What is sin? (Jesus Christ, morals, Creator, mission, atheist)

[Searcher of Light]

I divide sin into 3 different types of equal weight. Many of the types intersect each other depending on the action but not always.

1) sin against God
2) sin against self (1 Corinthians 6:18)
3) sin against others. (1 Corinthians 8:11-13)

There are times when the sinful action would intersect all 3, such as with adultery.

As for what the word "sin" means:

It is the willful, knowledgeable intent to behave or think in a fashion that violates ethicial and moral guides. Those guides can be set by God, oneself, society, or another person.

The hook in this idea is a person can sin against another without knowing. Most people acknowledge this "sin of ignorance" as a "lesser" sin, but most will point out the violation in time.

Knowledgeable sin, doing what a person knows is not right, is wicked because it violates a person's nature. Thus the conscience takes hold and blankets the mind with guilt. It is possible for a person to never sin against themselves if they have no conscience, but that does not negate the other 2 types of sin.

Will God hold us to our ignorant sins or knowledgeable sins? That is not for us to say. As the one doing to wronging against Him, we dont have any right to say how we can "make up" for our sinfulness. This would be identical to doing something wrong to a person and then walking up to them and stating: "I am going to do this or this for you. Afterward, you will like me again." How much more ridiculous would this idea be with God?

Forgiveness can never be demanded or earned; it can only be recieved.

[Mark1615]

Originally Posted by wmam

1Jo 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.

EXACTLY.

[Searcher of Light]

Another definition of sin:

sin is love.

That is, loving anything more than one loves God. It is a misplaced love.

[wmam]

Originally Posted by Searcher of Light

Another definition of sin:

sin is love.

That is, loving anything more than one loves God. It is a misplaced love.

Wouldn't that still be a transgression of the law?

[Ody]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

I would like to explore this question, particularly within a Christian framework and a preliminary step to another debate. What do you think sin actually is? What constitutes sin anyway?

Sin is a knowing act that is against both the natural law, an action that harms a fellow human for no reason, and an action that hurts yourself that you do knowingly...