How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong?

QUESTION:

How do we determine if something is a sin or not? Is this where our conscience tells us it’s wrong? Will this work, because the reality is that most people are so used to sin, they won't feel conviction or don't have that Holy Spirit guiding them because they didn't really surrender.

ANSWER:

For the most part, you are correct. Sadly, many believers are ignorant of God’s will for them and remain ‘desensitized’ to sin. People today might come to salvation, but then they do not grow up in Christ. They remain babes in Christ, carnal Christians, not growing up sufficiently to become ‘re-sensitized’ about sin and have the Word influence them beyond their carnal desires.

Many grace believers have not been taught that they have a responsibility before God. God tells us to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling, Phil.2:12. For us to do this, we need to study the written Word and allow it to renew our minds, and through obedience, allow it to influence our behaviours. In the following passage, Paul provides the information that confirms this,

Eph.4:17 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the IGNORANCE that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling [conscience] have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. 20 BUT YE HAVE NOT SO LEARNED CHRIST; 21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: 22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; 23 And be RENEWED in the spirit of your MIND; 24 And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

“Vanity of the mind” means that people, —and yes, even believers, —are empty concerning the truth about Christ, which is the cause of their carnal behaviours. Their understanding is darkened, and they are ignorant of the transforming life of God that can empower them to live a life that is pleasing to Him.

Paul continues to confirm that, we have not learned Christ in this way. It is through learning the Bible, studying it, understanding it, and through obedience to it, allowing it to influence us, that we will be empowered to put off the old carnal man with his old desires and by being renewed in the knowledge of the Word, to put on the new man which can walk in an increasing measure of righteousness and godliness towards God.

So, in summary, we, as believers, will only change more into the image of Christ through our commitment to studying and absorbing the Word of God. It is the written Word of God that cuts out the desensitized numbness in us because it is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart, Heb.4:12. It is the written Word that washes us in the spirit, Eph.5:26, and renews our minds to truth, Rom.12:1-2. It is the written Word that instils in us the knowledge and desire for godliness, 1Tim.6:3, and becomes the foundation upon which God will perform His good works within us, Phil.2:13, forming Christ within us, Gal.3:27, Gal.4:19, and creating that identity of the ‘new man’ from the inside out.

When a believer gives himself over to obedience to the working of the Word in him, Rom.6:16; 2Cor.10:5, and becomes influenced in this manner by the Word, they will find that their bad habits simply disappear. They grow out of it into increasing godliness, naturally and without self-effort. Those who ignore the Word and try to beat old habits and the nature of sin by their own willpower, through laws and ordinances, will continually fail as it simply brings condemnation repeatedly, Rom.3:19-21, Rom.8:1-3. These are the believers who remain babes in faith, carnal, and caught up in the snares of the world, like the Corinthians. It is ONLY the written Word which can overcome sin when it starts to take root in the mind and heart, Col.2:7, and that will mortify sin in the flesh, Rom.8:13, and form the life of Christ in the inner man. Few believers get to experience this because they do not commit themselves to the Word of God, to study it, comprehend its truths, and applying it to their lives.

God bless.