The definition of sin has become so elusive today that there are so-called “sins” in many churches that cannot be found in Scripture. How do you know what a sin is? True, we see very well-defined sins in Scripture, such as adultery, fornication, stealing, lying, murder, etc., but what about the things that are not revealed in Scripture? Is it a sin not to give ten percent of your wages to the Church? Is it a sin for a husband to ignore his wife? What about which movies you watch, what you wear, what friends you hang out with, going to a party…, how do we know if they are sins.

“Missing the mark” as a definition of sin is very prevalent in today’s teachings. However, there is a problem with this definition. First of all, what mark are we missing? When we start asking this question, we will find that the answer is a moving target. Secondly, this definition is so generic that it allows for really anything to be put in as the mark missed. The mark could be not living up to God’s glory; having a ruined character; not abiding by God’s law; and they go on and on. Lastly, the source of this definition is an issue. In the book of Judges, the word normally translated as “sin” from the Hebrew is used to describe men who are so good with a sling that they do not miss their targets. The meaning “missing the mark” comes from a misunderstanding of how this word is used in this passage and also requires ignoring other passages of Scripture that specifically define sin. These men are […]