Sin or Not Sin

an outline by Pastor Alan Brooks

 "Pastor, how can we say that a thing
 is SIN or NOT SIN if the particular thing
 isn't mentioned in the Bible?"

a. I'm sure you understand what I mean when I say ~ "There is a great change that happens when a person gets saved".

i. Something happens ETERNALLY (they are made a partaker of eternal life ~ they get into LIFE at the Cross)

ii. Something happens SPIRITUALLY (their sins are washed in the His blood, and their spirit is made alive)

iii. Something happens POSITIONALLY (where they were once "in sin" now they are placed "in Christ")

iv. Something happens INTERNALLY (the Holy Spirit of God moves inside to counsel, comfort, convict, control)

The song is true: "There's been a Great Change since I've been Born Again"

To that list of changes is one more:

v. Something happens VISUALLY (they begin to SEE things that never before were an issue to them).

b. The only way to comprehend this change is:

- it's like a blind person miraculously being given their sight (John 9:25)

The longer that you're saved (& listening to the Spirit of God):

- the clearer that those lines of distinction become.

- the more narrow-minded & bigoted you'll become

And the farther you walk with God, the longer that your personal LIST of Do's & Don'ts will become.

c. WHY is it so important to separate yourself from SIN?

i. Sin will Hinder your Communication with God (Ps.66:18; Isa.59:1-2)

"If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me"

ii. Sin will Halt your Joy (Heb.1:9)

"Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows."

iii. Sin will Handcuff God from Blessing your Home, your Family, your Job

(2 Chron.7:14; Jer.3:3) "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, & pray, & seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, & will forgive their sin, & will heal their land."

iv. Sin will Hurt your Spiritual Understanding (Prov.18:1)

"Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom."

d. As Christians (sensitive of the consequences of sin), we must prayerfully consider every opportunity that comes our way ~ is this thing I'm about to do SIN or NOT SIN!

Let me give you a recent list. Look closely, for some of these things are not mentioned BY NAME in the Scriptures.

- cigarettes - slot machines - shot glass of liquor

- slippery playing cards - soap operas - sleezy porno magazines

- Saturday night movies - singing that C/W - Acid Rock music

- stealing the tithe - short & slit skirts - selfishness

- sensual gestures - skin tight clothes -stiffened heart to preaching

- sassy tongue - sluggardness - superiority complexes

- swearing

Alright let me ask you

i. Are you going to find a verse on slippery playing cards anywhere in the Bible? No! (Does that mean it's okay?)

ii. Are you going to find a verse on soap operas / slot machines in the Bible? No! (If not there, is it then okay? No!)

iii. Are you going to find a verse on slit skirts / smoking in the Bible? No! (Well then is it therefore okay? No!)

Heb.5:13 tells of Baby Christians who are struggling with the very basics of their faith

Heb.5:14 tells of Mature Christians who "by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good & evil."

Let's exercise our senses this evening and consider HOW to determine IF a thing is Good or Evil Sin or NOT Sin:

[A] 1st, DOES THE BIBLE PLAINLY CALL THAT A SIN?

(Rom 3:20) "Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin."

a. Of course, the greatest LIST anywhere of SINS will be found in THE BIBLE. Paul wrote here that NO FLESH will be justified in the sight of God when "THE LAW" is brought in for the written LAW brings to light all sin!

Generally speaking, THE LAW is the Bible! The 1st stop in our investigation of a things is, "What does the Bible say?"

b. Let me show you a couple LISTS found in the Bible:

Romans 1:28-32; 1 Cor.5:11; 6:9-10, 18; Gal.5:19-21

You'd be amazed at the many things that the Bible calls a SIN

(1 Sam 12:23) "Moreover as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the LORD in ceasing to pray for you"

that's why the Devil is so anxious to remove the Bible from your life. that's also why Scholarship is so anxious to remove the authority of the KJV from your life (removing false witness from Rom.13:9 in NIV, changing corrupting to peddling in 2 Cor.2:17 in NIV)

c. Now when you get to studying some matters in the Bible you'll find clear and unclear verses. Don't interpret the clear in light of the unclear but interpret the unclear in the light of the clear.

#1. The matter of infant baptism ~ some will try to tell you that baptism of infants is right.

The unclear (whether infants were there) is Acts 16:15; 16:30-33 the clear is Acts 8:36-37

#2, The matter of wine ~ (new wine, old wine, grape juice) some will tell you that drinking a little is okay.

A careful reading of the Bible will show you that the word "wine" isn't solely speaking of fermented liquor ~ sometimes it speaks of grapes or freshly squeezed grape juice (see De. 11:14; 2 Ch. 31:5; Ne. 13:15; Pr. 3:10; Is. 16:10; 65:8). Alright, so when we wade into the Bible subject of wine ... we're not going to interpret the clear in the light of the unclear.

