What is Sin?

This seems like an easy question, yet for much of my life, no one really gave me a Biblical definition of the word. What is sin? Is it drinking, smoking, dressing inappropriately, fornication, bad language, bad thoughts, violence, theft? Growing up, I had a rather vague understanding of sin. I realized it was bad but couldn’t quite put my finger on anything concrete and Biblical.

But did you know the Scriptures give us a proper definition of sin?

“Everyone doing sin also does lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.” – 1 John 3:4

The Greek word that we translate as sin is hamartia (Strongs 266). Properly, it means to have no part of, loss of, or forfeiture, due to NOT HITTING THE MARK. We have probably heard that term of not hitting the mark. In 1 John 3:4, we learn that sin is LAWLESSNESS. The Greek word used here is anomia (Strongs 458). It means without law. And lawlessness means the utter disregard for the Father’s law (His written and living Word). Some translations use the phrase “transgression of the law” to describe sin.

Defining sin as the transgression of the law kind of makes one wonder why so many people out there are adamantly against the law.

I can’t begin to tell you how many times I have heard someone say, “We are not under the law,” or “We are in a new covenant of grace,” (see What is the New Covenant) or “That was for the Jews.” Most Christians won’t admit to being against the Father’s commandments, but in deed, they teach and act against it. Some like to break the law into parts, claiming to only follow the “moral” law, despite the Scriptures never making that distinction.

The Opposite of Sin?

To fully understand sin, you have to understand the opposite of sin.

Do you want to miss the mark? Or would you rather hit the mark? Have you heard of the word, “Torah?” The word, “Torah” is a Hebrew word (Strongs 8451) and it is defined as direction, instruction, or law. The word Torah is derived from the root word “Yarah,” which means to throw or shoot an arrow, and hit the mark!

Isn’t that amazing? To sin is to miss the mark. But to follow Torah is to hit the mark.

“Blessed are the perfect in the way, who walk in the Torah of Yahuah.” – Psalms 119:1

Read the entirety of Psalms 119. It is the longest chapter in the Bible. It is also the most extensive on Yah’s Torah. In your Bible, the word “Torah” might be translated as “law” or “word.” But the Hebrew word used is Torah. And unlike what modern Christianity says, it is not a bad word. It simply means instruction or teaching.

If your pastor tells you that the law is bondage, then read the following:

“I delight myself in Your laws; I do not forget Your word.” – Psalms 119:16

If a friend says that the law was done away with, then read the following:

“That I might guard Your Torah continually, forever and ever.” – Psalms 119:44

Or:

“Your righteousness is righteousness forever, and Your Torah is truth.” – Psalms 119:142

Would you like some New Testament verses that speak of this as well? Then let’s see what Paul has to say about the Torah:

“For I delight in the Torah of Elohim, according to the inward man.” – Romans 7:22

“So that the Torah truly is set-apart, and the command set-apart, and righteous, and good.” – Romans 7:12

“Do we then nullify the Torah through the belief? Let it not be! On the contrary, WE ESTABLISH THE TORAH.” – Romans 3:31

“For not the hearers of the Torah are righteous in the sight of Elohim, but the DOERS OF THE TORAH shall be declared right.” – Romans 2:13

And you thought that Paul was against the Torah? He is against misuse of the Torah. He is against those who claim to earn salvation through works instead of through Yahusha (Jesus) Messiah. He is against the added customs and traditions that the Jews of the day added to the faith. But he IS NOT against the Torah, which is the teaching and instruction of the Most High. Perhaps you misunderstood Paul?

Sin is Lawlessness

And lawlessness is the willful and continual breaking of Yahuah’s Torah.  Did you realize that the coming antichrist is called the “man of lawlessness?”

“Let no one deceive you in any way, because the falling away is to come first, and the man of lawlessness is to be revealed, the son of destruction.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:3

When the man of lawlessness appears on the scene, he will be welcomed by many.  This is because sin (and the acceptance of breaking the Torah) will increase.

“And because of the increase in lawlessness, the love of many shall become cold.” – Matthew 24:12

When you see the word “sin” in the Scriptures, replace it with its definition, “transgression of the Torah” or “violation of the law.” When you do, it helps you to understand that word better.

Don’t trample on the blood of Yahusha by counting it as common. He freed us from the death penalty of sin, not from our Father’s instructions. The instructions still apply. Either you miss the mark (sin), or you hit the mark (Torah). Following the Torah instructions means learning and guarding the commands of the Father. It applies to all of us who desire to imitate Him!

“Let us hear the conclusion of the entire matter: Fear Elohim and guard His commands, for this applies to all mankind!” – Ecclesiastes 12:13