What Are Sins and What does the Bible say about sin?
Genesis 4: 7. “If you do what is right, will you not be accepted? But if you do not do what is right, sin is crouching at your door; it desires to have you, but you must rule over it.”
Deuteronomy 9:7 “Remember this and never forget how you aroused the anger of the Lord your God in the wilderness. From the day you left Egypt until you arrived here, you have been rebellious against the Lord.”
The Bible describes sin as lawlessness (1 John 3:4). Even before humankind was created, Sin had its beginning with Lucifer, the most powerful and beautiful angel. Not content with this, he desired to be equal to or higher than God. Satan delivered the opportunity to sin in the Garden of Eden, tempting Eve and Adam with, “you shall be like God.” Ever since, this original sin has been passed through all the generations of humankind. Just as we inherit a fair portion of our characteristics and habits from our parents, we inherit our sinful natures from Adam.
King David bewailed and self-confessed his sinful, inherited nature in Psalm 51:5: “Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.”
Romans 5:12-17 tells us of this death through Adam but also the chance of life through Christ. “Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ. Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—. To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone’s account where there is no law. Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come. But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man’s sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God’s abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
This understanding is reinforced by the words of Romans 6:23, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.'
The Ten Commandments, those that Moses carried down from the mountain provided the “written rules” of God. Now humankind could be legitimately judged against these Commandments. Humans were now subject to death because none of us are capable of not violating the laws of God.
However, thank God, God used the principle of imputation to offer us a path to salvation. Used in legalistic terms, imputed means “to take something from a person and credit it, or charge it to someone else's account.” God imputed the sin of believers to the account of Jesus. The Christ, who paid the full penalty for that sin—death on the cross.
Imputing our sin to Jesus, God treated Christ as if He were a sinner, though He was not. Jesus sacrificed Himself for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). It is crucial to realize Jesus did not inherit sin from Adam. He suffered sin's penalty, but never was His pure and perfect nature stained by sin.
Besides inherited sin, a second type is personal sin. Those sins committed every day by every human being. Because we have inherited a sin nature from Adam, we commit individual, personal sins, everything from seemingly harmless thoughts to the desire to murder.
Another category is sins of omission. These sin would involve not doing what is right or failing to do as instructed. Refusing to share Christ with others, neglecting to pray, or avoiding people in need are examples of sins of omission.
Those individuals who have not placed their faith in Jesus Christ will suffer the full penalty for personal sin, inherited sin, or sins of omission. However, believers have not only been freed from the eternal penalty of sin, but we also have the power to resist sinning. We can choose whether or not to commit personal sins because we have the power to resist sin through pray and the help of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is a comforter but convicts us when we commit sin (Romans 8:9-11). Once we confess our personal or sins of omission to God or Jesus, and ask forgiveness for them, we are restored to perfect fellowship with Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Protestants never consider asking a Priest or Mother Mary to erase our sin. Nowhere in the Bible is there a positive verse concerning their “powers” to mediate, remove or absolve sin.
Thus we are all condemned due to inherited sin, personal sin and sins of omission. Death is the punitive penalty for this sin (Romans 6:23). Not just life's physical death but eternal death (Revelation 20:11-15). Thankfully, these sins have all been wash by the blood of Jesus, and now, by faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior, “we have redemption and the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Are All Sins Equal?
Almost all Christians, if not the majority of all people, have heard and accept all sins are equal. But is that belief Biblically correct? For centuries theologians have sought to quantify the gravity of sin. While most promote ‘unbelief’ as the most egregious sin, some say the most dangerous is lust. Others have differing opinions. Contrary to what many people think, all sin is not the same, nowhere in Scripture will you be able to find that. Some sins are greater than others.
Even though all sins are not the same, any sin qualifies you for an eternity in Hell. It doesn’t matter if you stole a candy bar as a child or lied to your spouse only once. Even if you have sinful thoughts that you never acted upon about your neighbor, the mere thinking of such is sinful. God will judge you because He is holy and you are unholy. All sin is an offense to God. Offenders do not go free.
From the Old Testament, we learn God applied different penalties to various sins, suggesting differing severeness of the sins. Had we been eyewitnesses to the trial of Jesus, we would have seen the chief priests and the elders of the Sanhedrin bind Christ to deliver him to Pontius Pilate. Then, we could have heard Pilate ask Jesus, “Do you refuse to speak to me? Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?”
Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
Yes, sin and thoughts on the repercussions of sin can be confusing. Even without delving into the comparison of ‘sins of omission’ versus ‘sins of commission’, every major religion seems to agree that breaking any of God’s Commandments is a sin. Jewish beliefs hold that there are 613 Commandments, the first ten being similar to both the Catholic and Protestant Ten Commandments. Yet, even between the Catholic and (most) Protestant faiths, these Commandments vary slightly in ideological meaning or sequence. Exodus 20:2-17 and Deuteronomy 5:6-21 reference those differences. Note that in each example the Commandments entail ten distinct verses. Here are the Ten Commandments most Protestants recognize.
1. You shall have no other gods before Me.
2. You shall make no idols.
3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.
4. Keep the Sabbath day holy.
5. Honor your father and your mother.
6. You shall not murder.
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet.
So, breaking any of the above is a sin, but are they or any other sin coequal? How do they compare to, 1 Corinthians 11:4, “Every man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head. But every woman who prays or prophesies with her head uncovered dishonors her head”? What is the purported penalty if you stay at a party where people begin to drink too excess and gorge themselves on too much meat? You know Proverbs 23:20 warns us against this. Some things could be considered a suggestion, as opposed to an outright rule, such as Romans 14:21, “It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything else that will cause your brother or sister to fall.”
Or, is it worse if a man marries his sister, the daughter of either his father or his mother, and they have sexual relations, it is a disgrace? They are to be publicly removed from their people. He has dishonored his sister and will be held responsible. Do not have sexual relations with the sister of either your mother or your father, for that would dishonor a close relative; both of you would be held responsible. If a man marries his brother’s wife, it is an act of impurity; he has dishonored his brother, and they will be childless. Keep all my decrees and laws and follow them, so that the land where I am bringing you to live may not vomit you out. (Leviticus, chapter 20).
Luke 12:47-48 warns, “That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn’t prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating. But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it, will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted.”
Pay heed to those verses. Christians are entrusted! We have heard and know what is expected of us and we should obey by corralling our sin better than those who have not come to know Christ. More is demanded of us. And while we, as “common” Christians are held to a high standard, any teacher of God's Word is evermore expected to live stringently to the highest of standards.
Christians can’t ignore our own sin against God, nor live a continuously sinful lifestyle. That would show we never truly accepted Christ.
1 John 1:6, If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 1 John 3:8-10,“The one who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil’s work. No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God’s seed remains in them; they cannot go on sinning, because they have been born of God. This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love their brother and sister.”
Mark 7:21-23, “For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person.” Hebrews 10:26 “For if we go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins.”
Is there an unpardonable sin? Matthew 12:31-32 Therefore I tell you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven people, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven. And whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the age to come.
Now blasphemy is defined by the dictionary as; the act or offense of speaking sacrilegiously about God. The unpardonable sin of blasphemy of the Holy Spirit was when the Pharisees rejected Him. After hearing of, or seeing him fulfill, biblical prophecies they had explicit proof Jesus was God. Yet they refused to acknowledge him as God. They denied Him and attributed his many miracles to Satan, Thus they accused him of being demon-possessed.
Although there are other types of blasphemy, rejection of God is the only unforgivable sin. Today the only thing a Christian has to worry about is rejecting Christ.
If individuals die without repenting and believing in Jesus Christ, they are guilty before a Holy and just God and they will suffer God’s wrath in hell–for all eternity. As a sinner in need of a Savior, no one is worthy enough to get into Heaven on their own merits. All, without the redeeming blood of Jesus, are unrighteous before God. It does not matter how many good works you completed during your life on earth. Those will increase your rewards in heaven but have no effect on your salvation or condemnation.
Your only hope is in the Lord Jesus Christ. He died, was buried, and was resurrected. When you truly accept Christ, you will still encounter new and old desires, but you begin to change and grow in grace. Don’t commit the unforgivable sin, do not reject the Holy Trinity. Believe the gospel of Christ and you shall be saved.
Within the examples in this essay, penalties for different sins require varying redress or indemnification. Here are a few more divergences. A person arrested for starting a destructive fire may have to pay restitution, perform community service, or serve time in jail. If anyone steals from a neighbor’s house, the thief, so says the Bible, when caught, must pay back double. A sorceress must not be allowed to live. Anyone who has sexual relations with an animal is to be put to death. “Whoever sacrifices to any god other than the Lord must be destroyed as are those who committed adultery or a homosexual act or cursed his parents. (Exodus, chapter 22). Perceived political correctness can not force me to remove the words “homosexual act.” But sex outside of marriage performed by heterosexuals is sin as well.
