How Does the Bible Define Sin?

What is sin according to the Bible? Is it when we get angry? Is it when we yell at someone or use poor language? Is sin all about our attitude? Is it something vague that we might not be aware of?

It's important that we have a correct understanding of how the Bible defines sin. Without the right definition of this word, we won't be able to hold ourselves to the standards that the Living God has set for us. We won't know how to live, or the things we should repent of and stop doing. It will also be impossible to understand the Bible properly if we don't know what it means by sin.

1 John 3:4 tells us exactly what sin is.

"Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law." 

Sin is when we break Biblical law. Sin happens when we set aside the commandments of Scripture, in order to do what we want. What a blessing to have been given these commandments, because they tell us how to act if we want to stay away from sin! Sin is not a vague concept Biblically. Sin is when when our actions are without the laws of the Living God.

Related posts:
The Three Types of Laws in Scripture
Faith and Works
Biblical Law and the Woman Caught in Adultery

Summertime Sabbath Ideas

How do you like to spend the Sabbath during summer months? Are you taking advantage of the season and enjoying the weather and fresh produce that this time of year offers? Here are a few ideas for making the most of summer!

Summertime Sabbath Ideas:

-Spend your day outside. Get outside for some fresh air! Not only is the fresh air and sunshine good for your health, but it can make for a more restful day. Being outside means I'm not as distracted by all the things there are to do at home, and my focus isn't on whatever work there is to get caught up on or what needs cleaned up around the house. If you have kids, getting them outside means less mess to clean up later. Time in creation naturally calls our attention to the Creator's ways. Enjoy your backyard, a nearby park, lake, or the beach.

-Fresh fruit. Can you beat the convenience or deliciousness of fresh fruit at this time of year? Make fresh produce a big part of your food intake on the Sabbath and you'll spend less time in the kitchen. Pick up whatever is in season at a nearby orchard, the farmers market, or the grocery store and you have instantly taken care of part of the food you'll need for the Sabbath. Have a big bowl of blueberries out to snack on, or serve peaches or melon for part of the meal, or dessert. Support your health while having less work to do!

-Sprinkler baths. While bathing kids can be a lot of work, sometimes it's necessary on the Sabbath. Why not make it a little easier - and a lot more fun - by swapping out the bathtub for the sprinkler, the hose, kiddie pool, or dip in the lake or swimming pool? Send kids out to swim or play in water and call it good enough. Make this chore into something a lot more fun for kids and more peaceful for you.

-Make ahead salads. In the warm weather, I find cold dishes so refreshing. Most salads are simple to make, and if you're utilizing a lot of fresh vegetables in raw form, they come together quickly. And is there a better feeling when you're hungry of opening up the fridge and seeing something delicious ready to eat? You don't need to be coordinated, just grab the salad when you're ready to eat, no need to heat up the kitchen or making sure the crockpot gets started by whatever time. Make a cold salad or two to enjoy on the Sabbath. Here are some great recipes to get you inspired.

Related posts:
Five Ways to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath
Get Outside this Shabbat
Summer Salads for Shabbat

Biblically Clean Summer Recipes

Summer brings warm weather, lovely days spent outside, and great seasonal produce. I wanted to share Biblically clean recipes that put those garden vegetables and fresh fruits to use. A lot of these recipes utilize the grill or leave ingredients raw so that helps to minimize the time you need to spend in a hot kitchen. Lots of these would work well to take to a cookout or for Sabbath meals too.

BBQ Chicken Ranch Pasta Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Vibrant Bell Pepper and Zucchini Tacos from Minimalist Baker

Quick Hummus Bowl from A Couple Cooks

Strawberry Shortcake from Love and Lemons

Blueberry Cucumber Summer Salad from How Sweet Eats

Farmers Market Goat Cheese Pasta Primavera from Half Baked Harvest

Cheesy Bruschetta Chicken Burgers from How Sweet Eats

Zippy Orzo Chicken Salad from Pinch of Yum

Tomato, Peach, and Burrata Salad from Half Baked Harvest

Cheeseburger Chopped Salad with Dill Pickle Vinaigrette from How Sweet Eats

Watermelon Slushie from A Couple Cooks

Salmon Souvlaki Bowls from Half Baked Harvest

Boiled Corn on the Cob from Love and Lemons

Buffalo Zucchini Chicken Burgers from Ambitious Kitchen

Rainbow Veggie Bowls with Jalapeno Ranch from Pinch of Yum

Browned Butter Grilled Peaches from Half Baked Harvest

Greek Salad from A Couple Cooks

Cold Soba Noodle Salad with Spicy Peanut Sauce from Salt and Lavender

Market Veggie Board with Roasted Corn Jalapeno Hummus from Half Baked Harvest

Sweet Corn, Peach, and Tomato Salad from How Sweet Eats

Skillet Strawberry Cobbler with Layered Cream Cheese Biscuits from Half Baked Harvest

