Can anyone explain the difference between sin and faults. I see the Strongs has them both as cousins......so are they the same or not

Email  

I only attempt to answer your question because I don’t see a posted response and I am merely trying to present God’s answer to this question. It seemed like such an elementary question on my initial reading but as soon as it registered in my mind, I soon realized the depth of this inquiry. I hope some of the more eloquent and experienced brothers and or sisters will also contribute and post a more meaningful treatment of this subject than I can. This is how I personally view this subject based on my total understanding and reliance upon scriptural guidance. I had to keep it as succinct as possible in order not to pollute it with any personal views or misuses of scripture. If anyone sees any mistakes or areas that need more illumination or, God forbid, an erroneous use of scripture please post a correction, I am not above correction but I am not getting into any confrontational debate exchanges.

Sin is fundamentally any action that is against God’s Word and will and it is rooted in lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (human pride). A fault is loosely defined as those questionable actions, judgments, and opinions that may not be done with any ill intent, malice, or with defiance of any scriptural mandate or ordinance and yet still can be offensive, divisive, disruptive, and corruptive if left unattended to by spiritual examination and correction.


Consider the following passages.


1 Corinthians 10:23-33
23 All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify. 24 Let no one seek his own, but each one the other's well-being. 25 Eat whatever is sold in the meat market, asking no questions for conscience' sake; 26 for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner, and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake. 28 But if anyone says to you, "This was offered to idols," do not eat it for the sake of the one who told you, and for conscience' sake; for "the earth is the LORD's, and all its fullness." 29 "Conscience," I say, not your own, but that of the other. For why is my liberty judged by another man's conscience? 30 But if I partake with thanks, why am I evil spoken of for the food over which I give thanks? 31 Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. 32 Give no offense, either to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God, 33 just as I also please all men in all things, not seeking my own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.


Romans 14:13-23
13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother's way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 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, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

A spiritual fault can easily become sin because of a lack of conviction or faith. This is a result of a double-minded faith and a lack of love that causes anyone to practice their own personal liberty, which in and of itself is not sin or a sinful act, but becomes very sinful and spiritually callous, when we allow our personal choices and spiritual liberties divide, disrupt, corrupt, and destroy other Christians and non-believers alike. This is true even though these personal choices and liberties are perfectly acceptable in all other situations. I call it a spiritual fault because a mature Christian should be cognizant and vigilant for those things that may cause weaker babes in Christ and non-believers to stumble.


The Hebrew writer advises us to put or lay aside every weight (faults) and sin. In the battle for salvation, especially considering that we are fighting against principalities that are relentless in their attacks, do you really want to fight them weighted down with sinless faults. Of course not, a weight will slow you down, rob you of endurance, throw you off course, and eventually make you come up short of your mark.


Hebrews 12:1; 12-15
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
…

12 Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees, 13 and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. 14 Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord: 15 looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;


A fault can easily transform itself into a root of bitterness.