Determining if something is a sin or not can be challenging at times. The Bible provides guidance on identifying sinful behaviors, though some issues require wisdom and discernment. Here are some biblical principles for evaluating if something is sinful:
1. Examine if it violates God’s commands
The Bible contains many direct commands from God on how we are to live. Disobeying God’s clear instructions is sin. For example, God commands us not to murder, steal, commit adultery, lie, covet, etc. (Exodus 20:1-17). If we engage in these behaviors, we are sinning.
“Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.” (1 John 3:4)
2. Evaluate if it aligns with Christlike character
As followers of Jesus, we are called to emulate His character and bear the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). When our actions, attitudes and desires conflict with Christlike moral excellence, it indicates sin.
“Whoever says ‘I know him’ but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected.” (1 John 2:4-5)
3. Consider if it leads you into temptation
Certain behaviors or decisions, even if permissible, may lead us into temptation and sin. The Bible warns about areas of potential moral compromise. If something consistently causes evil desires to swell up within you, it could be unwise and sinful.
“Flee from sexual immorality…Flee also youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” (2 Timothy 2:22)
4. Examine your motives and the fruit it produces
Why we do things matters. Even normally good behaviors can be sinful if performed with the wrong motives and attitudes. Likewise, sinful deeds often lead to bad fruit in our lives. As Jesus said, “You will recognize them by their fruits” (Matthew 7:16). Examining motives and outcomes reveals much about sin.
“For you may be sure of this, that everyone who is sexually immoral or impure…has no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.” (Ephesians 5:5-6)
5. Listen to the conviction of the Holy Spirit
God gives believers the Holy Spirit to convict them of sin and righteousness (John 16:8). If you feel uneasy about specific actions or decisions, pay attention to these pricks of conscience. They serve as warnings that you may be embracing sin.
“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.” (John 3:19)
6. Seek wisdom from godly people
The Bible encourages Christians to seek counsel from spiritually mature believers regarding right and wrong (Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22). Their insights can help identify sinful attitudes or behaviors you may be blind to or making excuses for.
“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)
7. Study examples and teachings in Scripture
There are many examples in the Bible of people falling into sin that serve as warnings for us. Likewise, Scripture contains much ethical and moral instruction relevant to our lives today. Studying and applying these teachings equips us to avoid sin.
“Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.” (1 Corinthians 10:11-12)
8. Bring it to God in prayer
Prayer is vital in examining our lives and making wise choices to avoid sin. We can ask God to search our hearts and reveal any offensive ways in us. Through prayerful Scripture study, the Holy Spirit will give insight and discernment.
“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!” (Lamentations 3:40)
9. Evaluate how it could impact others
Our actions do not merely affect us as individuals but have consequences for others as well. Even if an action seems morally neutral for us, we must consider how it could encourage others toward sin, compromise a fellow believer, or malign God’s reputation.
“Do not, for the sake of food, destroy the work of God. Everything is indeed clean, but it is wrong for anyone to make another stumble by what he eats. It is good not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that causes your brother to stumble.” (Romans 14:20-21)
10. Ask if it glorifies God
As Christians, our purpose is to live for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). We must ask if specific thoughts or deeds honor and please God or simply gratify our sinful nature. Proper motivation is key in avoiding sin.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” (1 Corinthians 10:31)
In summary, avoiding sin requires vigilance, wisdom, and an intimate walk with Christ. Thankfully, God provides all we need to pursue holiness and gives grace when we stumble. While no one is without sin on this side of eternity, these principles help believers honor God through lives of righteousness.
Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can reject ungodly behaviors and embrace Christlike virtues. “For the grace of God has appeared… training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age” (Titus 2:11-12).
Though we may falter at times, God patiently works within in us to conform us to His image. As we walk closely with Him through prayer, Scripture study and community, He lovingly sanctifies us and gives discernment to recognize and turn from sin. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6).
What defines sin at its core is that it goes against God’s holy nature and His perfect standards. “Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:2-5)
Thus, as we grow in understanding God’s righteousness and His great love shown to us in Christ, we gain power through the Spirit to combat sin. Our motivation shifts from mere rule-keeping to desiring to please the God we love and reflect His goodness. We must keep our eyes fixed on “Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
Sin grieves the heart of God, so we must vigilantly guard against it. But when we do fall short, we can come boldly to God’s throne of grace, confess our sins, and receive complete forgiveness and cleansing through Christ (1 John 1:9). God disciplines and restores us as His dearly loved children. “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous” (1 John 2:1).
We serve a merciful and faithful God who provides all we need to live uprightly through the power of His Spirit. As we walk closely with Him, He will give us discernment to know right from wrong, wisdom to make godly choices, and grace to follow Christ faithfully each step of the way.
“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)
While we cannot avoid sin completely in this life, we can grow in righteousness as we surrender more of our hearts to Christ’s lordship. God’s word promises, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
Through the power of His Spirit within us, we can overcome sinful habits that once seemed impossible to break. As we allow God’s truth and love to transform our inner being, ungodly desires lose their grip on us. Sin no longer holds the same appeal as we see it for the deceptive trap it is.
We live in a fallen world filled with much confusion and deception about morality. Thankfully, we have the sure anchor of Scripture to keep us from drifting into sin. The psalmist declared of God’s word, “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path” (Psalm 119:105). As we fill our minds with scriptural truth, we gain wisdom to navigate life’s complex decisions.
However, knowledge alone is not enough. We can know God’s commands thoroughly yet still choose disobedience when tempted. We also need God’s grace and strength to not merely understand righteousness but live it out. Paul described the ongoing battle within between our redeemed spirit and sinful flesh (Romans 7:14-25). Our natural tendencies pull us toward sin, but God’s Spirit empowers us to walk uprightly.
So we must not only fill our minds with biblical truth but actively depend on the Holy Spirit working within us. Paul exhorted, “Continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:12-13). As we submit to the Spirit’s leading and walk in obedience to Christ, we will bear good fruit that pleases our Father.
We can have confidence that God will complete His sanctifying work in us. Despite disappointments and setbacks along the way, He remains faithful. At times we may feel we are making little progress in overcoming sin. Yet as we remain in Christ, He keeps chiseling away all that does not reflect Him. Our responsibility is simply to yield ourselves to Him each day in dependent trust.
“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 1:6)
God in His kindness does not leave us on our own in the struggle against sin. Scripture reminds us we have an advocate and High Priest who understands our weaknesses – Jesus Christ, the Righteous One (1 John 2:1, Hebrews 4:15). When we do stumble, we can come to Him and receive mercy, grace and forgiveness to get back on the right path.
We also have the Holy Spirit living within us as our Helper and Counselor. He guides us to live righteously and convicts us when we embrace sin. “But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you. When he comes, he will convict the world of guilt in regard to sin and righteousness and judgment” (John 16:7-8).
Finally, we have the body of Christ, fellow believers who support and encourage us in pursuing holiness. “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed” (James 5:16). Together we spur one another on to reject sinful habits and walk in godliness.
With the Spirit’s empowerment, the saints’ fellowship, and Christ as our high priest, we have all the resources needed to live as Christ’s disciples. Though the struggle against sin remains lifelong, we can make steady progress as we rely on divine grace rather than self-effort. Our risen Lord reminds us in His promise, “Take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).