Dear Daisy,
I need help understanding what is sin from God’s viewpoint. The line of what is sin and what isn’t has become so blurry these days, that it seems what was once considered evil is now acceptable. Does God allow humans to change the rules on what He said is sin? If so, wouldn’t that mean that everyone could decide if what they are doing is wrong in their own eyes? That thought is super scary! The current countless options and opinions about sin has reached the point that very few seem to want to be bothered with the subject anymore. It appears people have become desensitized to sin and evil while focusing on themselves, and the pastors we once trusted to teach us God’s truth seem to be distracted with their own struggles with sin. Will you help me find the truth on this subject? ~Signed, what is sin?
Dear, what is sin?
It’s true, in these last days, sin and evil have increased and very few care anymore. For those that are seeking God’s truth, let’s dig deeper and allow God to remind us of the hard-line He drew between good and evil.
Where to look for answers?
Are there different levels of sin? Can God see when we sin? Does He care if we tell a little white lie? Is a white lie a sin? Why do bad people get away with doing bad things? What does God say about people who seek forgiveness and repentance then go back to doing the same sins again?
So many great questions and the answers to all questions are already written for us in our Holy Bible that God our Creator breathed for us to live by (2Timothy 3:16-17). All we have to do is study it ourselves and stop relying on others to tell us what God’s Word says. And by that I mean, for those who grew up with parents that had them in church every week were taught to listen to everything the pastor and teachers taught. These same people who said five minutes in the Bible a day, or a quick five minute One Year Bible reading a day is all we need, who also discouraged us from reading the whole Bible. It’s no wonder that our world is in the condition it’s in today.
Time for TRUTH
Now, it’s time for truth, God’s truth! I highly encourage whole Holy Bible study for you. When I refer to “Holy Bible,” I am differentiating between God’s Holy Word that He breathed for us (the original King James Version), and all the other Bibles that have been re-written, changed and edited. Make sure you are studying God’s Holy Word that He breathed, not the others that truly alter God’s truth. Those who wrote those to deceive will be judged, and those who focus on them will be deceived about what God actually said.
”A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall perish.”
Proverbs 19:9
(See also Proverbs 19:5, Isaiah 9:15-17, Jeremiah 23:25-32, 28:15-17, 29:31-32, Ezekiel 13:22, 2Thessalonians 2:8-10, 1Timothy 4:1-2, 2Peter 2:1-3, Revelation 19:20, 22:15)
Note: Don’t be afraid you won’t be able to understand the King James Version (KJV). The Holy Spirit will help you understand it; He breathed this version for you to learn from. Consider this: why would our pastors and teachers encourage us to read other versions of the Bible and not bother with the “hard to read” KJV version? Personally, I allowed that lie to influence me for most of my life. When I chose to ignore the lie and follow the Holy Spirit to Genesis 1:1 in the KJV, my life was dramatically changed forever. Don’t take my word for it, ask the Holy Spirit.
Another problem: we’ve spent a lifetime reading books that others have written teaching us pieces of God’s Word, oftentimes in place of reading our Bible. Now it’s time to shut out the world, and open the Holy Bible in Genesis and study through to Revelation everyday and allow the Holy Spirit to teach you His truth; the whole truth, and nothing but the truth. The Holy Spirit is the only one you can trust to teach you God’s truth. He’s waiting on you to meet Him in His Word (1John 2:27, Jeremiah 33:3).
Digging deeper
According to scripture, any level of sin is considered sin in the eyes of the Lord.
“For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point,
he is guilty of all.”
James 2:10
(See also: Deuteronomy 27:26, Matthew 5:18-19, Galatians 3:10)
As you can see, James does not hold back; He tells it like it is. Also important to note here, while I provided you with supporting reference scriptures from First and Second Testaments, notice also that James, Jesus’ brother, is the one saying that above. Meaning, and further proof, that Jesus did NOT come to abolish God’s laws. Jesus and His disciples were upholding them and teaching the very same truth. You can see where Jesus said He did not come to abolish God’s law (commands) but to uphold it in Matthew 5:17-20, and then goes on to tell us what will happen to those who continue to follow God’s commands. Jesus was teaching from the First Testament of the Bible because the Second Testament didn’t exist at the time. He clearly states during His ministry that not one word will change, meaning, humans do NOT have permission to change God’s Word.
Additional information for your research: here are some key areas to answer the questions on sin. In Exodus chapter 20, God gives His commands that He created for our good as we wholeheartedly follow Him in all ways. Since Jesus died for our sins on the cross, we no longer have to live by the laws that were originally given and the ones added by man, but, God expects us to still live by His commands. God defines what is sin, and that will never change. He is not a human that He would change His mind (Malachi 3:6).
“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass,
one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.”
Matthew 5:18
“Heaven and earth shall pass away,
but my words shall not pass away.”
