So what else is a sin?

[aldona]

The other thread on how it "it is a sin to forget" has got me thinking. I wondered, what other sins could I be committing and not even realizing it?

So I started to search the EG White estate website.

Here is what I have found so far:

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It is a sin to study books to the neglect of the various branches of usefulness in practical life. (Youth's Instructor, Apr 7 1898, para.5)

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Tight-lacing is a sin, and will bring its sure results. (Youth's Instructor, Apr 7 1898, para.8)

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Mothers ought to know what to do in any common case of sickness of their children. It is a sin for them not to know. (HR, October 1, 1866 par. 2)

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It is a sin to speak impatiently and fretfully or to feel angry--even though we do not speak. (HP 246.4)

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It is a sin to place poorly-prepared food on the table. (TSDF 97.8)

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Haphazard words, hasty, common words, talking for the sake of talking, when silence would be better, is a sin. (Ms 74, 1897. {VSS 30.3})

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The evidence we have of the faithfulness of his promises should check every thought of unbelief. It is a sin to doubt... ( RH, May 13, 1902 par. 3)

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To indulge a child when young and erring is a sin. A child should be kept under control. (CG 272.1)

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Tea and coffee drinking is a sin, an injurious indulgence, which, like other evils, injures the soul. (Counsels on Diet and Foods, page 425.)

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It is a sin to doubt. The least unbelief, if cherished in the heart, involves the soul in guilt, and brings great darkness and discouragement. (RH, April 22, 1884 par. 6)

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...I felt that it would be unchristian to give myself up to sorrow. ... It is a sin to indulge, without restraint, in mourning and lamentation. (RH, November 1, 1881 par. 10) (Describing her reaction to the death of her husband!!)

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You should ever feel that it is a sin to move from impulse. (5T 419.1)

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Believers are not to colonize in any place. It is a sin in the sight of God for those who know the truth to settle down as has been done in Battle Creek... (SpTB06 48.1)

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Why, fathers and mothers have no right to be scolding and fretting with their children in their homes. It is a sin. (PC 181.2)

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Let us be hopeful and courageous. Despondency in God's service is sinful and unreasonable. ( PH151 3.5)

This is just a brief selection. I'm sure those with more time on their hands can come up with a much more comprehensive listing.

aldona

[Tom Wetmore]

Thanks a lot, Aldona!

So much for attaining that goal of sinless perfection... :smilewink:

Tom

[Dr. Shane]

Sin is the transgression of the law. (1 John 3:4) Selfishness, and pride are often the roots of sin. Sin is the outward action but the cause is something inside of us. It is inside where selfishness and pride cause all a host of sins.

Ellen White pointed out a host of sins that arise our of these root causes. Wo would argue that reading fiction (or watching it on TV) instead of doing something useful (like attending prayer meeting) is a manifestation of selfishness?

Would would argue that sacrificing health in the name of fashion is a manifestation of pride?

In the United States, child protective services removes children from mothers that do not provide the most basic care to them. In most cases, these mothers are guilty of gross neglect which is a result of poor priorities. Who would suggest that such behavior is not caused by selfishness?

There is such a thing as justifiable anger but I cannot claim to have much first-hand knowledge of it. Most of the time when I get angry it is all about me. Someone does something I don't like and I get mad. Most of the time it is because they have caused me to lose something (selfishness) or made me look bad (pride).

A list of individual sins (or symptoms) can go on and on and on. And what may be a sin for one person, may not be for every person. However if we want to take a look at the root causes of sin, the list will get a whole lot shorter and that is where our energy can most efficiently be spent.

[olger]

Each of us have had mentors in life who encouraged us and helped us grow. The ultimate Mentor is the Word, and the Spirit of Prophecy is second.

Who are we encouraging in life? Who are we putting an arm upon the shoulder and saying "You can do it friend. I believe in you." ?

That is far better than being united in defeatism & failure. Shane is right, each of us struggle with pride. When we couple pride with negative thoughts, we are doomed to fail. Pride pushes God away and makes us lonely (Psalm 138:6).

But humility and forgiveness kindles the heart to action. "Let he who says he has faith show it by his actions (my paraphrase - James 2)

olger

[Gerr]

Thanks a lot, Aldona!

So much for attaining that goal of sinless perfection... :smilewink:

Tom

"Sin no more." Jesus, Jn 5:14; 8:11.

[LifeHiscost]

Each of us have had mentors in life who encouraged us and helped us grow. The ultimate Mentor is the Word, and the Spirit of Prophecy is second.

Who are we encouraging in life? Who are we putting an arm upon the shoulder and saying "You can do it friend. I believe in you." ?

That is far better than being united in defeatism & failure. Shane is right, each of us struggle with pride. When we couple pride with negative thoughts, we are doomed to fail. Pride pushes God away and makes us lonely (Psalm 138:6).

But humility and forgiveness kindles the heart to action. "Let he who says he has faith show it by his actions (my paraphrase - James 2)

olger

There are many of your posts, Olger, that I read and the Holy Spirit speaks to me through them. I'm often delinquent in giving the same honor to His servants for what He inspires them to give. I'm happy to see your confidence in Him remains firm and you find it sensible to give credit where credit is due.

"....so that, just as it is written, " LET HIM WHO BOASTS, BOAST IN THE LORD." 1 Corinthians 1:31 NASB

Emph theirs LHC

"....but glory, honor and peace for everyone who does good: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For God does not show favoritism." Rom 5:10,11 NIV

Blessings!