The Nature of Sin and How it Relates to Repentence

Common Definitions of Sin: Doing something bad, breaking commandments of God.

A great majority of individuals have an oversimplified view of sin. It is commonly defined as doing something bad, something that harms other people, or something that goes contrary to God's commandments. For example, if I punch my brother, insult a friend, or steal from the store, these actions would typically be classified as sins and we naturally feel a need and even desire to repent.

Repentance According to this scenario: Feel bad, say you're sorry and try to stop doing the negative action. 

When we talk about grievous sins like murder, rape, or adultery, the repentance process holds consistent. Feel really bad, be really sorry, and try extra hard to stop doing the negative action.

This is true. Those actions are sins and we have need to repent when we commit them, but the definition of sin and the scenarios above greatly simplify and cheap the true definition and experience of repentance.

According to the definitions, and scenarios above, do we feel a need to repent if we don't hit, lie, cheat, steal, or kill? No, what do we have to feel bad about and be sorry for? What negative action would we try to stop doing?

Sin is viewed as something that only bad people do and repentance is viewed as a punishment for those people. Because of these cheapened definitions of sin and repentance, we underestimate the sin that has infiltrated our hearts and we drastically underestimate our need to repent.

President Nelson recently said:

When Jesus asks you and me to repent, He is inviting us to change our mind, our knowledge, our spirit - even the way we breathe. He is asking us to change the way we love, think, serve, spend our time, treat our wives, teach our children, and even care for our bodies.

When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We allow the Savior to transform us into the best version of ourselves. We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy = the joy of redemption in Him. When we choose to repent, we choose to become more like Jesus Christ! 

Repentance isn't just about saying sorry and trying to make things right when you've done wrong. It is about changing who we are. It is about casting off all that is fallen and contrary to the divinity of God and being born again.

Now that we have expanded our definition of repentance, our original view of sin needs to be expanded as well.

Sin: Beliefs, stories, thoughts, and actions that are contrary to the nature of God.

Let's let that definition sink in for a moment. Sin is the word we use to describe beliefs, stories, thoughts, and actions that are contrary to the nature of God. Sin is an attitude, mindset or belief system that is different than God's.

Anytime we choose something, whether it be consciously or subconsciously, contrary to God's nature, we naturally distance ourselves from Him.

Holding onto a story or belief that leaves you believing that you're not worthy of love, or you'll never be enough is sin. It is sin because the story or belief is keeping you from living a life more aligned with the nature of God.

We all have need of repentance. Every single day. It is the process of grace filled love that can transform our beliefs, stories, thoughts and actions to be perfect, even as our Father's beliefs, stories, thoughts and actions are perfect.

In Conclusion:

Sin is more accurately defined as beliefs, stories, thoughts, and actions that are contrary to the nature of God.

Repentance can be defined as changing and transforming our beliefs, stories, thoughts and actions so that they align with the nature of God.

It requires hard work and intentionality and delivers a reward worthy of the work required. A fullness of joy, a rush of heightened communication and revelation with the divine, and the sensation of progression within your heart and mind.