What is sin and why should you even care if you're sinning?
- Thad DeBuhr
- Aug 13
- 12 min read
Let's be honest. Life can be a real mess sometimes, can't it? Maybe you're staring at a strained marriage that feels more like a cold war than a partnership. Perhaps family gatherings are minefields of unspoken resentment and old hurts. Or maybe you just feel this gnawing loneliness, a disconnect from the people around you, even when you're in a crowded room.
You're not alone. So many of us are navigating these rocky relational waters, constantly trying to patch things up. We go to therapy, read self-help books, and try new communication techniques. It's like putting band-aids on a deep wound that keeps getting infected. We focus on the symptoms—the arguments, the misunderstandings, the hurt feelings—desperately trying to find a quick fix.
Think about how often modern medicine works. You go to the doctor with a headache, and they might give you a pill. But what if the headache is a symptom of dehydration, stress, or something more serious? The pill might temporarily mask the pain, but it doesn't address the root cause. It's the same with our relationships and our inner turmoil. We treat the surface issues without ever really diagnosing what's going on underneath.
Sound familiar? If you're tired of just managing the chaos, of feeling like you're constantly putting out fires in your relationships and your own heart, then it's time to stop treating the symptoms and start digging into the root of the problem. It's time to talk about something you might not hear much about in everyday conversation, but something the Bible pinpoints as the core issue: sin.
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What is Sin? The Relationship Killer
We often say, in a way that makes it sound a little too gentle, that "sin separates us from God." While that's fundamentally true, it doesn't communicate the real weight and seriousness of the issue. Sin isn't just a mistake or a personality quirk; it's a relationship killer. It actively destroys the very things Jesus said were the most important to God: loving Him with everything you have, and loving other people as much as you love yourself (Matthew 22:36-40).
The problem is, our human nature is inclined to downplay our own sin, to justify it and make it sound not so bad. We call greed "ambition," anger "righteous indignation," and envy "being competitive." But the Bible gives us a more serious diagnosis. These behaviors, actions, things we say, and even our thoughts are like a slow-acting poison. They kill the trust, intimacy, and grace that are the lifeblood of any healthy relationship.
Think about it:
Greed: This is the desire for more, putting things above people and even God. Luke 12:15 warns, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions." Greed leads to a death of contentment and trust, often causing us to exploit or neglect others in our pursuit of wealth.
Envy: This is discontent over someone else's good fortune. James 3:16 states, "For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." Envy kills appreciation and gratitude, replacing them with bitterness and rivalry, which erodes the foundation of a healthy community.
Anger and Malice: Uncontrolled anger and malice, which is the desire to see others suffer, are fundamentally opposed to love. Ephesians 4:31 instructs, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." These emotions kill peace and forgiveness, leading to conflict and the death of trust in relationships.
Lust and Sexual Immorality: This isn't just a physical act but a heart issue that turns people into objects for our own pleasure. Matthew 5:28 teaches, "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." This behavior kills intimacy and genuine connection, leading to a death of loyalty and commitment.
These aren't just personality flaws; they are the very things that break down the loving relationships God designed us for. They are the termites in the foundation of our lives, slowly eating away at what truly matters.
The Prescription: Why Sin Required Death
This is why God’s original prescription for sin was so stark. He wasn't being brutal or mean when He required the death of an animal and the shedding of blood. He knew our human tendency to downplay our own faults. He knew we'd convince ourselves that our "little" sins weren't a big deal.
The sacrificial system was a vivid, graphic, and unforgettable reminder of the deadly seriousness of sin. It guaranteed that His people would never forget the truth that the Apostle Paul later proclaimed in Romans 6:23: "The wages of sin is death."
The death of that animal was an object lesson, a constant, tangible warning that the direction your sins were taking you was the death of your relationships—first and foremost with God, but also with your spouse, your family, and your friends. God desperately wanted His people to avoid the hardships and heartaches that come from relationships being killed and hurt. The sacrificial system was His loving but firm way of saying, "This is how serious it is. Do not be fooled."
For many modern Christians, this vital lesson has been lost. We're content treating our "sins" with a little of this or a little of that. We're effectively living with buckets of spiritual poison all over the house, unaware of the real danger.
