How do you know that you are sinning?
As believers we must strive to become more like Messiah (1 John 2:4-6 and 1 Peter 2:21), who was tempted in all ways like us, but without sin (Hebrews 4:15).
So if the goal is to become more like Messiah, believers need to continually turn away from the temptation of sin. But how do believers determine what is sin so they can turn away from it? To answer this question, let us look at the Word of Yahweh.
Before we can discern sin, we must believe we are sinners.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of Yahweh;
Psalm 14:2 Yahweh looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek Elohim. 3 They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.
1 John 1:8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Psalm 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, And in sin my mother conceived me. (NKJ)
And sin separates us from Yahweh.
Isaiah 59:2 But your iniquities have separated between you and your Elohim, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh is eternal life through YahwehShua Messiah our Sovereign.
Ezekiel 18:20 The soul that sinneth, it shall die.
If we believe that we are sinners and come short of the glory of Yahweh, then the next logical question is “What is sin”? Everyone has his own definition of sin and what is right and wrong. Are humans supposed to determine sin? Of course not! The Scriptures clearly defines sin if we just read the Word.
1 John 3:4 Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
Romans 3:20 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
Romans 5:12 Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: 13 (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is not imputed when there is no law.
Romans 7:7 What shall we say then? Is the law sin? Yahweh forbid. Nay, I had not known sin, but by the law: for I had not known lust, except the law had said, Thou shalt not covet.
So the basic definition of sin is breaking Yahweh’s law. And we know that the law is spiritual and is necessary until the new Heavens and Earth. Therefore the law has not been eliminated with Messiah’s death, burial, and resurrection as some believe. Yes, some parts of the law mainly pertaining to animal sacrifices, Levitical Priesthood, external circumcision, and civil law have changed, but this does not mean the law has been eliminated.
Romans 7:12 Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. 13 Was then that which is good made death unto me? Yahweh forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin.
Psalm 19:7 The law of Yahweh is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yahweh is sure, making wise the simple.
Matthew 5:17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil. 18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. 19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
So clearly the law will exist until the New Heavens and Earth and in order to identify sin, we must use Yahweh’s law. Since this article is focused on sin, not the Law, we will only touch on parts of the Law. Understanding every nuance of the Law in itself would be an exhaustive study.
Before we move on, let’s examine the word “sin”. The main Hebrew word in the Scriptures for “sin” is “chata/chattath” and in the Greek, “hamartano/hamartia”. The meaning of these words for sin revolve around two major concepts. The first is that of transgression. To transgress means “to go beyond a set boundary or limit” that Yahweh has set. The second concept is to “miss the mark or standard” set by Yahweh.
The Scriptures reveal the righteous boundaries and standards Yahweh sets for us. They show us what measures up and what falls short of those boundaries and standards. They reveal the spiritual principles by which Yahweh lives and how He expects us to live.
Psalm 119:105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.
John 17:17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of Elohim is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
2 Timothy 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Messiah YahwehShua. 16 All scripture is given by inspiration of Yahweh, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 That the man of Yahweh may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
An interesting observation is that the only Scriptures Timothy had were the Old Testament, which can make one wise unto salvation. Yahweh knew most would not understand the vital importance of the Old Testament, including the law.
2 Corinthians 3:14 But their minds were blinded: for until this day remaineth the same vail untaken away in the reading of the old testament; which vail is done away in Messiah. 15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the veil is upon their heart. 16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to Yahweh, the veil shall be taken away.
So what are some of the boundaries and standards He expects us to live by? We know that Yah’shua distilled the greatest commandments of the law and the prophets.
Matthew 22:35 Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying, 36 Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37 Yah’shua said unto him, Thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38 This is the first and great commandment. 39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
Mark 12:28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Yah’shua answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: 30 And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these.
Deuteronomy 6:4 Hear, O Israel: Yahweh our Elohim is one Yahweh: 5 And thou shalt love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:
Deuteronomy 30:6 And Yahweh thy Elohim will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Leviticus 19:18 Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am Yahweh.
1 Corinthians 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known. 13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
It is clear that the most basic standard by which Yahweh expects us to live is LOVE. Love Yahweh first, then love our neighbor as ourselves. Yahweh is trying to tell us that if we don’t want to sin, we have to start with love. All of the Law and of the Prophets culminates in love (Matthew 22:40). Why love? Because Yahweh is love! And if we are trying to become more like YahwehShua, we must have love.
1 John 4:7 Beloved, let us love one another: for love is of Yahweh; and every one that loveth is born of Yahweh, and knoweth Yahweh. 8 He that loveth not knoweth not Yahweh; for Yahweh is love.
And if we don’t have love, Paul clearly writes that we are just a bunch of noise….that we are nothing.
1 Corinthians 13:1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing. 4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, 5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; 6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; 7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
The problem with most people is they believe that love is an emotion and possibly go a step further in that love is connected with helping people in need. This is part of love, but not the full comprehension of Yahweh’s love.
