What is a Willful Sin? Hebrews 10:26

The Bible defines sin as a transgression of the law, 1 John 3:4. Isaiah 59:2 reminds us that sin separates us from God. But what is the “willful sin” found in Hebrews 10:26.

Willful sin is not: 1) a sin committed in an act of weakness or unintentional failure, 2) a sin committed by being deceived, 3) a sin committed by being ignorant, and 4) an inconsistent sin or misunderstanding.

Willful sin is a sin committed by voluntary action of one’s own accord. Willful sin is a persistent disobedience; a blatant rebellion against God’s knowledge of actions/consequences, 1 Sam 15:3, 9, 11, 15, and 21. In the Greek, willful sin indicates an intentional, deliberate, choice-premediated rebellion, Acts 5:1-6. In the Hebrew, willful sin means “with a high hand raise
against God.” We would call it today, presumption, Deuteronomy 17:12.

There can be no doubt that willful sin is a sin of commission that recognizes the opportunity
for evil yet purposefully rejects God’s will, Christ’s sacrifice, and Heaven’s call for salvation.