We downplay our anger or our pride, not realizing that our marriage is at risk and our relationships with our kids are in jeopardy. We don't understand sin as a relationship killer, so we don't feel the desperate need for a cure.
The Ultimate Cure: Jesus' Blood and the Danger of Complacency
But then came Jesus, who offered a far better sacrifice. He came not as the priest but as the perfect lamb, offering His own blood, a sacrifice that was "once for all" (Hebrews 9:12). We no longer have to keep going back to a priest to cover our sins. His death was the ultimate cure, not a temporary treatment. It paid the debt, killed the power of sin, and made a way for our relationship with God to be fully restored.
However, with this incredible gift and ease of access also comes a risk: the risk of complacency. We can become so comfortable in God's grace that we forget the seriousness of the sin He died for. We can start to think, "My sin is already covered, so it's not that big a deal." The Bible warns against this. It calls us to a life of active faith, not passive spiritual laziness.
Romans 12:1-2 urges us to "offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." 1 Corinthians 9:27 tells us to "discipline my body and keep it under control," and Hebrews 12:1-2 encourages us to "throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles" and to "fix our eyes on Jesus."
These aren't calls to a life of legalistic drudgery. They are calls to a life of daily discipline, which is vital to truly enjoying the awesome grace of God. By actively fighting against the sin that would kill our relationships, we stay connected to God, who is the source of all life. We live in a vibrant, healthy relationship with Him and, in turn, are given the ability to see and love those around us the way our Father in heaven loves us. And that is a far, far better way to live.
An Invitation to the Cure
If you're reading this and you're ready to address your sin and accept Jesus' sacrifice as the actual cure, all you have to do is lean in and acknowledge your sin. Tell God, the ultimate physician, about everything that ails you, weighs you down, and feels like it's killing your joy and love. Then, tell him that you trust him wholeheartedly and you believe with all your heart that he can forgive your sins and help you learn how to live a new amazing life of love, joy, peace, and contentment. Tell him you're willing to trust not only his offer of forgiveness but also his ongoing guidance to learn new habits and ways to live so you don't slip back into the old sinful ways that brought you here in the first place.
And for some of you, you've had a relationship with God and you've had this talk, but you strayed from the guidance he offered and slipped back into old ways. You may find yourself needing to tell him about some new sins in your life and ask him for help once again. The Bible says that he is faithful and just to forgive us, but it also says there is something important about confessing our sins to other Christians. This, in a way, keeps us connected to the powerful lessons of the old covenant. When we actually admit our sin and see it out in the open (back then it was on a lamb), today it's out on the table in front of a trusted friend. It helps us remember that sin is serious and protects us from becoming a bit too lackadaisical about it. Ultimately, it's God who forgives us, but these object lessons are an important part of the process lest we forget and go on sinning. Who could you confess your sins to this week?
If you're brand new to all this and want to talk, myself and my wife would love to connect with you and help you navigate this conversation with God to be forgiven and begin a new, fresh start with our good Father in heaven.
You can reach us here: YourJesusJourney@gmail.com
Or click here and find a spot on our calendar that works for you.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the biblical definition of sin?
The word sin is used in the Bible to describe falling short of God's standard and failing to reflect God's character. It’s not just an evil act; it’s a failure to do the right things and a desire to live life our own way. The New Testament often describes sin as a transgression of the law of God, while the Old Testament gives us the Ten Commandments as a moral code and a good starting point to understand what that looks like. The Bible also talks about different types of sin, like sins of commission (the bad things we do) and sins of omission (the good things we fail to do).
Where did sin come from? What is original sin?
The origin of sin is traced back to the first sin in the Garden of Eden. The first human beings, Adam and Eve, rebelled against God's will by eating the forbidden fruit. This event is known as the fall of man, and it introduced a "sin nature" into the human race. This isn’t something we earn; it’s a condition we are born with as Adam's descendants, which is why we're all inclined to choose our own way over God's commands. This inherited brokenness is what we call original sin.
Why did God's law require death and blood to deal with sin?
This is a core biblical principle. The moral law of God established that the consequence of sin is spiritual death. The Old Testament sacrificial system was an object lesson of this truth: it required the death penalty for sin. God wasn't being harsh; He was lovingly providing a way to cover sin and offering a constant, vivid reminder that sin kills relationships and leads to death. This was to keep people from being complacent and to remind them of the seriousness of their rebellion against God’s holy law.