Rainbow Chicken Salad with Almond Honey Mustard Dressing from Pinch of Yum

Ratatouille from Love and Lemons

One Pot Greek Oregano Chicken with Orzo and Tomatoes from Half Baked Harvest

Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Love and Lemons

Watermelon Sorbet from A Couple Cooks

Related posts:
Eating Biblically Clean at Summer Cookouts
What the Bible Says About Meat and Dairy
Brands of Biblically Clean Marshmallows

What Not To Do on the Sabbath

What sorts of things are we supposed to avoid doing on the Sabbath? The Bible gives us instructions to rest and not to work, but what does that look like, practically, for us today? I want to point out some specific things we aren't to do, because when I first started keeping the Sabbath there were many things that I overlooked. As with the post on what to do on the Sabbath, this is not meant to be a comprehensive list, but rather a general guideline of Scripture's instructions surrounding the set apart day.

The Bible tells us that on the Sabbath day we shouldn't:

Work:

-Work professionally. Full time, part time, or as needed. This includes side hustles or any sort of gig. Whether you work for yourself or someone else, working should be avoided. See this post for information about how to stop working on the Sabbath.

-Do unnecessary household tasks. I'm talking about things like yardwork or doing the laundry or general cleaning, as well as tasks like balancing the checkbook or paying bills. These things could easily wait another day so that you can enjoy Sabbath rest.

-Work on special projects. This could be anything from party planning to blogging to helping someone move to finally hanging up that framed family photo.

-Promote your work or business. The Sabbath is not for professional networking or trying to solicit new business. Trust in YHWH to provide for your needs. 

Have someone work for us:

-Shop. If you go to a store or business then the employees are working on your behalf. Save your shopping list for another day.

-Hire help. If you need an electrician, plumber, etc. or if you pay someone to do yard work or to fix your vehicle, schedule that for a day that is not the Sabbath. I would also think twice before enrolling a child in dance class or art class that meets on the Sabbath, because the instructor would be working (not to mention that this wouldn't be very restful for you or your child).

-Run errands like going to the bank.

-Make appointments. Sabbath is not the day to call about getting an oil change or to set up a dentist appointment, etc. 

-Eat out. Going to a restaurant for a meal or coffee shop for a drink means that cooks, servers, baristas, etc. are working on your behalf.

-Give other people things to do. While there is nothing wrong with talking to friends and family, please be considerate of other people's day of rest and refrain from asking them to do things for you, whether that's look something up, email you information, or schedule an appointment. I know from experience that there is nothing relaxing about being asked to do some sort of errand or chore, even if the person doesn't expect you to do it until later in the week. Saving your requests for another day helps to promote a restful atmosphere for all.

I'd like to point out that these restrictions are for normal circumstances. The Messiah used the analogy of the ox in the ditch (Luke 14:5) to say that emergencies happen, and sometimes it is necessary to do something on the Sabbath that is not restful or ideal. If you are in need of the police, immediate medical care, etc. please do not hesitate to get the services you need!

The following are things not expressly ruled out by Scripture, but that generally don't lend themselves well to a day of rest. You can certainly choose to do these things if you wish, but consider if taking part in these is helping or hindering rest in your life.

A few more suggestions of things to avoid for a better Sabbath day:

-Spending the day on the internet. Is all of that time on social media doing you any favors? Does website hopping leave you feel refreshed or drained? Consider how your internet activity makes you feel, and see if YHWH is calling you to something better on the Sabbath.

-Watching the news. Tuning into the news is a great way to invite fear and anxiety into your life and home. Most of what the news covers has very little impact on our daily lives, and much of what is news today will be forgotten by tomorrow. Keeping the television shut off can make for a more peaceful atmosphere for your home.

-Stressing yourself out. Sabbath rest is a reminder that we depend on YHWH. Therefore, a great gift to give yourself and your family is to not ruminate on things that worry you, be that finances, needing to buy a new car, relationship trouble, or concern for a loved one. Instead of focusing on the 'what-ifs', redirect your thinking to remind yourself of YHWH's promise to work all things together for good. This post about how Scripture says to handle anxiety can help you to manage this.

-Trying to quickly knock something off your to do list. It's easy to let yourself think that if you just get whatever thing done, then you'll be able to rest. But you are called to set aside work, even when there are things to do or the house needs cleaned. Don't fall for the lie that rest can only be had when everything is done, or that whatever thing "needs" to be done. Unless it's an emergency, let it go and set apart the Sabbath.

Related posts:

What To Do on the Sabbath
Five Things the Messiah Taught About the Sabbath
How to Have a More Peaceful Sabbath