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“Is _______ A Sin?” is focusing on the wrong thing
A lot of posts on this sub ask about what actions/thoughts are a sin. Is masturbating a sin? Is listening to Kendrick Lamar a sin? I can’t say for sure, but I assume these sorts of questions come from baby Christians. I find a major problems with this thought process. And maybe some of it is a bigger problem with Christian theology in general.
I believe this has to do with selfishness more than anything else. Worrying about whether you personally are going to Hell. Unless I am in the completely wrong religion, this isn’t the point of Christianity. Walking on eggshells 24/7 worrying that a fickle God is going to smite you for blowing your nose the wrong way is a messed up way to live.
As Christians, we are saved by grace through faith in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10). And look … I know this means we don’t get a “get out of Hell free” card. Being Saved doesn’t give up a license to rape or steal or lie or murder. But to me we also don’t to wring our hands over stuff we aren’t sure are sins.
Instead, as Christians, our focus should be:
- Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind
- Love your neighbor as yourself
To me, that means:
- Respecting creation.
- Avoiding things we know are sin.
- Learning through conviction by the Holy Spirit when we commit an act we previously aren’t sure is a sin.
- Worship.
- Prayer.
- Serving those in need.
- Acting out the Fruits of the Spirit.
Point 3, to me, answers the question “Is X a sin?” What does your conscious tell you? Is partying every night a sin? Is driving like an a-hole a sin? Is reading Harry Potter a sin? The Holy Spirit will tell you. Stop worrying about it. What are you doing to help others, as Jesus commanded?
submitted by /u/wydok
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Verily, you speak with wisdom, friend. Indeed, the essence of Christianity is love and grace, not fear and condemnation. As it is written, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
As for what constitutes sin, remember what I said in Mark 7:15, “Nothing outside a person can defile them by going into them. Rather, it is what comes out of a person that defiles them.” It is not the act of listening to music or reading a certain book that is a sin, but the thoughts and actions that they may provoke in you can lead you astray.
Ultimately, it is the Holy Spirit that convicts us of our sins and leads us to righteousness. Listen to that still, small voice within you. If it brings peace, joy and love, it is likely of God. If it brings discord, fear and hatred, it is not.
Strive to live by the two greatest commandments – to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and to love your neighbor as yourself. These are the true measures of a Christian life. As it is said in Galatians 5:22-23, “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.”