How does Jesus Christ's sacrifice change everything?
The Old Testament sacrifices were only a temporary fix. Jesus Christ is called the Lamb of God in the New Testament, and He is the ultimate fulfillment of that sacrificial system. His sacrifice was a once-for-all payment for sin. This is the good news: through Christ Jesus, anyone can be forgiven and receive eternal life. He didn't just cover our sins; His death and resurrection defeated the power of sin and spiritual death forever. We are made right with God not by our own goodness but by the righteousness of God given to us through faith in Him.
What about all the other types of sin I hear about, like "mortal sins" or "venial sins"?
The Bible doesn't make a distinction between mortal sin and venial sin in the same way some later religious traditions do. While some sins may have worse consequences for our lives and relationships, all sin is ultimately a transgression of God's law and a rejection of Him. The Bible is clear that there is no such thing as a "small" sin. Concepts like the seven deadly sins or the sins of King David show us that all rebellion against God, from the smallest lie to the worst act of malice, is serious because it breaks our relationship with God. The good news is that the grace of Christ Jesus is sufficient to cover them all.
EXCITING DREAMS TAKING SHAPE
From road life to dream home base! 🚚➡️🏡 After years of traveling, God led us to an incredible spot in Arizona to build a ministry hub & bless others. You won't believe how it happened! ✨ Watch our new video to see the first glimpse! 👇
For the past three years, Kaila and I have been living life on the road, exploring and serving wherever God leads us. It's been an incredible journey, but carrying everything we own and constantly navigating started us dreaming of something more: a home base. A place to lighten our load, simplify, and most importantly, create a space where we can truly bless others. This video is the first glimpse of that dream!
As full-time traveling missionaries and founders of YourJesusJourney.com, we live on a modest income, relying on the generosity of others to support our three-fold ministry vision: helping people understand the Bible in context, finding Christian friends, and equipping disciple makers. So, you might be wondering, how are we able to pursue something this ambitious? About a year and a half ago, Kaila’s beloved dad passed away. With his passing, Kaila inherited their expansive family home and horse property on the breathtaking North Shore of Lake Superior, in beautiful Ontario—the place she grew up, where she rode her first bike and horse, and learned to drive. After much prayer and seeking God’s guidance, we decided to sell the property. What you see here came as a result of that incredible blessing, and all the work unfolding in the next year or two will also be funded by it.
Ultimately, it’s all God’s money, God’s land, and God’s resources—we simply want to be faithful stewards, investing what He’s entrusted us with to serve our family, friends, and help countless others experience God and the lessons of the Bible in a whole new way. We prayed and searched high and low, from Texas to Idaho, and God consistently drew us back to this breathtaking location in Northwest Arizona. Imagine: a spot overlooking the world's densest Joshua Tree forest, just minutes from the Grand Canyon, with epic mountains in our backyard! Our deepest desire for this place is to be a haven for renewal. A spot where our kids can visit, Kaila's mom can stay, and friends can gather. But even bigger than that, it's a launchpad for new ministry—a place to invite people to rest, recharge, share meals, grow friendships, and truly be renewed in the desert sun. We're already dreaming of leading hikes, teaching Bible lessons, and hosting retreats.
There’s a lot of exciting work ahead, but we're stepping out in faith, trusting God every step of the way. We’re so excited to share this new chapter with our family, friends, and all of you! If you want to learn more about our ministry, please visit YourJesusJourney.com. And if you have any questions, or just want to send your prayers or encouragement, please fill up that comment section or reach out directly at YourJesusJourney@gmail.com.
We've journeyed through the Bible, verse by verse, for over 15 books now! We take each passage and break it down into easy-to-understand chunks of plain English. Along the way, we uncover fascinating historical details and explore the cultural context, truly bringing the scriptures to life in a way that resonates. Forget dusty footnotes and words that send you reaching for a thesaurus – we make God's Word approachable and meaningful for everyone. And because we know you're eager to dig even deeper, make sure to subscribe to the Daily Bible Podcast and catch the video podcast each day that complements these blogs!
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