Facts about sin
Unintentional sins are still sins
Lev 4:2 “Say to the Israelites: `When anyone sins unintentionally and does what is forbidden in any of the LORD’s commands– (NIV)
Similarly, if we commit an offence against the law unintentionally, we are still held guilty by the law.
Failure to do what is right is sin
Jas 4:17 Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins. (NIV)
Failure to do God’s work
Haggai 1:2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: “These people say, `The time has not yet come for the LORD’s house to be built.'”
Although the people knew that they had to build God’s temple, they were more interested in building their own houses. God called them “these people” because they are so far from him.
God can bring good out of sin
Gn 45:48 4 Then Joseph said to his brothers, “Come close to me.” When they had done so, he said, “I am your brother Joseph, the one you sold into Egypt! 5 And now, do not be distressed and do not be angry with yourselves for selling me here, because it was to save lives that God sent me ahead of you. 6 For two years now there has been famine in the land, and for the next five years there will not be plowing and reaping. 7 But God sent me ahead of you to preserve for you a remnant on earth and to save your lives by a great deliverance. 8 “So then, it was not you who sent me here, but God. He made me father to Pharaoh, lord of his entire household and ruler of all Egypt. (NIV)
Although Joseph’s brothers wanted to get rid of him (Gen 37:2636), God’s plan was being fulfilled through their evil actions.
Ask God to point out our sins
It is difficult to overcome temptation if we are so blind to even see that it is a sin. That was what happened to David. He did not try to overcome his temptation because he was too blinded to even realize that he had committed sin. He had to be rebuked by the prophet Samuel before he repents.
It is difficult to see our own faults.
Lk 6:41 “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (NIV)
God points out our faults through the convicting power of the Holy Spirit as well as through His word.
Ask God to search our hearts for hidden sins that we may not be aware of.
Ps 139:2324 23 Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. 24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (NIV)
Colossians 1:9-10 For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. {10} And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,
Hebrews 4:12 For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.
Confess to God when we have sinned.
If we confess our sins, God will forgive us.
1 Jn 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (NIV)
Clarification: This verse does not refer to confessing our sins to avoid judgement. The bible teaches that Christians will not be condemned for their sins.
Jn 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. (NIV)
Instead the verse is talking about confessing our sins so that fellowship with God can be restored.
1 Jn 1:68 6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. (NIV)
Having fellowship with God doesn’t mean that we must be sinless. Notice God says that if we walk in the light (and therefore have fellowship with Him), the blood of Jesus purifies us from all sin. Therefore, we still have sin no matter what. John then says that if we think we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves. Walking in the light in order to have fellowship with God therefore does not refer to a state of sinlessness. It refers to a state when a Christian is continually trying to please God and confesses any known sin.
What happens when a Christian sins