Our vocabulary needs to be God’s vocabulary, but it isn’t.  We have called drunkenness alcoholism.  A thief is a kleptomaniac.  Someone who wallows in thoughts about themselves is called manically depressed by psychology.  Obsessive Compulsive Disorder is a statement about what someone is doing, but not why they do it.  The same goes for Attention Deficit Disorder.  That isn’t a diagnoses of the problem; it is just a statement about what is happening.

The world imposes a system of thinking on you and I that demands we accept defeat.  It says, once an alcoholic, always an alcoholic and the highest you can hope to be is a “recovering alcoholic”.  No victory.  God’s vocabulary is a victorious one though.  There is a remedy for sin.  There is no remedy for a disorder or disease if you want to follow that worldly line of thinking.  So call it what God calls it and get the victory over it!

That said, there are seven times in the Bible God defines sin.  The devil likes to muddy the waters and introduce generalities into the picture, but God works with surgical precision to identify and remove impurities.  James says SIN = Lust + Opportunity (James 1:14-15).

Sin’s Attitude – PRIDE – Proverbs 21:4

We’ll begin with a rich man.  Diligent in his business.  Making preparations for his future.  He isn’t a scoundrel or a crook.  He isn’t a murderer.  And he is faithful to his wife and kids.  And God sets up this warning sign to define sin for the first time.  An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked, is sin. Proverbs 21:4  The wealthy man in Luke 12:20 is a tragic example.  What was the sin that would lead to death?  How did it become sin?  How does it lead to death?

The reprobate mind in Romans 1:21-32 is diagnosed as being a product of this attitude.  It also shows the Holy Spirit of God is a preservative.

Sin’s Thoughts – FOOLISHNESS – Proverbs 24:9

The thought of foolishness is sin. Proverbs 24:9.  Thoughts lead to actions.  Parents have a duty to be the main influence on their children.

Sin’s Decisions – FAITHLESS – Romans 14:23

Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.  Romans 14:23.  Faith is personal and faith is the basis for your relationship with God.  It will be impossible to teach your children to live a faithful life if your life lacks in faith.

Sin’s Preference – DARKNESS – James 4:17

Therefore, to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. James 4:17 

Sin’s Identity – OUTLAW – 1 John 3:4

For sin is the transgression of the law. 1 John 3:4 

Sin’s Direction – UNRIGHTEOUSNESS – 1 John 5:17

All unrighteousness is sin. 1 John 5:17

There are paths of righteousness according to Psalms 23:3, and there are paths of unrighteousness.

Sin’s Result – DEATH – 1 Corinthians 15:56

The sting of death is sin. 1 Corinthians 15:56