” Here Jesus reveals that the root of sin is in our thoughts and attitudes, not just in our visible actions.

This principle also applies to our words. James 3:6 describes the tongue as “a fire, a world of iniquity,” pointing out that our words can be instruments of rebellion. When we speak in destructive or unjust ways, we are using the gift of language God has given us to rebel against Him.

Types of sin

Sins of Omission

We don’t always sin by what we do wrong; we also sin by what we fail to do. These are sins of omission. James 4:17 says, “Whoever knows what is right and doesn’t do it, commits sin.” We often sin by not taking advantage of opportunities to love, serve, or forgive. Jesus taught us that the greatest commandment is to love God with all our being and to love our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30-31).

When we fail to fulfill this commandment, we are sinning by omission. We often fail to forgive when we should, fail to give thanks when we need to, or fail to make the effort to live in peace.

Sins of Commission

Sins of commission are those that we commit directly, against God’s commandments. These can include anything from lying to idolatry or greed. In Galatians 5:19-21, Paul mentions the “works of the flesh,” such as immorality, idolatry, and jealousy, which are clear examples of how sin actively manifests itself in our lives.

These sins do not only harm us, but they also affect those around us. They are not limited to external acts; sin also manifests itself in intentions and thoughts that contradict God's will.

The Destructive Nature of Sin

Sin has a deeply destructive nature, both at the individual and societal level. At the personal level, sin hardens our hearts and draws us away from God. Hebrews 3:13 warns of the “deceitfulness of sin,” which can cause our consciences to become numb, leading us to constant rebellion.

On a social level, sin creates division, violence and chaos. The hatred, corruption and injustice we see in the world are clear manifestations of the impact of sin on our lives.

Jesus explained that sin does not reside only in our external actions, but also in the intentions of our hearts. Even hatred can be equated with murder (Matthew 5:21-22).

The Solution to Sin: Jesus Christ

Despite the devastating impact that sin has on our lives and our relationship with God, it does not have the final say. Since the beginning of humanity, sin has caused a separation between man and his Creator, but God, in his love and mercy, provided a definitive solution in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus as the Lamb of God

Jesus Christ is portrayed in Scripture as the “Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). This image of the lamb comes from Old Testament sacrificial practices, where priests offered unblemished animals to atone for the sins of the people.

These sacrifices, however, only temporarily covered sin, failing to completely remove it. Instead, Jesus, being perfect and sinless, offered a definitive sacrifice through his death on the cross, which not only covers sin, but completely removes it.

1 John 3:5 reinforces this truth: “And you know that He appeared to take away our sins, and in Him is no sin.” Jesus, being blameless, bore the sins of all humanity, offering His life as payment in our place. He did this not out of obligation, but out of love and obedience to the Father (John 10:17-18).

The Cross and the Resurrection: Victory over Sin

The cross is the central point in God’s solution to sin. By dying on the cross, Jesus bore the punishment that all of us deserve for our sins. Isaiah 53:5 prophesies, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement that brought us peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed.” As the perfect substitute, Jesus received in his body the judgment that we deserve, thereby removing the barrier that sin had placed between us and God.

But the cross was not the end. The resurrection of Jesus Christ is the demonstration that death and sin have been defeated. By rising from the dead, Jesus defeated the power of sin and death, giving us hope for eternal life.

Paul, in 1 Corinthians 15:55-57, celebrates this victory: “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory? (…) Thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Christ’s resurrection not only validates his sacrifice, but also assures us that sin and death do not have the last word.

Justification and Forgiveness Through Christ

Through Christ’s redemptive work, we are made righteous before God. Justification is a legal act in which God declares a person righteous, not on the basis of his or her own merits, but through faith in Jesus Christ. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” This justification means that our sins have been completely forgiven, and that we are seen by God as righteous, thanks to Jesus’ sacrifice.

The apostle Paul also makes it clear in Ephesians 1:7: “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.” This redemption is a gift of God’s grace, not something we can earn by our own human works or efforts. It is not about becoming better people on our own, but about trusting in the finished work of Christ on the cross.

The Power to Overcome Sin in Daily Life

While Jesus' sacrifice frees us from the penalty of sin, it also empowers us to overcome sin in our daily lives. Through His indwelling Holy Spirit, we receive the strength and guidance to live according to God's ways.

Romans 8:2 tells us, “For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.” This means that even though we continue to struggle against sin in this world, we are no longer enslaved by it. The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a victorious life, guided by God’s will and not by our sinful desires.

Furthermore, 1 Corinthians 10:13 promises us that God always provides a way out when we face temptation: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. But God is faithful; he will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also provide a way out, that you may be able to endure it.”

Reconciliation with God

Ultimately, Christ's work on the cross not only brings us forgiveness and justification, but it also restores our relationship with God. Through Jesus, we are reconciled to our Creator, and can enjoy a full and satisfying relationship with Him.

2 Corinthians 5:18-19 tells us, “And all this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ… God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, not counting men’s sins against them.” This reconciliation is the ultimate goal of Christ’s redemptive work: to restore us to an intimate and eternal relationship with God.

What we must remember

It is important that we understand what sin is and how it affects our lives. It is not simply a set of bad actions; it is an internal condition that affects our heart, our intentions, and our decisions.

By understanding the gravity of sin, we realize that we need a solution that goes beyond our own efforts.

That solution is Jesus Christ, who not only forgives us, but also gives us the power to live according to God’s will. By facing this truth, we find a new life in the freedom that only Christ offers, reconciling us with God and living according to His original purpose.