Wednesday
07-15-2026
By: Brenda
“What is Sin”
This study was suggested by a young woman whom I love with all my heart.
God has big plans for this young lady.
In Scripture, sin is not merely the breaking of a rule.
It is the breaking of relationship. It is stepping outside the good and holy way God designed for us.
John writes plainly:
“Sin is the transgression of the law.”
(1 John 3:4)
But the Bible also teaches that sin is deeper than actions.
It begins in the heart, in motives, in desires, in the quiet places no one sees but God.
Are some sins “Bigger” than others?
In human society, yes.
In God’s holiness, no.
People tend to rank sins:
“This one is small.”
“That one is terrible.”
“This one does not matter much.”
But James gives us a sobering truth:
“Whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of all.” (James 2:10)
This does not mean all sins have the same earthly consequences. Some sins harm more people, destroy more lives, or carry heavier discipline.
But spiritually, all sin separates us from God. All sin reveals a heart that needs cleansing. And All sin shows our need for grace.
Jesus teaches that sin begins inside.
He said anger is the seed of murder, and lust is the seed of adultery.
(Matthew 5).
This shows us that God sees the root, not just the fruit.
Imagine a beautiful mirror. If you throw a stone at it even a small one, it shatters the whole thing. God’s law is like that mirror.
It reflects His character. His goodness, His purity, and His love.
When we break even one commandment, we have broken the unity of His holiness.
And we have stepped outside His perfect way.
This is why James says breaking one commandment makes us “guilty of all.”
Not because God is harsh, but because His holiness is whole, and not divided.
Here’s an example:
A mother gives her child ten cookies and says, “Do not eat any until after dinner.”
The child eats one cookie. Did the child break one rule? Yes. But did the child break the mother’s trust? Also yes. The issue is not the number of cookies the child ate. The issue is the heart of disobedience.
In the same way, sin is not measured by it’s size. It is measured by the heart that steps away from God’s instruction.
The Good News is Grace covers all our Sin.
Where sin is sin, grace is grace.
Paul writes:“Where sin increased, grace increased all the more.”
(Romans 5:20)
This means:
No sin is too small to ignore. No sin is too big for God to forgive. No sinner is beyond hope. And No heart is beyond restoration.
God does not rank sins, but He does restore hearts.
Sin is serious because God is holy.
But grace is greater because God is love.
May we all be awakened to a deeper reverence for God’s commandments.
May we all be awakened to a deeper gratitude for Christ’s sacrifice. May we all be awakened to a deeper desire to walk in obedience. And may we all be awakened to a deeper awareness that we all need mercy every day.
Oh, how God loves us ❤️
Dear Father in heaven,
I come before You with a humble heart, acknowledging that sin whether small in our eyes or great, separates us from Your perfect way.
Father, teach us to see sin as You see it, not to shame us, but to shape us into people who walk in Truth.
Thank You, Father, for the gift of grace that covers every failure, every misstep, every moment of our weaknesses.
Father, cleanse our hearts, renew our minds, and lead us in paths of righteousness.
Help us to obey not out of fear, but out of love for You.
May Your Spirit guide us daily, and may Your mercy restore us continually.
In Your Son’s precious name, Amen.
Have a blessed day
God loves you ❤️
and so do I ❤️