Most of us have been taught, or at least we have come to believe, there are no absolute moral standards. Contrary to this, as strange as it seems, there is one unbreakable rule. We must not impose our own morality upon others. As a result, folks caught up in modern life find it almost impossible to define sin. In fact, we easily come to the place of believing there is no such thing.

Oddly enough, this rubs us the wrong way. Our consciences don’t stop bothering us when we do something “wrong.” Why? The answer is simple. Absolutes do exist. When we violate these absolutes, we sin. The Bible is quite clear. “Sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4). Laws are ethical standards. God’s standards are summarized in the Ten Commandments. When we violate these standards, we sin. We sin against God. King David took another man’s wife. Later he confessed this to God. “Against you, you only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4).

We may think we have kept the Ten Commandments. Remember, God’s requirements are just summarized in these commandments. For example, cutting remarks and calling someone “stupid” are like stabbing that person with words. Yes, sin is real. God has defined it. No one is free from it. We are all involved in it. Our consciences testify to its existence.