1 John 5:3 For this is the love of Yahweh, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
2 John 1:5 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. 6 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it.
Deuteronomy 10:12 And now, Israel, what doth Yahweh thy Elohim require of thee, but to fear Yahweh thy Elohim, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve Yahweh thy Elohim with all thy heart and with all thy soul, 13 To keep the commandments of Yahweh, and his statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good?
1 John 2:4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of Yahweh perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
John 14:23 Yah’shua answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.
Ecclesiastes 12:13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear Elohim, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
So job number one is to love Yahweh by keeping His commandments (i.e. boundaries and standards). And if we don’t keep Yahweh’s commandments, we sin. Let me say it again, job number one is to love Yahweh by keeping his commandments. Why?
Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city (i.e. New Jerusalem).
Not only are we supposed to love Yahweh by keeping His commandments, we are also told to love our neighbor as ourselves. And we may ask, who is my neighbor? At a very basic level, it is anyone with whom we come in contact who has basic needs….food, water, shelter, clothing and medical attention.
Luke 10:30 And Yah’shua answering said, A certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, which stripped him of his raiment, and wounded him, and departed, leaving him half dead. 31 And by chance there came down a certain priest that way: and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. 32 And likewise a Levite, when he was at the place, came and looked on him, and passed by on the other side. 33 But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him. 35 And on the morrow when he departed, he took out two pence, and gave them to the host, and said unto him, Take care of him; and whatsoever thou spendest more, when I come again, I will repay thee. 36 Which now of these three, thinkest thou, was neighbour unto him that fell among the thieves? 37 And he said, He that shewed mercy on him. Then said Yah’shua unto him, Go, and do thou likewise.
Luke 19:19 There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: 20 And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, 21 And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. 22 And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; 23 And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. 25 But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented.
Not only are we to help non-believers, but it is very important to love the brethren! And if we don’t love the brethren, we are sinning.
1 John 4:20 If a man say, I love Yahweh, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love Yahweh whom he hath not seen? 21 And this commandment have we from him, That he who loveth Yahweh love his brother also. (also see 1 John 2:8-11)
1 John 3:14 We know that we have passed from death unto life, because we love the brethren. He that loveth not his brother abideth in death.
In Messiah’s eyes, anything we do or don’t do to the brethren, we do to Him!!!
Matthew 25:31 When the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his glory: 32 And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats: 33 And he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left. 34 Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world: 35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Sovereign, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me
And if we don’t take care of our neighbors including the brethren, but store up treasures on earth, then Yahweh will have the final judgment: “Vengeance is mine saith Yahweh.” (Romans 12:19)
Luke 12:16 And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17 And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18 And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19 And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20 But Yahweh said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21 So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward Elohim.
Mathew 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Did you know that loving our neighbors includes our enemies? So if we don’t love our enemies, we are sinning.
Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith Yahweh. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Luke 6:27 But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, 28 Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you.
And not only are we commanded to provide basic needs to our neighbors, including our enemies, we need to forgive those who sin against us.
Matthew 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Luke 7:47 Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
Lastly, we want to treat everyone as we would want to be treated (i.e. the golden rule). As the Scriptures state, “Whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the law and the prophets”.
Matthew 7:12 Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
Luke 6:31 And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.
Getting back to loving Yahweh by keeping his commandments, we see Yahweh’s commandments include the covenant Ten Commandments. Therefore, if we don’t keep Yahweh’s Ten Commandments we are sinning.
James 2:8 If ye fulfil the royal law (i.e. love as expressed in the Ten Commandments) according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well: 9 But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors. 10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
Matthew 18:18 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 (magnification of the law), murders (6th Commandment), adulteries (7th Commandment), fornications, thefts (8th Commandment), false witness (9th Commandment), blasphemies (1st and 3rd Commandments): 20 These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.
Matthew 19:16 And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? 17 And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, Yahweh: but if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments (i.e. Ten Commandments). 18 He saith unto him, Which? Yah’shua said, Thou shalt do no murder (6th Commandment), Thou shalt not commit adultery (7th Commandment), Thou shalt not steal (8th Commandment), Thou shalt not bear false witness (9th Commandment), 19 Honour thy father and thy mother (5th Commandment): and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself (5th-10th Commandment).
And Yahweh’s Commandments have been magnified!!!
1 John 3:15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.
Matthew 5:20 For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven. 21 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: 22 But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca, shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire
27 Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: 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.
Isaiah 42:21 Yahweh is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.
And not only has Yahweh’s commandments been magnified, Yahweh’s commandments through His law has been put into our hearts and minds. This is part of the New Covenant; the circumcision made without hands.
Jeremiah 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith Yahweh, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith Yahweh: 33 But this shall be the covenant (Exodus 34:28) that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.
