Defining Sin

As women who desire a closer relationship with our Heavenly Father, we must understand the meaning and nature of sin. We must learn what sin really is and call it by its true name. For instance, we must recognize that at times our "concern" is actually "worry." We know that, according to the Word of God, to worry is sin, but we tell ourselves that to be concerned is only compassion! When we fail to recognize and call sin by its true name, then we will not be alarmed by the evil of it.

David knew the severity of sin, and understood that his offenses were truly against God. When He looked at His sin through God's eyes, David began to hate it and he grieved over his actions. His only relief was to beg for his Heavenly Father's cleansing and forgiveness.

Psalm 51:

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight -- that You may be found just when You speak, and blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me. Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You.

Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth Your praise. For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart -- These, O God, You will not despise.

Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem. Then You shall be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls on Your alter.

In our Books
For the next two weeks, we will be reading and studying chapter four, "Lies Women Believe About Sin." Therefore, it is going to be very important that we define "sin." We will find that the Scriptures, God's Word of Truth, gives us the best definitions:

1 John 3:4
"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness."

1 John 5:17
"All unrighteousness is sin..."

James 4:17
"Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin."

May the Lord guide us this week as we face the reality of the sin in our lives. May we realize the seriousness of it. May the Lord give us the wisdom to see sin the way He sees it, and may He grant us mercy.

Love, Karen