The words sin and iniquity are terms often used in scripture. Do they mean the same thing? Yes and no. Both are related to doing bad things or going against what is considered right. They have slightly different meanings and scripture makes a distinction between the two, so it is important to know this difference when walking out our faith. Let's break it down.
**Sin can be defined as a wrong action that goes against God's rule of law or His moral principles. It is usually seen as something you do, think, or feel. Sin is an individual wrong. It’s the moment you lie, steal, commit adultery, harm someone, take the Lord's name in vain, etc. It's desire or lust turned into action. In each of these cases, a person makes the choice to do something wrong. This is the world. We are all guilty of sin.
**Iniquity on the other hand is a deeper and more serious kind of wrong especially concerning a so-called person of faith. Iniquity is when a person doesn't commit just any sin but he or she develops a likeable, intentional, repetitive cycle of that unabashed sin, continuing in it without remorse, guilt, or any forward intention of repenting or wanting to change (AND HERE'S THE KEY ) .. it's habitual despite knowing God's law regarding what they are doing.
Simply said:
Sin = A wrong action against the law of God. We've all missed the mark (Romans 3:23)
Iniquity = A pattern of doing wrong and repeatedly doing wrong when you know it's against God's WORD.
Word to the growing Christian, If you steal something once (sin) even if out of need, you might feel bad about it and not do it again. You repent, ask forgiveness, and move on. But that same Christian, if you steal something as an example, do it over and over and over knowing it's wrong and without ever feeling convicted, guilty, or repentant, it’s more than just a bad action, it’s iniquity. A quick example might be pre-marital sex but the excuse is made, "but we're in love and we're going to get married anyway so it can't be wrong." Dear Christian, fornication is fornication. God never compromises His laws.
It's important to note, though the word "iniquity" appears in scripture several times, it does especially when God is describing judgment or punishment. God is angered by iniquity and addresses habitual or deeply ingrained sin warning it leads to judgment. In Luke 13:27 Jesus is speaking, "Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity." Meaning? The following verse is similar: Matthew 7:23 Jesus said He will say to people who desire to be let in heavens door and who believe their on claim to have followed and believed in Him, "And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity." Notice Jesus didn't say He knew them once, or a long time ago, He said NEVER KNEW! Habitual sinner you were never saved even if you went through all the motions. Iniquity keeps you outside the Kingdom walls. Jesus uses the words, "you that work iniquity" OR "workers" of iniquity, indicating habitually working in sin often masking their behavior under a pretense of goodness. Further, a "worker" is someone who invests effort into doing, planning, and practicing evil deeds.. Psalm 6:8 points this out as does Matthew 7:23. It implies lifestyle of repeated active rebellion against righteousness, rather than just occasional mistakes, slips, or a temporary lapse in judgment or failure. If you claim to be Christian, faithfully going to church each week, studying the Bible, being a good person, even being baptized, yet you are habitually sinning without repentance and turning from it, you are caught up in iniquity. You need to repent while there's still time. Jesus is coming soon.
Until He Comes-
-Pat-
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