The unclear is John 2:1-11 & 1 Tim.5:23 (a little foggy as to whether these verses are speaking of intoxicating liquor or grapejuice, etc) the clear is Prov.20:1; 23:29-35 & Habakkuk 2:15. =20

The old-timer, Spirit-led preachers always used to say, "IF IN DOUBT, PLAY ON THE SAFE SIDE!" The safe side in this whole WINE issue is NOT ONE DROP OF LIQUOR ... and that's why the old-timer, Spirit-led preachers said, "Bible Christians don't drink ONE DROP of liquor!"

Is something SIN or NOT SIN?

[A] 1st, Does the Bible Plainly CALL that a Sin?

[B] 2nd, DOES THAT DEED CATEGORIZE YOU WITH SINNERS?

(Prov 1:10-15) "My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their path:"

a. For a number of years, Pastors preached against wire frame glasses & bell bottom pants. They did that because in the some areas, the flag-burning, campus-destroying hippies had that as their trademark! "Any resemblance that identifies you with a left-wing, anti-government, anti-God group is a SIN for God's people to do."

The problem came when those no longer were the identifiers of hippies, but had become common place with people

b. Whether you like it or not, the world is seeking to have a melting pot of ALL people (Prov.1:14).

But the Lord wants a difference between His people and the world (2 Cor.6:14-17).

(1 Thess.5:22) "Abstain from all appearance of evil." (Titus 2:14) "Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works."

c. Of course, some extremists will erroneously say here that "Then I'll stop eating, because after all, sinners eat." Listen, some deeds done are trademarks of ALL people (eating food, wearing boots in winter, buying food at McDonalds).

But some deeds done are trademarks of a PARTICULAR kind of people and when you/I do that deed, it identifies us either with the RIGHTEOUS crowd or the WICKED crowd!

Hey, truth is, this lost world often knows better what Christians DO and DON'T DO. Have you ever heard a lost person say, "You must be a Christian" OR "You're no Christian if you do THAT!" So, the 2^nd measure of a SIN is what crowd it categorizes you with.

i.e. - reading a Bible (classifies you with God's people),

- men with long hair (classifies you with the Beattles and with rebels),

- women in tight, mini-skirts (classifies you with prostitutes),

- spending your evening on a dim-lit dance floor (classifies you with the worldly crowd),

- a man/boy with an earring in his ear (classifies you with the queers or rebels or both),

- smoking & drinking (that is NOT a Christian classification ~ ask any lost person!)

d. Let me give you a corney example of how important it is NOT to identify yourself with the wrong crowd.

If someone in this church came to me tomorrow and said, "Preacher, I've got this sweatshirt for you to wear. It's a gift." So I hold up the sweatshirt, see it's the right size, nice color but across the back it says, "Gilmer & Franky". What would I do?

1st, I'd scan my mind to see if the Bible had anything to say about a man wearing sweatshirts (& that say G & F)?

2nd, I'd ask WHAT "Gilmer & Franky" means. Where did it start? Who's wearing it? Who's NOT wearing it! And IF I found out that it was advertising some beer joint, strip joint, rebellious rock group, etc NO WAY! Hey, just a minute, isn't it JUST a matter of me wearing a nice-looking sweatshirt? No, it's more than just a sweatshirt! It's my endorsement on something!

"Well Pastor, I don't see it that way I see it as just wearing a shirt!" God sees it as "casting in your lot with them."

e. The reason I'd never go into Club West (a local pub) to order a pop and sandwich is (altho there is no verse in the Bible about Club West) my going there would CATEGORIZE me w/ that nightclub, disco-ing, drinking crowd!

The reason that I would never work as a bartender or server or dishwasher for Club West (altho I'd never drink liquor myself) is because my going there would CATEGORIZE me w/ that nightclub, disco-ing, drinking crowd!

Now how about YOU? Although that little activity that you are involved in may not have a cut-and-dried scripture against it what crowd does it categorize you with? Christians or the Ungodly Crowd?

f. Included in this 2nd area is everything to do with your TESTIMONY. If a DEED hurts your ability to reach others for Christ (because they think LESS of you for doing that deed) ... then that deed is a SIN.

Is something SIN or NOT SIN?

[A] 1st, Does the Bible Plainly CALL that a Sin?

[B] 2nd, Does that Deed CATEGORIZE you with Sinners?

[C] 3rd, DOES THAT PUT YOU ON THE COURSE THAT LEADS TO SINNING?

(Prov 14:12) "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death"

a. Is there anything wrong with having shirt pockets? No!

Is there anything technically wrong w/ putting a package of cigarettes in that pocket, & a lighter in there too? No!

