(Kadamba Kanana Swami, August 2010, Lecture)
We cannot say that the four regulative principles in themselves constitute bhakti or devotional service. These are preliminary activities of renunciation and austerity. When we rise above and become attracted to Krsna and absorbed in devotional service, naturally the regulative principles will be followed!
A pure devotee naturally will not engage in sinful activities. He is not consciously thinking, “I should not engage in these things because they are sinful.” Sinful activities have nothing to do with pleasing Krsna and a pure devotee’s entire life is absorbed in pleasing Krsna.