If you know you have to do something and you don’t do it, is it a sin?

Question:

According to the Bible, if you know what to do and you refuse it’s a sin. So, I’m asking if you know you have to study and you don’t study is it a sin?

Answer:

The Bible has a lot to say about what is wrong and what is right. These are typically connected to being moral in the eyes of God and/or man. For instance, the Bible says it is wrong to lie, or steal, or commit adultery. Nobody has debates and arguments about these sins as they are clearly defined in the scriptures. But what about not studying? What about smoking? What about not stowing the shopping cart in the parking lot because you don’t have time? The Bible says nothing about these, yet we might feel bad if we do, or do not, do these. Are these sins if I feel bad afterwards?

This is what the Bible says in times like this,

Rom.14:5 Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. … 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats [or does, or says], because he does not eat [or do, or say] from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

So, what does the above advice mean?

The bottom line is that you need to be convinced within yourself. If the Bible does not say outright if it is wrong or not, it is your conscience that will lead you. If you choose not to study, and your conscience does not disapprove, then it is not a sin.

However, if you choose not to study and you are not fully convinced in your heart about it, and you start to doubt your action, then it is a sin between you and God. In other words, your doubt about your action is the same as not having faith that it is right. You are stepping out of faith, and whatever is not of faith is sin for you in your relationship with God. This is why the verse states, “Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God”.

Others might do the same, and not sense that doubt. For them it is not sin as they are not violating their conscience. Their faith in their actions is still intact. However, the fact that you are even asking this question means that your conscience is softer and that the Spirit of God is dealing with you in these smaller issues in life. It means that you are growing in your conscience; God is teaching you to become more sanctified to Him.

In your daily walk with God, this is how you are led by the Spirit. If you stay in tune with these convictions, you are literally walking by faith.

God bless.