Topical Encyclopedia Sin, in the biblical context, is any action, thought, or attitude that falls short of God's perfect standard of holiness and righteousness. It is a transgression against the divine law and an affront to the character of God. The Bible consistently portrays sin as something that should be detested and rejected by believers, as it separates humanity from God and leads to spiritual death.Biblical Foundation The Bible provides numerous exhortations to hate sin and turn away from it. In Proverbs 8:13, the fear of the Lord is described as hating evil: "To fear the LORD is to hate evil; I hate arrogant pride, evil conduct, and perverse speech." This verse underscores the idea that a reverent relationship with God involves a deep-seated aversion to sin. The psalmist echoes this sentiment in Psalm 97:10, stating, "You who love the LORD, hate evil! He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them from the hand of the wicked." Here, love for God is intrinsically linked to a hatred of evil, suggesting that true devotion to God cannot coexist with a tolerance for sin. New Testament Perspective The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing the need for believers to reject sin. Romans 12:9 instructs, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This passage calls for an authentic love that naturally abhors evil, highlighting the moral dichotomy between good and evil that Christians are called to navigate. In Ephesians 5:11, Paul advises, "Have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them." This directive not only encourages believers to avoid sinful actions but also to actively oppose and expose them, reinforcing the notion that sin should be actively resisted and not merely passively avoided. The Example of Christ Jesus Christ, as the perfect embodiment of righteousness, provides the ultimate example of hating sin. His life and teachings consistently demonstrated a rejection of sin and a call to holiness. In John 8:11, after forgiving the woman caught in adultery, Jesus instructs her, "Go and sin no more." This command reflects His desire for individuals to turn away from sin and pursue a life of righteousness. Furthermore, Hebrews 1:9 speaks of Christ's love for righteousness and hatred of wickedness: "You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy." This verse highlights the divine approval and blessing that comes from a life characterized by a hatred of sin. Practical Implications For believers, hating sin involves a conscious effort to align one's life with God's standards. This includes confessing and repenting of personal sins, as well as striving to live in a manner that reflects God's holiness. 1 John 1:9 assures believers of forgiveness and cleansing from sin: "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Additionally, hating sin requires vigilance against the subtle influences of a sinful world. James 4:4 warns, "You adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever chooses to be a friend of the world renders himself an enemy of God." This admonition serves as a reminder that believers must guard their hearts and minds against the allure of worldly sin. In summary, the Bible consistently teaches that sin should be hated and rejected by those who seek to live in accordance with God's will. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, believers are called to pursue righteousness and holiness, reflecting the character of Christ in their lives. Torrey's Topical Textbook Psalm 97:10You that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserves the souls of his saints; he delivers them out of the hand of the wicked. Torrey's Topical Textbook Proverbs 8:13 Amos 5:15 Library Whether we Ought to Love Sinners Out of Charity? "True Love Teacheth us that we Should Hate Sin Only for Love. " " ... Hatred Without Cause The Godhood of God The Wages of Sin (Chapel Royal June, 1864) God's Glory in Hiding Sin Whether Contrition is the Greatest Possible Sorrow in the World? Whether Prudence of the Flesh is a Sin? The Feast of Tabernacles. Sovereignty and Human Responsibility Resources Questions about Sin (All) | GotQuestions.orgDoes the Bible teach mortal and venial sin? | GotQuestions.org How can I learn to hate my own 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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