It should be obvious that understanding a proper response to sin is essential for each Christian. The Bible makes it clear that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23). Therefore, everyone must know what to do when they do sin. But the question may arise, “What is sin?” To understand what to do about sin, it is equally important to understand what sin is.
The word sin and its various forms (sinner, sins, sinful, etc.) are found hundreds of times in the Bible. God makes it very clear that sin is in the world. He also has plans to deal with sin once and for all. When the Bible uses the word sin in the New Testament, it uses the Greek word “hamartano” or “hamartia.”
“Hamartano” and “hamartia” mean to miss the mark. It has the idea of missing the mark of an intended target. Scripture says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). “Hamartano/hamartia” here is like an archer who draws near to his line to shoot for his intended target. As he shoots, he aims for the bullseye, but his arrow falls well short of his intended target. It is as though he does not have the strength to shoot the distance required. He tries again, but try as he must, he continues to fall short. Due to the archer coming up short, “hamartano/hamartia” also speaks of not sharing in the prize.
The commands of God and the likeness of God are what the human race are called to shoot for. However, the distinguishing mark of all is that everyone falls short. So what is the proper response to falling short? How can the believer, while falling short, still obtain the prize?
In I John 1:9-10, John helps the Christian to see what must be done during times of sin.
When we sin, we must confess
Scripture says, “If we confess our sins…” (1 John 1:9). John here uses the word “if” to describe the act of confession. He knows that not everyone will confess his sins before the Lord. However, in its context, the implications of confessing sin to the Lord make it a nonnegotiable practice.
A careful study on the word “confess” is necessary, as there are construed views as to what the act of confession means. John uses the Greek word “homologeo.” This word bears the meaning of making a promise, assenting to, or making a covenant. It has also has the meaning of being together with, as though the person confessing is, in a sense, “being together with” God.
In all of this, there is an agreeing with another as to what is being said. Ultimately, the one who is doing the confessing is agreeing with God as to what God says about his sin. To say it a little differently, the one confessing is saying the very same thing about his sin as God is saying.
With this understanding of confession, it should be clear what confession is not. Confession is not simply someone’s telling God what he has done wrong. Confession is not a get-out-of-jail-free card. Confession is not something that makes God a dumpster, wherein the Christian can go dump his trash whenever he feels like it.
Confession is the humble recognition of the wickedness of sin. This recognition drives the person to God, and he confesses/agrees with God that his sin is wrong. The Christian thereby commits himself to God to turn and forsake his sin. This is biblical confession.
When we sin, we can be forgiven
Scripture makes it very clear that confession, while being a choice, is also a non-negotiable practice. Scripture says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). Through confession come forgiveness and a cleansing from unrighteousness.
Some may forgo the practice of confession because they say, “Since Jesus forgave me on the cross, I do not need to continually confess my sin and ask for forgiveness.” The thought is understandable, as Christ’s forgiveness on the cross is a once and for all payment for sin.
The Christian does not continually need to ask for forgiveness to be justified (legally declared righteous). However, sin has devastating effects in the life of the Christian. As sin is committed by a believer, this will place a wedge in his intimacy with God. Sweet communion with God will, in essence, be put on hold until the believer turns to the Lord in humble confession.
Scripture says, “When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin” (Ps. 32:3-5). David was a believer here. He had sinned against the Lord and, as a result, needed to be forgiven. He did not need to be justified in the sight of God again; rather, the effects of sin were devastating.
He expresses the following after his sin:
• His bones waxed or wasted away
• He was continually groaning and roaring
• God’s hand weighed heavy on David
• David’s moisture or life was dried up
David needed these things removed from his life. However, he needed this removed from his life not to simply feel better but because his sin was getting in the way of his relationship with God. Sin gets in the way of a vibrant relationship with God. Confession, by God’s choice, removes this barrier and allows for intimacy yet again.
When we sin, we must recognize it
John goes on to tell of the way that there may be some who do not see themselves clearly, or at least they do not want to acknowledge their sin before God. John says, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). Simply put, everyone sins. Therefore, everyone needs to confess. This is John’s line of argument.
The Bible emphatically declares that everyone has sinned against the Lord (Rom 3:23; Rom. 3:10; Rom. 3:12; Eccl. 7:20). This is an undeniable fact of Scripture. Jesus was the only One Who has never sinned against God. This should bring a sense of relief rather than discouragement.
You are not alone. The temptations that you face are common among mankind (1 Cor. 10:13). The recognition of sin is not a sign that God is absent from your life; rather, it is an evidence of His grace and presence.
In John 16, Jesus is giving His disciples a farewell speech. In doing so, He covers many different topics, but the one of primary importance to our subject matter is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that one of the defining marks of the Spirit’s ministry is to convict the world of sin (John 16:8). This means that when people begin to sense that they have sinned and that it’s wrong, then this means that the Holy Spirit is present in their lives.
Application
If you are able to see sin in your own life, praise the Lord. God is shining the light of His Spirit into your life. Do not run from Him, but rather turn to Him. Confess your sin, agree with Him that it is wrong, and repent and turn from your sin. Along the way, there will be times of failure as you turn from sin. There may be times when you find yourself falling into the same temptations and sin. However, each time, determine with God’s help to confess and repent.
Times of refreshing will come, and intimacy will be restored with God when genuine confession takes place. He is a gracious God and ready to forgive. Look to Christ today. It is only by His blood that you can be forgiven and cleansed from your unrighteousness.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You that You have made a way for me to be forgiven. Help me to continue to turn to You. Give me eyes to see my sin like You do. In Jesus’ name, Amen.