I see your point, and it's a good one. Indeed I suppose people can be unaware that their behaviour is truly sinful, even if other people tell them it is. But people are very good at 'talking' themselves around in situations like this. I suspect many people are aware, deep down, that their behaviour is not acceptable to God. The Holy Spirit whispers to us and not every one listens. How many Christians do you think, put such whisperings aside because they are desperate to live a certain way. Desperate enough that they talk themselves around to believing that God Himself would be fine with what they are doing. They search out Churches and pastors who teach acceptance of the very thing they long for. Suddenly they are being told that God is okay with it, that indeed He encourages it, and that a true Christian will stand proudly for there faith. It's exactly what they want to hear, so they believe it. The Holy Spirit can prompt and whisper, but a person can choose to ignore, deny and resist. I grant you that the HS is God, and should He want a person to know, then that person will. But the Bible clearly points out that it is possible to resist, quench and even blaspheme against the Spirit. Now I grant you, if such a person has ignored the Spirit, he'll hardly listen to a person trying to tell him he is in sin, but I don't know that that's the point. The point is trying to define the difference between a living a life of sin and committing a sin. I do think there is a difference. I know that I commit sins, I am a sinful person, saved only by the grace given me. But every day I strive to seek out my sins and put them to death. I read the Bible and pray, doing my very best to listen to that quiet word from the Spirit. I know I'm far from perfect and that my journey will last the rest of my life, but I actively try and makes sure that I do not have a habitual, repetitive sin that reoccurs in my life. And you know what? I'm actually thankful whenever God points out a sin...not that it is then easy or quick to kill it, but I'm thankful that God is working with me in my sanctification, that He cares that much. And I think that is one of the big differences....those 'committing sins' usually are eager for learning and growth towards God, while those 'living in sin' are pretty much happy with how things are at the moment...they don't want to budge, they don't want to see, they're not open to any new voice...be it Christian, conscience or Holy Spirit.