This question is for people who understand the Christian view of "original sin."?

Question

My father in law and mother in law "appeared" to live without sin. They had perfect social skills. They always knew what to do and what not to do, what to say and what not to say. And that caused me to wonder --- Is what we think of as "sin" just poor social skills? To kill is a "sin." Why? Because the killer just has poor social skills? If he or she had better social skills, would they have known that killing is not a good idea in our society? So, is "sin" just an expression of "poor social skills?"

Answer 1

No.

Sin is a deliberate thought, word, deed, or omission contrary to the eternal law of God.

Here is one way to describe Original sin.

The paradise in which God created the human race was a place where all people lived in complete holiness. They loved God with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their mind. They loved their neighbors as much as they loved themselves.

Then the first human beings disobeyed the commandment of God, choosing to follow their own will rather than God's will. This was the Original Sin.

As a consequence the first human beings lost the grace of original holiness, and became subject to the law of death; sin became universally present in the world.

Besides the personal sin of the first human beings, original sin describes the fallen state of human nature which affects every person born into the world. Therefore we are not responsible for Original sin but we are affected by it.

It was this fallen state from which Christ, the "new Adam," came to redeem us. Jesus makes paradise available to us again and teaches us how to live there, "You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

With love in Christ.

Answer 2

Sin. A transgression of a religious or moral law, especially when deliberate. I've heard the Hebrew for sin means literally "to miss the mark." but I don't know if that is accurate or not. Is it just poor social skills? I don't think so. Using your example of murder, is it just because the murderer doesn't know any better due to poor social skills? No, most know it's wrong, against the law, and try to cover up the fact they have done it. So it's not poor social skills, but a deliberate going against law.

Answer 3

sin has really nothing to do with social skills... the bible says that we are born with a sinful nature because of original sin... if it were true that it corresponded with social skills we would all be horrible communicators... however a person can appear to have no sin... but that is impossible... to have no sin is to be perfect and no one aside form jesus is perfect. you can be full of wisdom knowing what to say or what to do and then you can try to set a good example for those around you which isnt really social skills it is more of leading your life as an example of jesus...when people think of sin they think of fornication adultery murder lieing stealing.... that sort of thing... you can sin in your thouhgts or in being unfaithful to god.... which has no effect on how elevated your social skills are... so my answer is no... sin is not an expression of poor social skills

Answer 4

It's not only poor social skills, because sin extends to thoughts--e.g. if you look at someone lustfully, you're an adulterer at heart. Also, if your father-in-law and mother-in-law had perfect social skills, they'd probably be the ones who say no to "Does this make me look fat?" even when it does--and all lies, even little white lies, are sins. And not all killers have poor social skills--how many rich men have murdered their wives just to evade a messy divorce? Sin is thought and behavior that, at one time or another, even the most graceful of us fall victim to.

Answer 5

That's an interesting thought, but sin is not defined by society or any man, as social skills are. Sin is defined by God and his laws. Breaking his laws in sin. Many of society's views of what is right and wrong are based on Gods laws, not the other way around.

Answer 6

They may appear to be without sin, but they are not. Everyone sins. Babies are born into sin by parents who sinned. The Bible says, All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. Romans 3:23.
We know that killing is wrong, not because of our social skills, but because God put a conscience in each of us. I believe that's in Romans too.

Answer 7

I really have a hard time equating murder to "poor social skills". You have taken someone's life, not their extra biscuit. Sinning isn't about saying the right thing at the right time but about DOING the right thing at the right time.

And you haven't brought the "original sin" thing into your question, as that stemmed from Eve deliberately disobeying God (acting in a sinful manner).

Answer 8

Exactly what percentage of murders are commited, do you suppose, because the killer didn't know that "killing is not a good idea in our society?" It's not ignorance that creates sin; I believe it's the exact opposite. I've always considered sin to be doing wrong despite knowledge of right.

Answer 9

Sin is what is in the soul. You make a good point but not one that is valid. Sin is not an expression it is in the soul and without social skills whatsoever.

Answer 10

Hi Buttermilk,

To begin with, almost nobody even knows what true sin is. If you spend enough time reading the scriptures, instead of getting all of your knowledge from a paid cleric, you find it's not what everybody thinks. Sin, is not doing something "bad". Sin, is not breaking religious rules. Sin, is the deliberate rejection of God's authority in your life. Eve, indeed sinned, but it was not eating the fruit that was the sin. God told her, do not eat of the fruit of the tree in the middle of the garden. Eating the fruit, was not the sin. Her decision to disregard God's leadership in her life, and do her own thing, was. God wants nothing more, than for us to be happy and safe. We cannot be happy and safe, if we are causing pain and suffering for ourselves and others, through our stupid choices. When we submit to God's Fatherhood and leadership in our lives, and let His Spirit enter our hearts, we are guided and taught in the ways of peace, and love. Sin, is the rejection of God's place in our lives. Life, is the acceptance of His authority, His wisdom, and His love. Without these, we are truly lost.