Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17 NASB
We usually think of sin in terms of things we do that displease God, but some times it’s our failure to act that God finds offensive.
For I have told him that I am about to judge his house forever for the iniquity which he knew, because his sons brought a curse on themselves and he did not rebuke them. 1 Samuel 3:13 NASB
When Eli heard about the wicked things his sons were doing, he asked them why they were doing such things, and he even counseled them against continuing, but Eli failed to rebuke his sons and take the action necessary to bring them under control. Since Eli didn’t handle the situation, God took care of it. Israel was defeated in battle and thirty thousand soldiers died, including Eli’s son’s. When he heard the news, he fell to his own death, as did his son’s pregnant wife.
Years later, King David made a similar mistake, when his son, Amnon raped his sister Tamar. 2 Samuel 13:21 tells us, “Now when King David heard of all these matters, he was very angry.” While David’s anger was justified, it simply wasn’t enough. David should have taken appropriate action against Amnon for what he did to his sister. Two years later, Tamar’s brother, Absolom, took maters into his own hand and ordered his servants to kill Amnon. David’s relationship with Absolom from that time forward was filled with betrayal, tragedy and pain. Perhaps if David had rebuked Amnon from the start, he could have spared his family some of the tragedy they endured.
And that slave who knew his master’s will and did not get ready or act in accord with his will, will receive many lashes. Luke 12:47 NASB
When we clearly know God’s will, we are wise to act upon it.