passive sin

I have, on several occasions, mentioned in sermons that we need to confess and repent of both active and "passive" sins. Recently, I was asked by a person in our church to clarify the term "passive" sin. I thought it would be good to post my answer here for future reference.

To clarify, "active" sin involves actions, words, or thoughts actively committed by an individual. Lying, stealing, gossiping, and being sexually immoral are examples of active sins. On the other hand, "passive" sin involves actions, words, or thoughts committed against an individual. Being slandered, hurt (physically, emotionally, etc), or cursed are examples of being sinned against.

The term "passive sin," then, encompasses the offended who has not committed a sin, but must still deal with the wounds of repercussion. Thus, the offended is a passive victim of sin. Yet passive sin can lead to the offended being in sin if the sin done against them leaves them with a bitter heart, dwelling in anger, and/or living in resentment. Passive sin is, therefore, linked with unforgiveness because those who have been hurt by someone else have a pain or hurt left in their heart and soul. That pain or hurt leaves one feeling down about himself or herself and angry with the offender. Anger lingers and turns into bitterness and resentment, which can be projected on others who have not sinned against them but their words or actions have triggered a memory of being hurt. Consider, for example, a young boy who has an absent father and grows up without having any close guy friends because he doesn't trust men.

At this point, it may seem unfair that a person who has been sinned against can end up in sin as a result of the anger, bitterness, and/or resentment left in his or her heart. However, we cannot view sin as a system of "fair and unfair." Sin does not have rules, does not play favorites, and does not care who, how, or when it affects someone. Here are three points that go along with this understanding.

1. We were all born in sin. It was not our fault that Adam sinned by disobeying God in the Garden of Eden. However, we are still under the curse of sin. It may be understood that we are victims of passive sin as a result of Adam opening the door of sin in our world.

2. "You shall not bow down to (false gods) or worship (idols); for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the fathers to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me" - Exodus 20:5

The children of the 3rd and 4th generation did not do anything wrong, they were not even born yet, but as a result of passive sin, they are under the curse of sin and the consequences thereof.

3. "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold." - Ephesians 4:26-27

Being angry is not necessarily sinful, i.e., a righteous anger. However, being angry opens the door for the devil to have a foothold. So when that anger lingers, it turns into bitterness/resentment, and causes us to dwell in a state of mind/emotion that is not of the Lord. Again, this is not because the person affected by passive sin has done anything wrong or to "deserve" this, but because victims of passive sin have been robbed of joy.

So how does one get released from the effect of passive sin? In some instances, a person or people must confess and repent of the sin caused by people in their family line (see point 2 above). In other instances, one must choose to forgive, even if the offender has not asked, does not care, or is unwilling to admit sin, because the effect of the sin has left a mark. As Christians, we cannot stay in a state of feeling hurt, sorry for ourselves, or angry. We must confess, repent and receive grace in areas of our lives that have been affected by sin so we can feel peace, love, joy and comfort.

Many people need to be released from wounds left by the hurt and pain someone else has caused. Many of us need to be released from bitterness and resentment - an unforgiving heart - toward those who have sinned against us. This, of course, is a process that takes time, some more time than others. We can monitor our progress to see how we are doing on the road to healing. Going back to the example of a boy who needs to forgive his absent father, perhaps he is able to begin having close guy friends and even hug his close guy friends - this shows some healing has taken place.

Healing and forgiveness are complete when we are able to release the person who has sinned against us from the right of being angry with them and the right of getting revenge. Once we have fully released them, we no longer feel the need to be angry but we have let the wound go and are able to look at the person without feeling resentment. It does NOT mean we have to allow that person into our hearts, or be in a place of trust/vulnerability with them. What it does mean is we do not allow what they have done/said to have a negative affect on our hearts and souls any longer.

A good place to start is reading Psalm 59 and praying through the psalm - asking God to forgive you of both active and passive sins. Then, read Psalm 103 and feel comforted by God's willingness to forgive and restore us.