Sword and Shield

Heart Guide for Lesson 5:
Separation from Sin

1. Sin Defined
Since so much of our freedom and blessing depends upon recognizing sin in order to turn from it and avoid its consequences, the following biblical definitions of sin may be helpful. Keep in mind that God does not see you as your sin. You are not your sins! But we still need to recognize sin in us so that we can go to God for forgiveness and freedom from it.

The devising of folly is sin. Proverbs 24:9 ESV

For whatever does not proceed from faith is sin. Romans 14:23 ESV

So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin. James 4:17 ESV

All unrighteousness is sin. 1 John 5:17 WEB

2. Sin Described
It is also helpful to recognize sin by description: Sin is shown to be a blood-like stain ("scarlet"), a missing of the mark ("falling short"), a breach of the law ("transgression"), a crossing of rightful boundaries ("trespass"), a form of living death ("dead" to God), a torment of death (its "sting"), a bent or crooked way ("iniquity") and a form of self-will over God's will ("idolatry").

'Come now, let us reason together,' says the Lord: 'Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool." Isaiah 1:18 ESV

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23 ESV

Yet death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those whose sinning was not like the transgression of Adam,who was a type of the one who was to come. Romans 5:14 ESV

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins. Ephesians 2:1-2 ESV

The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians 15:56 ESV

"For rebellion is as the sin of divination, and presumption is as iniquity and idolatry. Because you have rejected the word of the Lord, he has also rejected you from being king." 1 Samuel 15:23 ESV

Return to Separation from Sin: Head to Heart Guide for more ways to go deeper into these truths or stay 'on course' by going to the...