Last time I pointed your attention to a simple definition of sin that my wife and I used to teach our children. But I didn’t give you the whole definition yet. Here is the complete answer to the question, What is sin?

“Any thought, word or deed that breaks God’s law by omission or commission.”

We looked last time at the deeds, words and thoughts. But in each of those areas we can sin in two different ways. We can sin by “commission,” which means that we “commit” a sin, we actively do the wrong thing. Or, we can sin by “omission,” which means that we “omit” doing the right thing.

Commission

If I do a wrong deed I have committed sin. The same is true with my words and thoughts. If I actively speak wrong words I sin. If I actively think wrong thoughts I sin. 1 John 3:4 says,

“Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.“

Sin is committing wrong - breaking God’s law.

Omission

But sin is also omitting to do the right thing. Look at James 4:17,

“Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.”

If I don’t do a deed that I should do, I sin. If I don’t say what I could and should say, I sin. And here is perhaps the worst part of our sinfulness and yet we don’t even recognize it - if I don’t think as I ought to think, I sin.

Yes indeed, we are sinners! We daily fail to do what is right, say what is right, and think what is right.

Next time I hope to look at how God has arranged for this existence of failure to be changed. But I just want to leave you right now with one question: Have you realized and acknowledged to God just how sinful you are?

The Scripture says, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) No one can stand before the Lord and say that their deeds, words and thoughts have been what God wanted them to be. No one. Admit it, and you will be in the right frame of mind to see and receive the answer to your situation.