What is Sin?

So, what is and what is not sinful? The Bible lists many things that are sinful in God's eyes. One such list is found in Galatians 5, where the apostle Paul identifies them as works of the flesh. Beginning with verse 19, he states, "Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told {you} in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God."

We should not consider such lists as exhaustive. Note that Paul ends his list with the phrase, "and the like". More important, I think, is the contention Paul makes that the works of the flesh (sins) are "evident". They are obvious. Anything that is in conflict with the nature of God and His will is sinful. His nature and will are revealed plainly in the Bible, and as such those things that are contrary to Him are plain as well. There is an objective standard. We can know the difference between right  and wrong. And after determining the difference, we ought to be careful to avoid all sin. Paul's question in 2 Corinthians 6:14, is a rhetorical one. He states, "Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?" 


Righteousness has NO fellowship with lawlessness, and claims of righteousness are legitimate only if we shirk sin.