Missing the Mark
What If Sin Isn’t About Behavior, But Being?
Table of Contents
For years, I saw “sin” as a list of bad choices—breaking God’s rules, stepping out of line, racking up mistakes on a spiritual scorecard. The pressure was relentless: keep the list short, repent quickly, and pray you’re “right” with God at the end. But what if we’ve been missing the deeper truth? What if sin isn’t about what we do—but who we are?
How We’ve Been Taught to See Sin
Most of us grew up thinking sin is about behavior: wrong actions, thoughts, or choices. The Greek word hamartia, often translated as “sin” in the New Testament, is commonly defined as “missing the mark”—like an archer failing to hit the target. This view turned sin into a moral checklist, fueling a guilt-driven system of behavior management.
But this focus on rules misses something deeper. Scripture suggests sin’s consequences aren’t divine punishment but the natural result of living disconnected from our true selves:
Romans 8:2:
“For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.”James 1:15:
“Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.”John 8:34:
“Jesus answered them, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin.’”
Sin leads to bondage and decay—not because God pushes us away, but because we drift from the life we were created for. The behavior-focused view persists because rules are easier to measure than identity, and fear of chaos drives us to control actions. Yet scripture points to a profound truth: sin is more than mistakes—it’s a rupture in who we are.
A Deeper Look at Hamartia
Let’s unpack hamartia. In ancient Greek stories, it meant a tragic mistake that led to a hero’s downfall. Early Christians adapted it to describe sin, but its roots may go deeper. Some scholars suggest hamartia combines ha- (like “dis-,” meaning separation) and martia (from meros, meaning “portion” or “origin”). Sin, then, isn’t just missing the mark—it’s disconnection from our divine origin, a forgetting of our God-given identity.
The Old Testament echoes this. Hebrew words for sin like chatta’ah (“missing the way”), pesha‘ (“rebellion”), and ‘avon (“iniquity”) describe more than bad behavior—they point to straying from God’s path, breaking relationship, and distorting the divine image within us. Sin is less about rule-breaking and more about identity-breaking.
“Sin is the failure to realize what we are and the good that is our nature.”
Sin as Spiritual Amnesia
Think of the prodigal son. He didn’t just make bad choices—he lived as if he didn’t belong in his father’s house. Sin is like that: spiritual amnesia, forgetting we’re God’s children. It’s not rebellion for its own sake but a departure from our true nature. Early Christian thinkers saw it this way too:
Origen: “The soul that departs from God falls into sin, not by being punished, but by turning toward nothingness.” (On First Principles)
Gregory of Nyssa: “Sin is the result of the soul forgetting its nature.” (The Great Catechism)
When we miss the mark, we don’t need punishment—we need realignment. Freedom from sin comes from remembering who we are:
“God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works” (Ephesians 2:10).
Walking in the Spirit isn’t about effort—it’s about waking up from the fog of identity amnesia.
Coming Home
So, what now? If sin is disconnection from our divine essence, then people aren’t evil—they’re lost (Luke 15:24), caught in delusion (Romans 1:21), or trapped in false identities (Colossians 3:9–10). Our call isn’t to condemn but to remind others of their meros—their portion in God.
Here’s how to start:
Pause and Reflect: When guilt or shame hits, affirm your identity: “I am God’s child, created for wholeness.” Try this daily as a simple prayer.
Share the Truth: When someone feels defined by their mistakes, gently remind them they carry God’s image, made for love and purpose.
The Gospel isn’t about escaping punishment—it’s about coming home. It’s a call to reclaim our divine identity, to live from the love, joy, and peace that flow from our Creator (Galatians 5:22–23). Let’s proclaim this truth, because one day, we all will remember (John 1:9).
And yes, that’ll preach.
FAQs
What does sin mean?
The Greek word hamartia, often translated as “sin” in the New Testament, is commonly defined as “missing the mark”—like an archer failing to hit the target.
What does hamartia mean?
The Greek word hamartia, often translated as “sin” in the New Testament, is commonly defined as “missing the mark”—like an archer failing to hit the target.
What are the words for sin in the Old Testament?
Hebrew words for sin like chatta’ah (“missing the way”), pesha‘ (“rebellion”), and ‘avon (“iniquity”) describe more than bad behavior—they point to straying from God’s path, breaking relationship, and distorting the divine image within us.
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