Featured What are man-made sins?

I don't believe there is any such category as "man-made" sins. Sins are sins and righteousness is righteousness. Most human sins are mentioned in Scripture. Sin is the transgression of the Law, and also whatsoever is not of faith is sin (as stated in the Bible).

Furthermore, the Christian's focus should not be on sins and sinning, but righteous deeds and righteousness. See Philippians 4.

 

I am glad you inserted the word, "possible" for almost any you have listed could be a sin in a real life situation or NOT. It is pointless to name them since your statements are hypothetical. In a real situation there will be no, maybe yes, or, maybe no.

 

Hi amadeus,

That's just it . . . hypotheticals aren't real, and therefore, all you can do is surmise and speculate.

Much love!

 

i remember lots of these when i was a kid, i really believed they were sins. i remember when the internet was new back in the 90s it was a sin, man and women (not married) living together was a sin. what was the problem with going to the swimming pool?

 

Interesting list. I would have posted something like "not obeying the man of God" where it concerns commands about who one should marry, if one should marry a certain person or not, if he should work at such and such a place, etc. You know, the control-freak cult leader types, who want every decision going through them.

But about your list, some might actually qualify as scriptural.
- Tobacco, Caffeine and Alcohol use, in sufficient quantities, are all detrimental to one's health, and could be thus considered as sins according to the scripture that the body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, and must be cared for properly.
- Forbidding the eating of pork was a scriptural command, but done away with in the NT era.
- Gambling might fall under the headings of being an unwise steward with one's money, and of making sure one is not ruled over by anything (some are seriously addicted to it).
- Men with long hair was associated with effeminacy during NT times, and therefore commanded against. That association is not so automatic in modern times, however, so the social context has changed somewhat.
- Dancing; not on your life, LoL. Frequently cited in scripture as a way of expressing praise to God when done in a godly fashion.
- Various types of music is an interesting one. The early church eventually developed the doctrine that the use of instruments was intoxicating and could lead to sin, and therefore decreed that Christian worship be acapella only. I think that was taking things a tad too far.
- Going to the swimming pool, if you mean in a skimpy bathing suit, is actually one I have wondered about myself. Many bathing suits leave nothing to the imagination, and IMO foster sin among the youth. Not sure how you fix that one, but it's a problem the way I see it. But then, I came to Christ having serious problems with lust.
- Boxing and Football, nah. It's not like the Colosseum, where men where being murdered or eaten alive for the entertainment of others.
- Military service: This one potentially starts a big, highly-involved debate. I'll leave it alone for now.
- Women Preachers: I don't think women being preachers is a sin, but many do and cite supposed scriptural proofs for it.
- King James only: Yes.
- Visiting other churches: We were discussing visiting or associating with other churches just the other day. That's just another control-freak issue, IMO.
- Watching television: Until Football season, I'm pretty safe there, LoL. Not sure many would have the guts to foist this one on their congregations. They'd probably be left with only the crickets chirping.

 

I agree. That's why I said "in sufficient quantities." Despite using wine as a societal norm, the commands were still there to guard against becoming drunk.

About this, it had to do with Essenism and eating and drinking foods and liquids that were unclean, so it's a different issue. But the rest I fully agree with.

 

Aaah, I think I have it now...you mean LEGALISM ....weights on the shoulder that God did not put there.... or, what I call "Ought-ism".

When I was first saved I was told to not wear makeup any more. It was a sin of the flesh. I was told my skirt was too short. I was told to not wear my bright coloured clothes any more. ( it made me a sinner because I went ahead anyway, except when I went 'to church' until one day I bumped into the Pastor while out shopping...and felt naked before him) .... I was told I must do nothing in the morning before I had read my bible and spent time in prayer...the religion of oughtism . Not one of these thing did I hear from God, but only from man.

 

The Essenes were the ultimate "holier than thou" cult, and in regard to what Jesus taught about "It is not that which goes into the body that defiles a man but that which comes from the heart," the Essenes would have absolutely hated Him and regarded Him as the worst kind of heretic known to man, LoL.

So they would have epitomized those who created man-made sins during NT times. Jesus, and Paul, were far far different in their teachings and practice : )

 

Oh funny, you reminded me ...talk about a double standard. We lived by the sea back then...and the second spiritual oversight in charge , a lady...( she was actually lovely and taught me much , things I have never forgotten) felt it was sin to be undressed on the beach. ( I was 24 at the time and did have a bikini ) ...she asked ME to go with her down to the beach and teach her two young boys 7 & 8 how to swim! So she looked after my two toddlers , while I taught her boys how to swim. And she never told me to cover up as I was 'sinning'..haha!! But her dress was almost to the ankles, with long sleeves.

 

Oh boy.
I think I'm going straight to the hot place.
And many nice persons I know !