Topical Encyclopedia Sin against knowledge refers to the deliberate act of disobedience or rebellion against God despite possessing an understanding or awareness of His will and commandments. This type of sin is particularly grievous because it involves a conscious decision to act contrary to what one knows to be true and right according to God's Word.Biblical Foundation The concept of sinning against knowledge is rooted in the biblical understanding that God has revealed Himself and His laws to humanity. Romans 1:18-20 states, "The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness. For what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from His workmanship, so that men are without excuse." This passage highlights that God's attributes and moral expectations are evident in creation, leaving humanity without excuse for ignorance. When individuals choose to ignore or reject this knowledge, they sin against the light they have received. Old Testament Examples In the Old Testament, the Israelites often sinned against knowledge by turning away from God's commandments despite having received the Law through Moses. Hosea 4:6 declares, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children." The Israelites' rejection of God's knowledge led to their downfall, illustrating the severe consequences of such sin. Their actions were not due to ignorance but a willful disregard for the divine instructions they had been given. New Testament Insights The New Testament further emphasizes the seriousness of sinning against knowledge. In James 4:17 , it is written, "Therefore, whoever knows the right thing to do, yet fails to do it, is guilty of sin." This verse underscores the responsibility of believers to act according to the knowledge they possess. Failing to do so constitutes sin. Hebrews 10:26-27 warns, "If we deliberately go on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no further sacrifice for sins remains, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume all adversaries." This passage highlights the grave danger of willful sin after receiving the truth, as it reflects a hardened heart and a rejection of Christ's sacrifice. The Role of Conscience The conscience plays a crucial role in sinning against knowledge. Romans 2:14-15 explains, "Indeed, when Gentiles, who do not have the law, do by nature what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law, since they show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, their consciences also bearing witness, and their thoughts either accusing or defending them." This passage indicates that even those without direct access to God's written law have an innate sense of right and wrong. When individuals act against their conscience, they sin against the knowledge inscribed on their hearts. Implications for Believers For believers, sinning against knowledge is particularly perilous because it involves a conscious rejection of the truth they have embraced. 2 Peter 2:20-21 warns, "If indeed they have escaped the corruption of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ only to be entangled and overcome by it again, their final condition is worse than it was at first. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness than to have known it and then to turn away from the holy commandment passed on to them." This warning serves as a sobering reminder of the accountability that comes with knowledge and the importance of living in accordance with the truth revealed through Jesus Christ. Nave's Topical Index Proverbs 26:11As a dog returns to his vomit, so a fool returns to his folly. Nave's Topical Index Luke 12:47,48 John 9:41 John 15:22 Romans 1:21,32 Romans 2:17-23 Hebrews 10:26 James 4:17 2 Peter 2:21,22 Library "My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ... The Testament of Gad Concerning Hatred. Against the Pelagians: Verse the Fifteenth Every Sin --Every False Doctrine is a "Gate of Hades. " "And if any Man Sin, we have an Advocate with the Father,", Community in Certain Points of Marcionite and Jewish Error ... Translation of Pamphilus' Defence of Origen. "My Little Children, These Things Write I unto You, that Ye Sin ... "And if Christ be in You, the Body is Dead Because Sin," Resources What does it mean to be a slave to sin? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the sin nature? | GotQuestions.org What is the worst sin? | GotQuestions.org Sin: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Sin in Believers is a Reproach to the Lord Sin is the Transgression of the Law Sin Money: General Scriptures Concerning Sin: Aggravated by Neglecting Advantages Sin: All Men are Conceived and Born In Sin: All the Imaginations of the Unrenewed Heart Are Sin: Blessings Withheld on Account of Sin: Christ Was Manifested to Take Away Sin: Christ's Blood Cleanses From Sin: Christ's Blood Redeems From Sin: Confusion of Face Belongs to Those Guilty of Sin: Consequences of, Entailed Upon Children Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Counted In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: Manna and Quail Given In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The Complaint for Bread In Sin: Desert of, a Wilderness Between Elim and Sinai: The People of Israel Journey Through Sin: Entered Into the World by Adam Sin: God Has Opened a Fountain For Sin: God is Provoked to Anger By Sin: God is Provoked to Jealousy By Sin: If we Say That we Have No, we Make God a Liar Sin: Ministers should Warn the Wicked to Forsake Sin: No Escape from the Consequences of Sin: No Man Can Cleanse Himself From Sin: Not Counted Against Righteous People Sin: Omission of What we Know to be Good Is Sin: Paul's Discussion of the Responsibility For Sin: Repugnant to Righteous People Sin: Saints: Abhor Themselves on Account of Sin: Saints: Ashamed of Having Committed Sin: Saints: Have Yet the Remains of, in Them Sin: Saints: Profess to Have Ceased From Sin: Scripture Concludes all Under Sin: Shall Find out the Wicked Sin: should be Avoided Even in Appearance Sin: should be Guarded Against Sin: should be Striven Against Sin: should be Wholly Destroyed Sin: Sometimes Open and Manifest Sin: Specially Strive Against Besetting Sin: The Abominable Thing That God Hates Sin: The Fear of God Restrains Sin: The Ground Was Cursed on Account of Sin: The Holy Spirit Convinces of Sin: The Law by Its Strictness Stirs Up Sin: The Law is the Strength of Sin: The Law is Transgressed by Every Sin: The Law: Curses Those Guilty of Sin: The Law: Gives Knowledge of Sin: The Law: Made to Restrain Sin: The Law: Shows Exceeding Sinfulness of Sin: The Thought of Foolishness Is Sin: The Wicked: Cannot Cease From Sin: The Wicked: Defy God in Committing Sin: The Wicked: Delight in Those Who Commit Sin: The Wicked: Encourage Themselves In Sin: The Wicked: Encouraged In, by Prosperity Sin: The Wicked: Expect Impunity In Sin: The Wicked: Guilty of, in Everything They Do Sin: The Wicked: Led by Despair to Continue In Sin: The Wicked: Make a Mock At Sin: The Wicked: Plead Necessity For Sin: The Wicked: Shall Bear the Shame of Sin: The Wicked: Tempt Others To Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on God Sin: The Wicked: Throw the Blame of, on Others Sin: The Wicked: Try to Conceal, from God Sin: The Word of God Keeps From Sin: Toil and Sorrow Originated In Sin: Unclassified Scriptures Relating To, Defining and Illustrating Sin: we should Pray to God: To Cleanse Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Deliver Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Forgive Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Keep Us From Sin: we should Pray to God: To Make Us Know Our Sin: we should Pray to God: To Search For, in Our Hearts Sin: Whatever is not of Faith Is Sin: when Finished Brings Forth Death Related Terms Sin-offering (115 Occurrences) |
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