But a person that puts a pack of cigarettes in their pocket is likely to what? Smoke! (starting down a dangerous path)

b. If it puts you on the wrong pathway it's SIN!

(Prov.4:14-15) "Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in THE WAY of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away."

(James 1:14-16) "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren."

(Can you see here that sin has a PATH and sin has a WAY? Stay off them!

Not only is it a SIN to do that thing ... but it is a SIN to step on that path/way leading there!)

c. When Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount, he remind the congregation that not only was the END OF THE ROAD deed a SIN, but the journey to that END was also a SIN (see this in Matt.5:27-28, 21-22)

Is something SIN or NOT SIN?

[A] 1st, Does the Bible Plainly CALL that a Sin?

[B] 2nd, Does that Deed CATEGORIZE you with Sinners?

[C] 3rd, Does that Put you on the COURSE that Leads to Sinning?

[D] 4th, DOES IT HINDER YOUR COMMUNING WITH THE SAVIOUR?

(Gen 3:9-10) "And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where art thou? 10 And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself."

a. This is a very familiar passage Adam & Eve in the Garden.

Every day Adam & Eve spent some time "communing" with the Lord. It was the highpoint of their day.

But this day Adam didn't show up. Why? SIN

Their particular sin was eating the forbidden fruit.

The practical application here for us is anything that hinders our communing with God is also a SIN.

b. How could a particular occupation be a sin? (or a particular hobby or sport be a sin? or a particular friend be a sin?) IF that occupation/hobby/friend keeps you from your time w/ God, with God's word, with God's house it's a SIN!

The devil has messed up many a Christian with A GOOD thing but that GOOD thing hurts that Christian spiritually.

i. It may be a job re-location (that moves you away from a Church for family, & a Christian School for your children).

ii. It may be a friend (who steals you from your Heavenly Friend).

iii. It may be a traveling job (but one that keeps the Christian from being regular to his own church & serving in it)

iv. It may be a prospering business (that demands you put in more hours, and sacrifice your family & your God!)

"Well Preacher, somebody has to work those jobs!" Then let the lost people work those jobs!

Those things aren't more important than your walk with God! (Matt.6:33).

c. You watch a Christian SLOW DOWN on God, love God less, and excuse their mediocre Christianity more and whatever caused that SLOW DOWN on God is a SIN!

Is something SIN or NOT SIN?

[A] 1st, Does the Bible Plainly CALL that a Sin?

[B] 2nd, Does that Deed CATEGORIZE you with Sinners?

[C] 3rd, Does that Put you on the COURSE that Leads to Sinning?

[D] 4th, Does it Hinder your COMMUNING with the Saviour?

[E] 5th, DOES IT HAMPER YOUR CALLING FOR THE SAVIOUR?

(Gal 5:7-9) "Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? 8 This persuasion cometh not of him that calleth you. 9 A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump."

a. In the Bible, leaven is always a picture of what? SIN

In this passage, the context of this SIN is a person ~ a person that keeps a Christian from running his RACE for God.

Paul was telling the Galatian believers that God had a great plan for each of their lives but someone stopped that plan! Whatever stopped them from doing God's plan for their life is SIN!

b. Many Christians never figure this out but the goal if your life is to magnify Jesus Christ (personally, ministerially). Paul penned that in Phil 1:21 "For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain."

Anything or any person that hampers you from reaching that GOAL in your life is a SIN!

c. Two Bible examples of Christians who were hampered are:

#1 John Mark

(Acts 13:13) "Now when Paul and his company loosed from Paphos, they came to Perga in Pamphylia: and John departing from them returned to Jerusalem."

John Mark said, "I'm through!" What did it? A SIN of some kind!

#2 Demas

(2 Tim.4:10) "For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica"

Demas did more than just forsake Paul he forsook God's plan for his life. Why? Some SIN!

d. Ah, but look at the encouraging note to close with here is while there is still breath in your body you can get victory over that SIN and get God's help to turn your life back around and serve Him!

Although both Demas & John could have found that victory over their sin only one sought it and did (John Mark)!

(2 Tim 4:11b) "Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry."

e. Is there some SIN in your life today? Why not get the victory over it today?

Back to the original question:

"Pastor, how can we say that a thing is SIN or NOT SIN if the particular thing isn't mentioned in the Bible?"

[A] 1st, Does the Bible Plainly CALL that a Sin?

[B] 2nd, Does that Deed CATEGORIZE you with Sinners?

[C] 3rd, Does that Put you on the COURSE that Leads to Sinning?

[D] 4th, Does it Hinder your COMMUNING with the Saviour?

[E] 5th, Does it Hamper your CALLING for the Saviour?