Matthew 24:35
“And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass,
than one tittle of the law to fail.”
Luke 16:17
“But the word of the Lord endureth for ever.
And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
1Peter 1:25
(Peter and the rest of the disciples were teaching God’s commands
from the First Testament that Jesus taught them.)
“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth:
but the word of our God shall stand for ever.”
Isaiah 40:8
Then in Deuteronomy chapter 28, God breaks it down and makes it very clear through His servant Moses what behaviors He will bless and what behaviors He will curse. Continually throughout God’s Word He says, do this “forever.”
There is nowhere in scripture that says humans are allowed to change God’s commands or His plan that was written in its entirety from beginning to the end of time before He created the world (Isaiah 46:9-11).
God’s Holy Word (unedited) stands forever!
God sent His son, Jesus our Messiah, Savior, and Redeemer, to die for all of our sins, and then describes sin for us so there would be no question (John 3:16-21). He tells us that sin and wickedness like to operate in darkness by those who choose not to come to His light. He also tells us that in the last days, their sins will be exposed in the light (Luke 12:2, Revelation 20:12).
Did you really think you were sinning in secret?
So now that we know sin is sin at any level in God’s eyes, let’s address “secret” sin – sins that many humans actually believe the lie that they are hiding them from God. Did you know that God is omniscient and omnipresent? That means He is able to be everywhere at the same time and He can see all things, whether they are in the light or in the dark (Jeremiah 1:5, Proverbs 15:3, Hebrews 4:13, 1John 3:20, Revelation 19:6).
He is the Almighty God; The Omnipotent One.
Remember when Eve ate the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3)? She assumed God didn’t see or know; she found out differently. Ever since that day, like Eve, and Adam, humans allow the enemy to lie to them and have chosen to believe they can hide their sins from God. Truth: God sees all and knows all and clearly states in scripture that your sins will come to light; they will not remain hidden (Luke 12:2).
Here’s a little proof:
“The wicked think,
“God isn’t watching us!
He has closed his eyes and won’t even see what we do!”
Psalms 10:11
“While you did all this,
I remained silent,
and you thought I didn’t care.
But now I will rebuke you,
listing all my charges against you.”
Psalms 50:21
“Thou hast set our iniquities before thee,
our secret sins in the light of thy countenance.”
Psalms 90:8
(More scripture proof for you later)
In 2024 alone, the sinful things that have been happening for centuries, God is bringing to the light for the world to see. An example: the actors and musicians that many have looked up to and been entertained by for years, God is exposing their “secret” lives and it’s quite disturbing.
Do you know what is worse than their disturbing secret sins God is revealing to us? To observe so many humans who think nothing of it and keep worshipping them and joining in their sin!
God shows us an example in 2Kings, how the people rebelled and thought they were sinning in secret where He couldn’t see. “The people of Isra’el secretly did things that were not right, according to Adonai their God. They built high places for themselves wherever they lived, from the watchtower to the fortified city.” 2Kings 17:9
They believed He couldn’t see their sin but at the same time they ceased to care if He did. They provoked the Lord to anger (2Kings 17:11), in contempt of his authority and defiance of his justice. God sees you and wants you to turn back to Him. He knows those who will turn and repent, and those who won’t. Those who willingly continue in their sin will suffer the curses He warned us about from the beginning in Deuteronomy 28.
Everything is upside down
In a world where the masses have chosen to no longer study God’s Holy Bible for themselves to learn His truth, they have set themselves on a collision course to spending eternity away from God.
Sadly, without knowing God’s truth firsthand, many have willfully chosen to feed their flesh instead. They are believing the lies of the enemy that doing what feels good to them is the only thing they should focus on, and thereby deceived that they can hide their sins from God. As a result, we now live in a world where good has become evil and evil has become good. A world gone mad where everything is upside down; BUT, God isn’t surprised, He warned us from the beginning that this would happen and warns us to NOT follow the desires of our flesh, but rather to follow His Holy Spirit instead. He is warning us ahead of time because He loves us.
“1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.“
“5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh;
but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.”
Romans 8:1,5
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit,
and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.”
Galatians 5:16
“20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil;
that put darkness for light, and light for darkness;
that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!
21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes,
and prudent in their own sight!” Isaiah 5:20-21
Do you now understand why it is so important to study the whole Holy Bible? God warned us about everything that will happen. He doesn’t want His wholehearted followers surprised, or anyone taking the credit for what He has done, is doing, and is going to do. He knew that people would try to take credit, and also try to give credit to their man-made gods for world events. Those who don’t know the truth of God’s Word, will quickly believe all the lies the enemy fills their mind with.
“Secret sins” – the myth
The masses still believe their sins are secret, and many of those now believe that their sin is no longer sin, but acceptable, and they aren’t trying to hide it anymore. There is now flagrant prideful acts that are in our faces everywhere we turn, while other dark hidden secret sins, God is exposing and judging. In both cases, God is in control of what is unfolding. Nothing happens without His knowledge and permission. One place we are taught this is in the story of Job.
