Leviticus 5:1-4 defines three types of sins.

1. The sin of silence and not being our brother's keeper (Lev 5:1)

The “voice of swearing” (Lev 5:1) refers to the voice of one who has sinned. If a person has seen and witnessed the sin of the soul who sinned, and swears that he has not seen and does not reveal the sin, he will bear the iniquity of the soul who sinned. It is our moral obligation to reveal a person’s sin if we witnessed it, because, in God's eyes, it is a sin. The sin must be addressed with the sinner. The name of Christ is at stake when a Christian sins. If we truly love Christ, and care for one another, we would not keep quiet when we witness someone sinning against God. We are to be our brother's keepers, not busybodies.

2. The sin of uncleanness (Lev 5:2-3)

The phrase “hidden from him” (Lev 5:2) has the idea of negligence. When a person realises his negligence, and is guilty, he has to make right before God and man. Ceremonial uncleanness is categorized as a moral issue. If a person deliberately neglects the ceremonial laws, he is guilty of sin, an offence against God. This is because the ceremonial laws point to Christ. The ceremonial laws also show that the people of God are a distinct people: they are holy witnesses for God. Thus, it is very important for the people of Israel to obey the ceremonial laws. While the ceremonial laws do not apply to us Christians today, our outward testimony and the life we live are important. If we do not bear a good testimony, if we do not live a sanctified life, we sin against God. Our Christian life must be distinct from the world.

3. The sin of oath-taking without intention of keeping it (Lev 5:4)

The phrase “hid from him” (Lev 5:4) does not refer to ignorance, but negligence. An example is rash speech. Oaths taken without any intention of fulfilling them are vain and empty promises. The oath-taker is guilty before God. This relates to the Third Commandment concerning the use of God’s name in vain. We must be wise when making vows and oaths. Do not make promises we cannot keep. Not keeping our promises is a sin against God. When we enter into an agreement or contract, we must have the intention of keeping our word.

God sees sin differently from the world. As the Bible defines what sins are, it also provides us a way of restitution. Christ is our sin offering and trespass offering. May we recognise sin and repent of our sins and be restored to God through Christ.