Question:
What is exactly is a sin? Only something against the 10 commandments? or anything in the bible? or like also breaking our earthly "laws"?
What is sin? Simply answered, it is anything
that separates or damages your relationship with God or damages someone else’s
opportunity for a relationship with Him.
The dictionary definition of sin is:
1. A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate.
2. Theology.
a. Deliberate disobedience to the known will of God.
b. A condition of estrangement from God resulting from such disobedience.
3. Something regarded as being shameful, deplorable, or utterly wrong.
The Biblical definition of sin is:
1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness (uncontrolled, unrestrained)
1 John 5:17a All wrongdoing is sin,
Rom. 14:23b For whatsoever is
not of faith is sin.
Question? “How can I know if something is a sin?”
There are numerous issues that are not specifically mentioned in the Bible. When the Bible does not cover a certain subject, we have some general principles in His Word to guide us.
(1) When there is no specific Scriptural reference, it is good to ask, not whether a certain thing is wrong, but rather if it is definitely good. The Bible says, for example, to "redeem the time" (Col. 4:5). Our few days here on earth are so short and precious, in relation to eternity, that we ought never to waste time on selfish things, but to use it only on that "which is good, to the use of edifying" (Eph. 4:29).
(2) A good test is to determine whether we can honestly, in good conscience, ask God to bless and use the particular activity for His own good purposes. "Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God" (I Cor. 10:31). If there is room for doubt as to whether it pleases God, then it is best to give it up. "For whatsoever is not of faith is sin" (Rom. 14:23b).
(3) We need to remember that our bodies, as well as our souls, have been redeemed and belong to God. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's" (I Cor. 6:19,20). This great truth should have a real bearing on what we do and where we go with our bodies.
(4) We must evaluate our actions not only in relation to God but also in relation to their effect on our family, our friends, and other people in general. Even if a particular thing may not hurt us personally, if it harmfully influences or affects someone else, it is wrong. "It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor anything whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak... We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves" (Rom. 14:21; 15:1).
(5) Remember, finally, that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior, and nothing else can be allowed to take priority over our conformity to His will. No habit or recreation, or ambition can be allowed to have an undue control over our lives -- only Christ has that authority. "All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any" (I Cor. 6:12). "Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus" (Col. 3:17).”
Resource: Right from Wrong by Josh McDowell.
If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
John 3:6 No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him; he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
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