What Is Sin? A Spiritual Perspective on Judgment & Growth
What is Sin?
You may know that to ‘sin’ is to ‘miss the mark’ in archery; that’s the origin of the word. In our Christian-influenced culture, to sin is to commit a crime, to deserve judgment and punishment.
I’m saddened by our misunderstanding of sin, more specifically, our inappropriate response to sin. We are here to learn; we are here to sin. No one hits a bullseye on their first attempt, and if they do, they don’t do it again.
Sometimes we are the sinners. I went into a conversation resolved to stay peaceful and loving, but I lost my temper and found my way into judgment. I sinned.
Sometimes we are the observers. A dear friend of ours is holding onto a grudge they refuse to let go of, uninterested in forgiveness or resolution. They sinned.
I judged myself instead of having compassion. I withheld my love. I sinned.
You get what saying? We’re all sinning all the time. That’s why we’re here. To learn. You don’t learn by showing up flawlessly. You learn by trying new things and then trying again.
What to do about sin?
Many of us fall prety to judgment and fear. (And again, sin, for that’s not love or divine union.)
Try again.
Have you been judging someone across the aisle? A vexing neighbor’s flag? Try again.
Have you been withholding your love in any way from anyone? Try again.
Point the finger back at yourself.
If you’re judging someone, that person may be sinning, as are you by holding your judgment.
If you are judging yourself, point the finger of compassion.
Guess what? We’re all sinners. Good for us! We’re supposed to try. We’re supposed to be growing.
If you’re not sinning, you’re playing it too small.
Different Types of Sin
I recognize that there seems to be a difference between the sin of trying and not hitting the mark, and the sin of not trying to hit the mark at all. (Not trying to grow and become more spiritually evolved, so to speak)
Guess what? That observation comes from judgment.
“I’m trying to forgive, but I failed; that’s sin. That person is choosing to hold on; that’s worse.”
Says who?
Perhaps a person not forgiving is their attempt to better themselves. Their inclination may be to seek revenge, and instead they choose to withhold forgiveness - for them, that’s positive momentum, a step in the right direction.
A sin is a sin is a sin is a sin.
Let’s get off our high horse of judgment and put our feet back on the ground of humility.
Reflect
No one enjoys missing the mark. No one likes being in pain and withholding love.
And if it seems that they do, how sad. How small and painful their experience of life must be.
When you find yourself in judgment rather than observation, have compassion for yourself first. You have fallen prey to a lie, that you are in danger, that you are not of value, etc. Judgment comes from ego. Thus, your judgment is not of God, of the divine; it’s of your ego.
You don’t have to understand why you’re judging, you only have to accept that there is a part of you needing unconditional love.
I judged someone who I believe holds quite negative beliefs based on lies. The situation may or may not be true; I was not in observation; I was in judgment.
I gave myself compassion. In that release - I consciously exhaled - I discovered that beneath the judgment I had fear.
Then, I gave myself compassion for my fear. I began to feel safe.
Once safe, it was easier for me to have compassion for that person whom I’d thought I was separate from.
Guess what? That person is also afraid.
Them and me? We’re sinning the same sin.
Let’s move on
You sin, I sin, we sin. We all sin.
Let’s take a breath.
Judgment. Righteousness. Certitude.
These are running rampant.
When you see them - righteousness and certitude are big red flags - think compassion.
None of those things are divine, are of love. They’re all sins. They’re all cries from the ego, or they’re someone trying and missing the mark. (I don’t know; it’s not mine to judge anyway)
They need compassion. You need compassion. We all need compassion.
Practice Love
Right here and now. Breathe in, expand your belly. Then sigh it out.
Breathe in for 4 seconds, out for 6 seconds.
Relax.
Keep breathing as you read the conclusion of this note...
You are an amazing being, sent here by the divine to achieve great things, which requires sinning. Just as a toddler falls learning to walk.
You are a being of love. With every breath and every tear, you realign with love, your natural state of being.
You are doing the best you can. If you aren’t, you will try again.
The path forward is love. Keep breathing.
Feet on the ground, eyes open and curious, spines resilient, hearts expanding and leading the way.
Be a warrior for love.
Start by taking a breath.
Yours in compassion,
Amy