Frequently Asked Bible Questions

What is sin? How does the Bible define it?

Sin is such an old, religious-sounding word. What does sin mean and why does God consider it so bad?

Sin isn't something most people talk about very much. Many churches don't talk much about it either. But the Bible tells us that everyone sins, and that every sin earns us the death penalty (Romans 3:23; 6:23). What is sin and why is it so bad?

Some think of sin as what we want to do but aren't allowed to do. But really it's what God says we shouldn't do because it will hurt us and others. God hates sin because it's like an evil disease that will ultimately make His children suffer and die. God is our Creator, and He knows what is good for us and what will bring harm.

You see, for eternity God has lived the give way of life—He is love. His way of life has been recorded in the Bible as God's law—a set of eternal principles that can help us see how to love the way He loves.

But sin is the opposite. It's lawlessness—breaking God's laws (1 John 3:4)—and it leads to death (Romans 6:23). Murder, sexual sin, stealing, lying, warping the way God wants to be worshipped—breaking any of God's laws destroys the connections of love He wants us to have with Him and each other.

Related Online Resources

How Does the Bible Define Sin?
In our struggle to avoid and overcome sin, it is vital that we understand exactly what it is. Let's see how the Bible defines sin.

How to Overcome Sin
You need to understand this vital biblical formula for overcoming sin.

What's So Bad About Sin?
Crime and "murder mysteries" may seem harmless on TV or in movies or books that are easily forgotten. It's different when it happens in real life—illustrating how painful and horrible sin really is. What's at the heart of the problem?

Repentance: A Profound Turnaround!
Previous articles in this series showed how we attain biblical understanding and spiritual growth through prayer, Bible study, meditation and fasting. What do we do then? This article shows how we must further use and apply that understanding!

What Is Repentance?
Most people have only a vague idea of what repentance means. What exactly does the Bible mean by repentance?

Contact Us

Don't see your Bible FAQ here? Ask our team of caring, dedicated ministers for a personal answer. (Please allow a week or so for an e-mail response.)