Is there a difference between "sin" and "evil", as portrayed in the Bible?
Notice that I ask: "as portrayed in the Bible".

Please discuss the differences,
Karlis

To sin is to break one of the commandments of God. In order to be evil, you would have to purposely be breaking God's commandments maliciously and offensively towards God. Evil is pride, rebellion, foolishness, and malice.

There are various levels to this question, in my opinion.

On a human level - "sin" is abstract and can refer to almost anything (thought, deed, words). Sin is also relative - what one person coniders sin, another person might consider acceptable. "Evil" is action, and determined by how much pain and suffering is directly caused as a result of this action - the more pain, the more evil.

On a theological levl - "sin" is described as anything going against God's wishes (to "miss the mark" as its exact translation would imply). "Evil" is similar, but is generally differentiated by action against other people as opposed to action against God.

On a practical level - In my opinion, there is no difference between "sin" and "evil" in this sense. Anything that goes against God is "sin" and because of its detrimental effect to our relationship with God, is also "evil".

Hope that helps, Karlis

Thanks for a good definition, which shows the difference between sin and evil.

Now, to expand the thread a bit further, here is another question for consideration:
* Is sin a crime? If sin is a crime, then against whom is a crime committed?

Hhmmm ... this is becoming convoluted,
Karlis

Sin is making a mistake, an error.
Evil is knowingly making a choice of destruction or cruelty, a plan.


Examples -
Manslaughter
Murder

I would suggest sin would not be possible without religion, although evil would. Biblically to sin is to go against God, evil is simply to purposefully behave in a way that brings intentional suffering to another.

As I see it anways...

Sin is an act this is done against God's wishes.

Evil is a personal trait that is prominent in a person who likes to act on Sin.

"Examples -
Manslaughter
Murder"

I don't see it quite the same. Since an accident while driving would cause manslaughter. It was not in the least bit intended to happen. Yet by whatever series of events that happened, it happened. Whereas Murder is planned out with pure intent. A person who commits murder WANTS to kill someone. A person who commits manslaughter DID NOT WANT to kill someone.

As for sin and crime, that depends on where you are in the world. In many countries Adultery (A Sin by the 10 commandments) is not considered a crime, but just an unsavory act. But in other countries, it is punishable by death.

The same thing goes for many other biblical Sins.

-C

No problemo...


Well, according to my definition of sin (breaking one of God's commandments/laws), it would be a crime against God to sin. In many cases, the laws of the Torah are also considered crimes against the State of Israel if they're broken (but only if you are in Israel). To be a Non-Jew and break the laws for Non-Jews (The The Seven Laws of Noah) is considered a crime against God and against the State in which the laws are applied. If the State does not implement these laws then to sin would not be a crime against the State, however, for a Non-Jew it would still be a sin against God. I suppose based on Judaism's view, to sin is to commit a crime against God.

Sin - a word used by man to describe doing wrong ...

Evil..a word used to describes how man can go too far with the sin and add to it to disturb people...

Yes, this is more or less where I was heading, Leonardo. Through "Christian religion" God gives laws and precepts which Mankind should aim to follow.

PA mentions that sin is missing the mark. As I understand that -- when people fail to live by the laws and precepts of God, they "miss the target", as to how they should live. That is sin.

Evil on the other hand seems to be the opposite of good. Living according to God's will is rewarded by "good", and living against God's will brings "evil" upon the people, as per the following example:
Deu 30:15 Behold! I have set before you today life and good, and death and evil,

Deu 30:16 in that I command you today to love Jehovah your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments, so that you may live and multiply. And Jehovah your God shall bless you in the land where you go to possess it.

Deu 30:17 But if you turn away your heart, so that you will not hear, but shall be drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,
Deu 30:18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish; you shall not prolong your days on the land where you pass over Jordan to go to possess it.

Deu 30:19 I call Heaven and earth to record today against you. I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life, so that both you and your seed may live,
Deu 30:20 so that you may love Jehovah your God, and that you may obey His voice, and that you may cling to Him. For He is your life and the length of your days, so that you may dwell in the land which Jehovah swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give it to them.

I am writing from the Bible-based point of view.
If we discard the Bible and look at sin and evil from a view that leaves out Scriptures, one could arrive at a belief as was stated by Bs-Mom:
Sin - a word used by man to describe doing wrong ...
Evil - a word used to describes how man can go too far with the sin and add to it ...

It is fascinating how beliefs shape our world-views.
Karlis

Shouldn't they?

I'm not sure if you are expecting an answer Kaizen, but but our personal beliefs *do* shape our views. Whether that should be so, or not, is a philosophical point -- the fact is that this happens.

Be as it may -- If you have a different view, what is it?
Karlis

To be honest, Karlis, it is my opinion that a person can sin without doing evil. To blaspheme is a sin, but who actually suffers? When I swear and curse does baby Jesus really cry?

One cannot divorce sin from religion (hence the bible and scripture), because the concept is based purely on obedience (or not) to divine will.

I really like how you chose to word that Leo..well said

I too feel that IE - a simple lie cant be evil...evil to me is such a strong word..too strong and when someone says its all evil, then I dont think they have it right

Yes and no, evil is the lack of good. Sin is the lack of God. Godly people sometimes do evil things. However, the more of God you have in you and the less of you that you have in you, the less evil you do. Sin is us turning our back on God and raising ourselves up as gods in His place. The reason why Adam and Eve felt ashamed of their nudity is not because of evil, but because of sin. They had realized that they fell from a state of glory in their existence and were ashamed of what they had become. They were no longer righteous because they had set themselves up as gods in a place that God was once present. And that is why the God asked them, "Why are you hiding?" So, sacrifices had to be used to atone for that fallen state, lest their constant existence apart from God's presence would eliminate all hope for them.

I think it should affect our POV. I thought you were implying that it was a bad thing...Lol.