What is Sin?

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

We have been over this question in the past, but the same questions keep arising. One thing we hear people suggesting is that if one has an evil thought, it is sin. Where did they get such a notion is this? Where does Scripture state or imply that every thought with evil connotations is in fact sin? What we're looking for is Scriptural passages that would back up the above notions. Give us your scriptural definition of sin.

 

[The Biblicist]

We have been over this question in the past, but the same questions keep arising. One thing we hear people suggesting is that if one has an evil thought, it is sin. Where did they get such a notion is this? Where does Scripture state or imply that every thought with evil connotations is in fact sin? What we're looking for is Scriptural passages that would back up the above notions. Give us your scriptural definition of sin.

Mt. 15:18 But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

 

[Amy.G]

We have been over this question in the past, but the same questions keep arising. One thing we hear people suggesting is that if one has an evil thought, it is sin. Where did they get such a notion is this? Where does Scripture state or imply that every thought with evil connotations is in fact sin? What we're looking for is Scriptural passages that would back up the above notions. Give us your scriptural definition of sin.

Where did they get such a notion?? How about the bible??


Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Strongs - Heart

kardia kardia kar-dee'-ah
prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).


Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

 

[The Biblicist]

:thumbs:

Where did they get such a notion?? How about the bible??


Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.

Matthew 12:34 O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.

Matthew 15:19 For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Strongs - Heart

kardia kardia kar-dee'-ah
prolonged from a primary kar (Latin cor, "heart"); the heart, i.e. (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle:--(+ broken-)heart(-ed).


Matthew 9:4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts?

:applause::thumbs::applause: Great response! However, I rather doubt that HP will believe any amount of Biblical evidence that condemns his cherished philosophical positions. His theology is really based upon humanistic philosophy rather than any kind of exegetical basis in scripture.

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

HP asked: Where does Scripture state or imply that EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?

Reading comprehension is a skill. :thumbs:

 

[The Biblicist]

HP asked: Where does Scripture state or imply that EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?

Reading comprehension is a skill. :thumbs:

By definition an "evil thought" is a thought with evil connotations or else it is not "evil" because there are no evil "connotations" attached.

Perhaps the problem is in the term "thoughts"? In Matthew 15 the Greek term translated "thoughts" is dialogismos or "reasoning"

 

[The Biblicist]

By definition an "evil thought" is a thought with evil connotations or else it is not "evil" because there are no evil "connotations" attached.

Perhaps the problem is in the term "thoughts"? In Matthew 15 the Greek term translated "thoughts" is dialogismos or "reasoning"

The heart is the seat of intents and thoughts (Heb. 4:12). Evil thoughts are thoughts which originate with evil intentions or motives. Evil motives are motives that are contrary to the princples and precepts of the Law of God or to the righteousness of God.

 

[The Biblicist]

By definition an "evil thought" is a thought with evil connotations or else it is not "evil" because there are no evil "connotations" attached.

Perhaps the problem is in the term "thoughts"? In Matthew 15 the Greek term translated "thoughts" is dialogismos or "reasoning"

When a temptation to do evil is embraced by evil intentions (evil lusts/desires) sin is conceived as an "evil thought" which is further aggrevated by the additional volitional choice to activate that evil thought into evil actions. Hence, the will only serves to activate "evil thoughts" into evil actions. However, even if providence prohibits the external action it is still regarded as sin before God.

The unregenerated man's heart is rooted in evil self-grandizing motives so that it is not able to produce anything intrinsically good before God and hence "there is none good but one, and that is God" (Lk. 18:19).

 

[DaChaser1]

HP asked: Where does Scripture state or imply that EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?

Reading comprehension is a skill. :thumbs:

Sin is ANYTHING that is said and done that is NOT consistent with the nature of God!

 

[The Biblicist]

Sin is ANYTHING that is said and done that is NOT consistent with the nature of God!

BTW everything said and done inconsistent with the nature of God is a product of yeilding to evil temptations by evil motives which produce evil thoughts which are in turn produces an evil CHOICE to manifest them in evil words and evil actions.

