How do I know when something is a sin?

The bible clearly lists various things as sins and therefore it is easy to know that these things are morally wrong. Things like, idolatry, greed, covetousness, lying, gluttony, complaining, murder, bribery, stealing, gossip, jealousy, adultery, etc. These and many more are either a violation of God's moral laws or a violation of moral and ethical laws set out by an authority like a government or ruling entity. Violating these causes you to fall into sin and probably face some form of consequences.

But what about things that are not so obvious? Is smoking a sin? Is drinking a sin? What about anger, or not giving to the needy, or hurting someone's feelings? Do I sin if I choose not to go to church or if I want that extra piece of cake? What happens if I get a speeding ticket? Have I sinned in God's eyes for violating a law on the road? The list can go on and on, so the question remains, how do I know when something is a sin, especially if it is not as obvious, and not necessarily listed in the bible?

In the book of Romans, Paul provides us with the necessary insights to answer the question. In the church at Rome, there was a mix of Jews and Gentiles. Jews had problems with Gentiles eating meats that were sacrificed to idols. Gentiles could care less about it. On the other hand, Gentiles would feel that the laws that the Jews tried to enforce on them were too strict and limiting to the way they were used to living. All of this caused tension in the church and there were quarrels and disagreements between the members. The answer that Paul provided in his letter, to clear up the mess in Rome, is the same answer that you and I can use to determine if what we do or say is sin and can harm our personal relationship with God. Let's have a look at what amazing advice Paul provided.

Romans 14:2 For one [individual] believes he may eat all things, but he [another] who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats [meat] despise [look down on] him who does not eat [meat] and let not him who does not eat [meat] judge him who eats [meat]; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another [the Sabbath]; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind [in what he believes].

Paul states the conflicting cases, and then mentions that each opposing person does not answer to the other person, but to God. Who are we to judge each other when we are just as guilty, even though it be in other acts or deeds. The bottom line to Paul's answer is conviction. A simple, yet profound condition of the heart. The way that God judges us is by the conviction of our heart. By our conscience. The interesting thing about this is that our conscience is not necessarily on the same level as another person. What we might consider a sin, based on our conviction, does not constitute a sin in another person because they might not be convicted thereof. This is why we cannot judge each other on these issues of the heart.

Paul says, "Let each be fully convinced in his own mind." This is a profound statement, and it is this that answers our question. If I light up a cigarette (for example) and get a gnawing conviction in my heart that it's wrong, yet I continue to puff away, then I am sinning! To me it is sin because I am denying the morality of my heart, that warning flag of sin and wrongdoing. Because I continue to do this while my conviction is shouting out and sending up red flags, my conscience gets violated and sin gets activated. Does the bible say that smoking is a sin? No. Not directly. But the bible does tell us (by inspired words through Paul's writing) that doing something against your personal moral conviction is sin, (see v.23).

So, considering our aforementioned list of 'doubtful' sins, (smoking, drinking, anger bouts, not giving to a needy person, hurting someone's feelings, not wanting to go to church, desiring that extra piece of cake, getting a speeding ticket), it should now be easier to answer, based on your moral compass, based on your personal convictions acted out in that moment.

Let's continue with Paul's advice,

Romans 14:22 Do you have faith [believing that what you do or choose is right in your heart]? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts [what he approves] is condemned [and sins] if he eats [or does or says], because he does not eat [or do or say] from faith [but acts under condemnation, not being fully convinced in his heart]; for whatever is not from faith is sin. (Gal.2:20)

This part of the passage is jam-packed with information that we can use to judge our heart and determine where we stand regarding 'doubtful' sins. It starts by pointing out again that we cannot judge another in any regard. These are personal convictions that we cannot place upon others. This is why it says, "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God." Did you catch that? Have it to yourself before God! Your conviction is yours before God. You cannot place it on someone else! If you are convicted of smoking, then you cannot tell someone else that they are sinning because they are smoking! That person might not have been convicted in their heart about it. The Holy Spirit might be dealing with them about other issues that they perceive as sin, but smoking might not be one of them yet. We are all on a different part of the road to sanctification.

Paul reminds us again about conviction, albeit from a slightly different angle. He says, "happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves". If you are convicted of something and ignore that conviction, you will experience condemnation. You cannot control this. It is as sure and universal as gravity. Whatever you do or say, if your conviction approves of it, there is no condemnation, as there is no sin committed. If your conviction is triggered and you ignore those proverbial red flags, then you will fall into condemnation. You will experience a separation from your stance before God. You have fallen into sin. I'm pretty sure you are thinking of Romans 8 right now. Well, now you will understand in full what this verse means,

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

You will now understand what it means about condemnation, and (as a bonus) you will now also know what it means to walk in (or after) the Spirit. Walking in the Spirit is to walk in constant conviction of your heart, taking care to do what it is convicted of is right and avoiding or stopping the things that it is convicted of is wrong. It's as simple as that! Walking in the Spirit is not a profound spiritual experience. It is not a voice out of heaven. It's a matter of living based on faith in your personal convictions to the truth of the written Word in you. The more you exercise it, the more you will change into the image of Christ. In Him we live and move and have our being (Acts 17:28).

Paul ends Romans 14 with a confirmation that when you do not follow your convictions, when you do not walk in faith regarding your conscience, then for you, that is sin.

The bible does not need to list the endless actions that can be considered sin in God's eyes. As a matter of fact, it probably did not even have to list the 10 commandments, although at that time it was necessary, as the Jews in the wilderness did not have the Spirit of Christ within them. But for us in this day and age of grace, we can judge our actions by our inner convictions to the Word within us. This is our guide and moral compass before God.

Galatians 2:20 I am crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

The life I now live, I live by faith.........by faith. This means that I trust in the convictions that the Word produces and follow after the Spirit of Life who works in me, directing my path in those things to do, and those things not to do. May these insights of Paul provide you with revelation and understanding in how you are to walk today, as members of the Body of Christ, who are not dictated by external laws that bind up and choke, but are guided by life, and freedom, and love.