How Do I Know if it's Sin?

Gary Richmond, a former zoo keeper, had this to say:

Raccoons go through a glandular change at about 24 months. After that they often attack their owners. Since a 30-pound raccoon can be equal to a 100-pound dog in a scrap, I felt compelled to mention the change coming to a pet raccoon owned by a young friend of mine, Julie. She listened politely as I explained the coming danger. I'll never forget her answer. "It will be different for me. . ." And she smiled as she added, "Bandit wouldn't hurt me. He just wouldn't." Three months later Julie underwent plastic surgery for facial lacerations sustained when her adult raccoon attacked her for no apparent reason. Bandit was released into the wild. Sin, too, often comes dressed in an adorable guise, and as we play with it, how easy it is to say, "It will be different for me." The results are predictable. 

Gary Richmond, View From The Zoo

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines sin as "the voluntary departure of a moral agent from a known rule of rectitude or duty, prescribed by God. . . Sin comprehends not action only, but neglect of known duty, all evil thoughts purposes, words and desires, whatever is contrary to God's commands or law." But what if I'm not sure if it's sin?

For 9 years I taught Bible to 9th-12th graders in a California Christian School. I truly enjoyed my years there working with the faculty, staff, administration, and especially the teens. We had students from just about every type of “Christian” church under the sun (approximately 750 students representing over 100 churches). The challenge was balancing Biblical teaching (facts) with Biblical application (principles).

Many of the students were faithful churchgoers but some had little in the way of Bible knowledge. It was a sad truth, but it also made class fun to teach. I was able to teach Biblical facts that many had never learned while focusing on Biblical principles that they had never considered. We had great discussions and a lot of fun.

One day a young man asked me a simple question. “Mr. Max, how do I know when something is sin?” It turned into a two-day discussion. As I wrote and discussed one principle on the board, the Holy Spirit would remind me of another. We had a great time: a time of revelation, a time of discovery.

On the second day I gave each class a couple of different scenarios and asked them to apply the principles. #1 – Is it okay to drink a soda at a bar (tavern)? #2 – Is it okay to dance at a club? As a group they were to check one of three different answers for each question (pass, fail, don’t know) and then discuss the questions kindly and openly. The idea was to get them to think biblically so they might determine the “best” choice. Each class discussed each question openly and in detail, and each class independently came to the same conclusions as each of the other classes. They were amazed at, yet convinced of, their conclusions. Many came into the discussion thinking one thing and left the discussion knowing something else. They discovered exactly what I would have taught them.

I won’t take the time to discuss the details of our conversations or reveal the final conclusions. That would detract from the big picture. Perhaps you can use these principles for yourself or pass them on to another. These questions can also be a great help in discipleship and in the discussion of personal liberties. Teens and newer believers love the survey, because it brings real answers to an open heart. The questions are listed below. I have all of the teaching notes that go with the survey and will post them later. If you’d like to have a copy of the teaching notes  immediately, email that request to me at mrmax12345@cox.net. Read through the eyes of grace and enjoy. I pray that this simple exercise will be helpful.      
PM

How Do I Know If It Is Sin?

Pass     Fail      D.K.    

____    ____    ____    1. Does scripture specifically forbid it?


____    ____    ____    2. Does it put me in the pathway or presence of sin?
                                           (Psalm 1:1; Proverbs 4:14-15; Proverbs 14:12)

____    ____    ____    3. Does it have the appearance of evil?
                                           (I Thessalonians 5:22)

____    ____    ____    4. Does it hinder my relationship with God? (dominate my time, etc)
                                           (Psalm 1:2)

____    ____    ____    5. Does it aid in my spiritual growth?
                                           (Psalm 1:3; Colossians 2:6-8)

____    ____    ____    6. Does it adversely affect my body?
                                           (I Corinthians 6:19-20)

____    ____    ____    7. Does it affect or dominate my thinking?
                                           (II Corinthians 10:5)

____    ____    ____    8. Does it hinder or enhance my opportunity to witness?
                                           (II Corinthians 4:5-6)

____    ____    ____    9. Does it seem to be an activity for which Jesus would be known?
                                           (II Corinthians 6:16-18)

____    ____    ____  10. Does it reflect the Fruit of the Spirit?
                                            (Galatians 5:22-23)

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, 

as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: 

I Peter 5:8