The Deception of “Sins of Commission and Omission”
By Pastor Joel – Open Heaven Christian Church – Fisher, Arkansas
God’s Word Is Not Vague
Many preachers and teachers today frequently speak of “sins of commission” and “sins of omission” as if sin were a broad, undefined category that God left open to personal interpretation. While the phrases themselves may sound theological, the way they are commonly used is deeply deceptive.
They often replace the clear, named sins found in Scripture with vague generalities that dull conviction and soften the commandment of God to repent and turn away from sin, these itchy ear preachers and teachers soften the word “sin” in order to please their parishioners, when parishioners leave a church assembly because the words “sin” or “repent” offends and convicts them, the tithes and offerings leave also. This is why so many preachers do not preach or teach against sin.
The Bible does not present sin as an undefined moral gray area. God does not say, “You will know sin when you feel it.” He names it. Over and over again, Scripture gives specific lists of behavioral sins, practices, and heart conditions that exclude a person from the Kingdom of God.
There is no unspecificsin of commission or omission in the passages below. What God condemns, He identifies plainly in the scriptures and calls it sin and/or iniquity.
God never left sin undefined. Scripture does not say, “Avoid sin in general.” Instead, God clearly identifies what sin is and what it produces. When teaching becomes vague, deception thrives—and deception always serves the enemy — Satan.
This is why the Apostle John writes:
“He that committeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.”
(1 John 3:8, KJV)
This verse alone dismantles much modern preaching. John does not speak in abstractions. He does not describe sin as an undefined “failure.” He identifies persistent, practiced sin as evidence of alignment with the devil’s works. Christ did not come to excuse sin, rename it, or generalize it—He came to destroy it as we’ve just read. There is hope for sinners, but they must turn away from sin and begin walking in the truth.
“5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”
(1 John 1:5-10, KJV)
When the repent and confess our sins, God forgives us and expects us to walk in the light as He is in the light, and walk in the truth by turning away from sins when one truly repents.
Scripture Clearly Names What Excludes from the Kingdom
The Apostle Paul removes all ambiguity:
“Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived…”
(1 Corinthians 6:9–10, KJV)
Notice the warning: “be not deceived” — Deception is possible, even among those who claim faith. Paul then names the sins—fornicators, idolaters, adulterers, thieves, covetous, drunkards, revilers, extortioners, and others. These are not abstract moral failures; they are defined acts and lifestyles that people are living in.
In Galatians 5:19–21, Paul states that “the works of the flesh are manifest”—meaning they are obvious, visible, and identifiable. He then lists adultery, witchcraft, hatred, wrath, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, and similar practices. He concludes with a firm declaration:
“They which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.”
No mention of vague omissions. No undefined commissions. God speaks plainly in clear about sin.
Holiness Is Not Optional for the Saints
In Ephesians 5:3–5, believers are warned that fornication, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, and coarse jesting should not even be named among saints. These are not merely “mistakes” or “weak moments.” Scripture says those who live in these things have no inheritance in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.
Modern preaching often re-frames these warnings as “struggles” while ignoring the biblical emphasis on repentance, separation, and transformation that God expects every believer to walk in.
The Final and Most Overlooked Sin: Loving Lies
The book of Revelation exposes one of the most dangerous sins of all—deception.
“But the fearful, and unbelieving… and ALL LIARS, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone.”
(Revelation 21:8, KJV)
Revelation 22:15 intensifies the warning: — “Whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.”
This is not merely about telling an occasional falsehood. It is about embracing lies, defending lies, building beliefs on lies, and loving deception. Scripture places liars in the same category as murderers, idolaters, and sorcerers.
This alone should cause every believer to tremble.
A Deceived World Produces Deceived Traditions
The Bible teaches that the whole world is deceived. That means popular traditions, long-standing religious customs, and widely celebrated practices are not automatically aligned with God’s truth.
Many well-known traditions—including major religious celebrations—are grounded in falsehoods, historical distortions, and pagan roots, not the Word of God.
Truth and lies cannot coexist. They do not mix. God does not sanctify error through popularity or emotion.
“Depart from Me”: The Cost of Embracing Iniquity
Jesus warned that many will hear the words but not obey his word:
“But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity.” — (Luke 13:27, KJV)
These are not people who thought they were rejecting God. They are people who believed something false, followed traditions, ignored Scripture, and were deceived—often by teaching that softened sin into vague categories rather than confronting their sins as God defined it — “workers of iniquity.”
Examine Everything for the Sake of Your Soul
This is not a call to fear—it is a call to truth.
Every belief, tradition, and practice must be examined against the spoken and written Word of God, the Holy Scriptures. Do not assume something is right because it is common. Do not assume something is safe because it is preached often. Search the scriptures and you will know the truth.
Your eternal destiny depends on truth, not tradition.
For your soul’s sake, reject deception, love truth, and let God’s Word—not modern teaching—define sin, righteousness, and salvation.
Learn what Jesus taught in scripture:
“She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.”
(John 8:11 KJV)
Conclusion
“1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? 2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?”
(Romans 6:1-2 KJV)
#Sins of Commission and Omission