Sin is a confused term which differs from religion to religion, sect to sect and denomination to denomination. The general idea is verb: transgress, err, trespass, offend, noun: trespass, guilt, offense, transgression, offence, fault, wrongdoing, crime, error, evil.
About 25 years ago I was taught sin is an archers term, "missing the mark" - the mark is the dot in the middle of the target. So sinning is more about missing something than hitting something it. Example: is you know to do right and do wrong, you have missed the mark. I cant find any documentation on that sin was an archers term so I have to assume it is not relevant. Jesus did speak
Here is what scholar Hitchcock had to say: Term: Sin
Description: is "any want of conformity unto or transgression of the law of God" (1 John 3:4; Rom. 4:15), in the inward state and habit of the soul, as well as in the outward conduct of the life, whether by omission or commission (Rom. 6:12 17; 7:5 24). It is "not a mere violation of the law of our constitution, nor of the system of things, but an offence against a personal lawgiver and moral governor who vindicates his law with penalties. The soul that sins is always conscious that his sin is (1) intrinsically vile and polluting, and (2) that it justly deserves punishment, and calls down the righteous wrath of God. Hence sin carries with it two inalienable characters, (1) ill desert, guilt (reatus); and (2) pollution (macula).", Hodge`s Outlines.
The moral character of a man`s actions is determined by the moral state of his heart. The disposition to sin, or the habit of the soul that leads to the sinful act, is itself also sin (Rom. 6:12 17; Gal. 5:17; James 1:14, 15).
The origin of sin is a mystery, and must for ever remain such to us. It is plain that for some reason God has permitted sin to enter this world, and that is all we know. His permitting it, however, in no way makes God the author of sin.
Adam`s sin (Gen. 3:1 6) consisted in his yielding to the assaults of temptation and eating the forbidden fruit. It involved in it, (1) the sin of unbelief, virtually making God a liar; and (2) the guilt of disobedience to a positive command. By this sin he became an apostate from God, a rebel in arms against his Creator. He lost the favour of God and communion with him; his whole nature became depraved, and he incurred the penalty involved in the covenant of works.
