There is a vast difference between committing stupid and committing sin. Sin is, by definition, a deliberate breech of the directive of God for one’s life. When God says that we are not to do something, and we do that thing because we choose so to do—that is sin. Sin, if not repented for, always leads to death—ALWAYS!

However, there is often behavior without a deliberate bent toward breaking the relationship with God which is innocent and ignorant stupidity. Saint James calls this activity wandering in James 5.19-20: ‘My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth.’ To wander is to walk in areas of life not yet known to the walker; dabbling in the occult by a new Christian comes to mind here.

In this scenario, if a more nearly seasoned believer speaks truth about the evil basis for occult practices; and the wanderer persists in that behavior—that is sin. Hopefully the new Christian turns away from that behavior, or as James says: ‘and someone should bring him back.’ This is proper training in the faith, and sin and death are avoided.

This picture of behavior prior to sinning is simple, and yet profound. Sin is surely a decision, and always a life-or-death decision. James concludes: ‘Remember this: whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.’ As concerned believers our task is right teaching rather than condemnation, but the life-or-death decision is theirs.