Hebrews 10:16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith Yahweh, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
Deuteronomy 30:6 And Yahweh thy Elohim will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love Yahweh thy Elohim with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.
Romans 2:28 For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29 But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim.
Colossians 2:10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah:
Therefore, if we are circumcised of the heart and mind, it is no longer an external obedience to Yahweh’s law. We need to be careful of what we think and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of YahwehShua Messiah. Yes we will still be tempted to sin in our minds, but believers have a choice to either respond to that temptation by walking in the flesh or chose the way of the Spirit. The circumcision of the heart and mind enables the magnification of the law.
2 Corinthians 10:3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: 4 (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through Yahweh to the pulling down of strong holds;) 5 Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of Yahweh, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Messiah;
1 Peter 1:13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Yahweh Messiah; 14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance: 15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
We need to be sure that what we do is done in faith and confidence, that it is right and acceptable to Yahweh—or we should not do it. Why? Because Yahweh considers anything not done in faith to be a sin. This is also part of the magnification of the law.
Romans 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before Yahweh. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Our motives need to be right and our conscience clear in everything we do. Therefore it is vital that we are transformed by the renewing of our mind so it is in accordance with the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2). Our natural minds are not adept at discerning right from wrong.
We need to understand Yahweh’s magnification of the law includes the concept of omission. James tells us that if we know to do good, and we recognize that we ought to be doing certain things but neglect to do them, that failure is sin. We miss Yahweh’s standard.
James 4:17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
Another deep understanding of Yahweh’s magnification of the law includes the concept of replacing sin with good works. We just don’t stop doing the sin, but must replace it with good works. Because when there is a void, the carnal mind may want to fill the void with other sin.
Ephesians 4:28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.
Matthew 3:8 Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance (NKJ).
Matthew 12:43 When the unclean spirit is gone out of a man, he walketh through dry places, seeking rest, and findeth none. 44 Then he saith, I will return into my house from whence I came out; and when he is come, he findeth it empty, swept, and garnished. 45 Then goeth he, and taketh with himself seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter in and dwell there: and the last state of that man is worse than the first. Even so shall it be also unto this wicked generation. (Also see Luke 11:24-26)
Lastly, the magnification of the law states that all rebellion (i.e. not obeying Yahweh’s Word) is sin. Job number one of believers is to love Yahweh by keeping His commandments!
1 John 5:17 All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death.
Deuteronomy 9:7 Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst Yahweh thy Elohim to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place, ye have been rebellious against Yahweh.
1 Samuel 15:23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of Yahweh, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Proverbs 17:11 An evil man seeketh only rebellion: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.
If all this talk of sin has got you frustrated, realize that all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of Yahweh. Even the Apostle Paul struggled with sin and eloquently expressed the frustration we all have with our carnal nature which wants to sin.
Romans 7:14 For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. 15 For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. 16 If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. 17 Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. 19 For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do.
There is a war between the carnal mind (flesh) and the Spirit. And until corruption puts on incorruption (1 Corinthians 15:54, 1 John 3:9, and 1 Peter 1:23), we will have to consistently fight our fleshly desire to sin.
Galatians 5:16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
We have a daily choice to make: to walk by the Spirit or to walk by our carnal nature. We have been given free will to make a choice. The power to rule over our fleshly desires must come from Yahweh through His Spirit. Why does it matter that we walk by the Spirit and not by our flesh?
Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah YahwehShua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
Romans 8:5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. 6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against Yahweh: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither indeed can be.
Deuteronomy 30:15 See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; 16 In that I command thee this day to love Yahweh thy Elohim, to walk in his ways, and to keep his commandments and his statutes and his judgments, that thou mayest live and multiply: and Yahweh thy Elohim shall bless thee in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
Romans 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But Yahweh be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
James 1:14 But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
But praise to Yahweh that He sent His Son to die in our place for our sins and that through His blood we are cleansed from our iniquity.
1 John 2:1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, YahwehShua Messiah the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
Isaiah 53:5 But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. 6 All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Yahweh hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.
1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Yah’shua Messiah his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
Hebrews 13:11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp. 12 Wherefore Yah’shua also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of Yahweh is eternal life through YahwehShua Messiah our Sovereign.
And we can access that blood through repentance and baptism.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of YahwehShua Messiah for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Sovereign.
Hebrews 10:22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
We conclude that sin is greater than the transgression of the dos and don’ts of Yahweh’s law. Why? Because the law has been magnified under the New Covenant and believers have been circumcised of the heart and mind! All unrighteousness is sin and as believers we must focus on Yahweh’s righteousness through love.
We know that the Word of Yahweh shows us His righteousness and His love. It reveals the spiritual boundaries and standards set for us. The Scriptures show us what measures up and what falls short of those boundaries and standards. It reveals the spiritual principles by which He lives and how He expects us to live.
HalleluYah
(10/12c)