On two different occasions (in Job chapters 1 & 2), Satan had to ask God for permission to challenge Job’s faith. Satan can’t do anything without God’s permission. This is also one of many opportunities for us to learn in the Holy Bible that God sees all; we cannot hide from Him.
“21 For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
22 There is no darkness, nor shadow of death,
where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.”
Job 34:21-22
Hiding from God – myth busted
Don’t take my word for it. God clearly states throughout His Holy Word that He sees all. Here is some additional proof that you cannot hide from God: (This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more scriptures in His Word.)
“7 Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it.
8 Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise?
9 He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see?
10 He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct?
he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know?
11 The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity.”
Psalms 94:7-11
“1 For the choir director: A psalm of David. O LORD,
you have examined my heart and know everything about me.
2 You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away.
3 You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do.
4 You know what I am going to say even before I say it, LORD.”
Psalms 139:1-4
“Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD,
and their works are in the dark, and they say,
Who seeth us? and who knoweth us?”
Isaiah 29:15
“Woe to the rebellious children, saith the LORD, that take counsel, but not of me;
and that cover with a covering, but not of my spirit, that they may add sin to sin”
Isaiah 30:1
“But I know thy abode, and thy going out, and thy coming in,
and thy rage against me.”
Isaiah 37:28
“Thy nakedness shall be uncovered, yea, thy shame shall be seen:
I will take vengeance, and I will not meet thee as a man.”
Isaiah 47:3
“10 For thou hast trusted in thy wickedness: thou hast said, None seeth me.
Thy wisdom and thy knowledge, it hath perverted thee; and thou hast said in thine heart,
I am, and none else beside me.
11 Therefore shall evil come upon thee; thou shalt not know from whence it riseth: and mischief shall fall upon thee; thou shalt not be able to put it off: and desolation shall come upon thee suddenly, which thou shalt not know.”
Isaiah 47:10-11
“I am watching them closely, and I see every sin.
They cannot hope to hide from me.”
Jeremiah 16:17
“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place?
Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the LORD.”
Jeremiah 23:24
“Then the LORD said to me,
“Son of man, have you seen what the leaders of Israel are doing with their idols in dark rooms? They are saying, ‘The LORD doesn’t see us; he has deserted our land!’”
Ezekiel 8:12
“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight:
but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.”
Hebrews 4:13
“I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne.
And the books were opened, including the Book of Life.
And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.”
Revelation 20:12
Allow this passage to steer you in the right direction:
“13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God, and keep his commandments:
for this is the whole duty of man.
14 For God shall bring every work into judgment,
with every secret thing,
whether it be good,
or whether it be evil.
Ecclesiastes 12:13-14
Tickling of the ears
Here is more evidence. According to scripture, there will come a day when God will judge all sin (Revelation 20). Until that appointed time by God happens (the time that is already written in His Holy Word), people continue to think that they are getting away with sinning against God.
These people don’t want to hear the truth of God’s Word anymore; they want their ears tickled with what feels good, and hear things that do not point out their sin as wrong. As evidenced by some people who go to church, call themselves Christians, while continuing to live a life of sin, and have convinced themselves that they are good people doing nothing wrong. God warned us in His Word that this would happen.
“1 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce,
despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof:
from such turn away.”
2Timothy 3:1-5
“He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just,
even they both are abomination to the LORD.”
Proverbs 17:15
Make sure this isn’t you, and run from those you know who are doing this.
Heart check
Let’s make sure your heart is right with the Lord so that it will be impossible for the enemy to lie to you any longer. Don’t complicate the process for salvation. Keep it simple. Whether you have prayed this before, rededicate your life today and go “all in” with Him. It’s time for a deeper relationship with your Creator, Adonai.
Do the ABC’s and repent today.
- A: Admit that you are a sinner. (Romans 3:23, Isaiah 64:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)
- B: Believe in your heart that Jesus is the son of God and that He died for your sins and rose from the dead for you. (John 3:16-18, 1Corinthians 15:1-4)
- C: Call on Jesus and repent of your sins and turn back to Him and ask Jesus to show you the way. (Romans 10:9-13, John 14:6)
In closing,
Always ask Jesus what you should do in every situation. The Holy Spirit will lead you and guide you. If it’s not okay with Him, He will check your spirit and you will have an uneasy feeling and doubt about going forward. Always follow Jesus; NOT your heart; our hearts are fickle and can’t be trusted. Listen to the Holy Spirit; He is trying to protect you. You have a choice to obey or ignore. Choose to obey and stay under His protection.
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick;
who can understand it?”
Jeremiah 17:9
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.“
Proverbs 3:5
“When you know you grow!”