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Let me ask the reader. When is sin conceived? Is it when the mind first receives a temptation from varied sources, is it 'sin' at the point of temptation, or is sin subsequent to the initial temptation or first 'thought s' of evil?


Remember, Jesus had to have had evil thoughts in order to be tempted, for any thought opposed to God is evil in a sense. He had to conceive in his mind the temptation via 'thoughts' to do evil, YET He did no sin.

Conclusion: All thoughts that might be classified as 'evil' cannot be sin in and of themselves.

 

[Amy.G]

HP asked: Where does Scripture state or imply that EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?

Reading comprehension is a skill. :thumbs:

:laugh:

Your own sentence proves the point.

"EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?"

How can a thought that is EVIL not be sin?

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

There are two senses in which evil can be perceived. Influences to do that which is contrary to God and love are evil in a sense, but are not sin in and of themselves. Sin is NOT conceived until the will acts in accordance to, or in lock step with, the temptation or evil thought.

Conclusion: One can have evil thoughts and sin, by yielding ones will in accordance to them, or one can have evil thoughts without sin, by resisting the temptation and refusing to will in accordance to them. All thoughts that can be considered as evil thoughts are NOT necessarily sin.

 

[The Biblicist]

Jas 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
Jas 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
Jas 1:16 Do not err, my beloved brethren.

Let me ask the reader. When is sin conceived? Is it when the mind first receives a temptation from varied sources, is it 'sin' at the point of temptation, or is sin subsequent to the initial temptation or first 'thought s' of evil?


Remember, Jesus had to have had evil thoughts in order to be tempted, for any thought opposed to God is evil in a sense. He had to conceive in his mind the temptation via 'thoughts' to do evil, YET He did no sin.

Conclusion: All thoughts that might be classified as 'evil' cannot be sin in and of themselves.

That depends on the person. Lost people have a heart that is void of any righteous motive to glorify God and therefore in regard to lost mankind "there is none good but one and that is God." Hence, all that they think and do is regarded as sin before God because nothing they think or do originates from a righteous motive.

Saved people have two natures. They have a new nature created in true holiness and righteousness that only has a motive to glorify God. They have a fallen nature which is never subject to the Law of God and neither indeed can be. If they are filled with the Spirit they will resist that temptation. If they are not filled with the Spirit they will be overpowered by the motives and thoughts arising from the fallen nature and thus the temptation to sin is joined with the evil motives and the product is evil thoughts which are sin. However, sin in the mind can be complicated by exercising the choice to actualize sinful thoughts into sinful words and deeds.

 

[Amy.G]

Conclusion: One can have evil thoughts and sin, by yielding ones will in accordance to them, or one can have evil thoughts without sin, by resisting the temptation and refusing to will in accordance to them. All thoughts that can be considered as evil thoughts are NOT necessarily sin.

So evil thoughts can be good? :BangHead:

 

[The Biblicist]

Conclusion: One can have evil thoughts and sin, by yielding ones will in accordance to them, or one can have evil thoughts without sin, by resisting the temptation and refusing to will in accordance to them. All thoughts that can be considered as evil thoughts are NOT necessarily sin.

One can have evil thoughts and not sin OUTWARDLY. But one cannot have evil thoughts and not sin INWARDLY.

Temptation to sin is not sin. The temptation to sin must be joined with evil motives/desires which produces "evil thoughts" which is sin. When this INTERNAL sin is then joined with VOLITION to carry out those thoughts the result is evil words and actions.

 

[Heavenly Pilgrim]

All evil thoughts are 'not good', but everything 'not good' is not sin.

 

[Amy.G]

Apparently HP is as pure as the driven snow on the inside. So pure that he doesn't even comprehend that an evil thought is evil.

 

[DHK]

HP asked: Where does Scripture state or imply that EVERY thought with evil connotations is in fact sin?

Reading comprehension is a skill. :thumbs:

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh:

(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Do you obey these commands--fully?

 

[Amy.G]

All evil thoughts are 'not good', but everything 'not good' is not sin.

There is only good and evil. There is no sort of good or sort of evil. Evil is by nature SIN.