How do I explain sin to an unbeliever?

In this classic moment from a conference Q&A, R.C. Sproul suggests a straightforward method for explaining the existence of sin to an unbeliever.

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[johannwilder]

As Paul Washer said: "Fish do not know they are wet. Neither do men know they are sinning against a holy God."

[turbofan]

For those of you scoffing at the answer, you are missing R.C's point. The brother KNOWS there is such a thing a sin, as does everyone else. He simply denies it exist when it suits him. But take his wallet or something else he cares about and you will hear something to the effect of, "don't do that!" or, "that's not right! Give it back!" Why shouldn't I do it? Why is it not right? Why should I give it back? No one felt the need to answer because anyone who denies that sin exists is being wilfully ignorant.

[royajunique]

We miss you Sproul. We will meet one day. God bless.

[ckd]

Absolutely a complete answer to the question! Oh how I miss this sensible theologian!

[ligonier]

In this short excerpt from a questions and answers session at our 2014 National Conference, R.C. Sproul suggests one way to explain sin to an unbeliever.

[ryantandy]

If you don't get the joke, click on another video.

[reformedheart]

The point is not that people do not know sin, the point is people do not know God.

[jonathanabraham]

Just sharing my opinion based on what I'm reading in the comments. Feel free to add or critique. The speaker could've mentioned anything else and his point still would've been made. The fact that he mentioned taking the brother's wallet as a parallel to explain sin is simply because willingly doing what is wrong is the definition of sin at its core. Doing wrong against his brother by taking his wallet is essentially magnifying the fact that stealing something is not naturally wired within us because any person second-thinks about taking what is someone else's (i don't think you can rebuttal this point; the moment you do it you feel uncomfortable and sometimes wrong for doing it). Likewise, stealing is not of God's nature and this is why it is both a crime according to the law and a sin in God's eyes. If it weren't, the free gift of Jesus Christ wouldn't have been given unto us if sin, the tool that is used to snatch eternal life from us, like stealing, was just a regular part of our lives and being. Point being made here is, anything that does not glorify or revere the reality of God is opposite to God, and is sin.

[Panhorst]

What is sin?

A. Sin is any want of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God.o

(o) Lev 5:17; Jas 4:17; 1 John 3:4

Sin separates man from God and because of sin the Lord's wrath is upon all of humanity because all are guilty of sin. Sin is lawlessness. Sin causes pain in the lives of people and brings great trouble to all relationships. God loves the world though and he did make reconciliation when he sent Jesus Christ his only begotten son to die on the cross for the sins of many and whoever puts their faith and trust in him will not perish but have everlasting life. Read the gospel it is the truth.

[briankelley]

The Gospel: Christ died for our sins and rose again. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

[crownsoutreach]

Yea. That'll work for sure. Especially the wallet of all things. 

[lmoengaroa]

I needed something a little more profound than that 😂😂😂

[slip]

How about telling him what they did to Jesus

[LucianFromEarth]

Ok, I get the 10 commandments. Breaking them harms other humans (stealing, murdering, cheating etc.), but what exactly does masturbation do to harm another person? Why is that a sin? Why is desiring to have sex with a woman in your mind a sin, if you abstain yourself from doing it, and just release the sexual tension in the bathroom by yourself?

[norbertjendruschj]

Sproul answer seems funny but in reality is clueless. A criminal act is not the same thing as apple eating in Eden.

[donthemessenger]

I have a question. Can a God have an opinion?

[drumrnva]

Nothing was explained. If this was meant to be a moment of levity, then that's fine. But anyone seeking any sort of "explanation" in this video will be disappointed. To explain sin, you'd at least have to talk about how you test for it, how you can tell it is/isn't present, etc.

[HandlingSmilus]

The mic was dropped and is still falling.

[Scottywardgaming]

Sin : read a book - fail to follow the laws of that book - that’s a sin

[chanhtrungle]

Talking less is the primary evidence for a big brain