The sins of Sodom were identified in Ezekiel 16:1-59 as prostitution, promiscuity, slaughtering children, bribery, illicit favors, arrogance, gluttony, indifference to the poor and needy, haughtiness, and “detestable idols.” Yet, in verses 60-63, God said he would make atonement for all they have done and they would remember and be ashamed and never again open their mouths because of their humiliation.
Jesus said it would be more bearable on the day of judgment for Sodom than for Capernaum because of Capernaum’s unbelief and refusal to repent after witnessing His miracles (Matthew 11:23-24).
Christ's forgiveness is our only hope. However, for Christians that hope is assured.
Matthew 22:34-40 says, Hearing that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, the Pharisees got together. One of them, an expert in the law, tested him with this question: “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”
Since there is a “first” and “second” commandment, doesn’t their very creation indicate breaking the first commandment is more grievous than compromising the lessor?
So, let’s use more of the Bible to research the topics addressing additional sins. Here are more identified sins, as named or implied. Proverbs 6:16-30, New King James Version (NKJV) These six things the Lord hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
If the Lord hates those, wouldn’t you think it must be sinful to employ any of them? But even as you review that list, do you judge or acknowledge them to be equally wrong? Equally sinful?
Then, according to Christian tradition, there are seven deadly sins; lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. Let’s look at these individually and discuss what should eradicate them or, at least, control them somewhat.
Lust is a powerful passion or longing, especially for sexual desires. The Bible speaks about lust in 2 Timothy 2:22, “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love [and] peace....” Chastity or self-control can cure lust by suppressing humankind's sinful desires.
Gluttony is excessive eating or drinking. 1 Corinthians 10:31 says, “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.” Moderation and sobriety combat gluttony by strengthening the desire to be healthy, therefore making one fit to serve others.
Greed is an excessive pursuit of worldly goods. Hebrews 13:5 says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have...” Charity supersedes greed by putting the desire to help others rather than collecting treasures for one’s self.
Sloth is excessive laziness or failing to employ one’s talents. Solomon spoke of sloth in Proverbs 6:6, saying, “Go to the ant, you sluggard! Consider her ways and be wise.” Exuberance and eagerness replace slothfulness by placing the interest of others above a lazy life of easiness and relaxation.
Wrath is a wave of strong anger, and hate expressed towards another person. The Bible speaks about wrath in Romans 12:19, “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Kindness and calmness are remedies to guard your tongue before speaking ill words or acting in instant anger.
Envy is a consuming desire to have what someone else possesses. This could be wealth, good looks, fame, new cars, or any number of other coveted categories. The Bible says the following in Proverbs 14:30, “A sound heart is life to the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.” Contentedness and serenity can subdue envy by lessening the desire to gather what others have.
Pride is self-admiration and self-glorification. The Bible says the following in Jeremiah 9:23-24, “... let not the mighty man boast of his might...but let him who boasts, boast of this, that he understands and knows Me...” Demonstrating humility restricts pride by pacifying a boastful ego for ‘Good pride’ represents our dignity and self-respect while ‘bad pride’ is a deadly sin of superiority reeking of conceited arrogance.
So, do you believe that any item of the seven troublesome traits listed is equal among themselves or to the other sins named? My human nature feels that they are not at all equal. How can any rationally thinking person believe that “gluttony” is equally sinful as “shedding innocent blood”?
The early church classified the seven deadly sins as cardinal sins or capital vices and taught that they could not be forgiven. However, according to the Bible, these sins are completely and totally forgivable by God, but this doesn’t give free license to commit these sins. Biblically, the only sin that cannot be forgiven is a complete rejection of God’s grace, which is outright rebellion against God, also known as blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Yes, even the clergy can be guilty of sin. Matthew 23:14 speaks of Jesus saying, “How terrible it will be for you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You devour widows’ houses and say long prayers to cover it up. Therefore, you will receive greater condemnation!”
In John, chapter 19, we learn that when Pilate asked, “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” Jesus then answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore, the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
If I was a lawyer, trying to prove that all sins are not equal, I would rest my case on the words that Jesus Christ stated above. If Jesus himself unreservedly implied that Pilates’ sin was less than “the one who handed me over to you.” Doesn’t that specifically validate that all sins are not equal? How can anyone argue that “all sins are equal”?
While not equal to each other, there are several things any sin has in common with every other. Sins, small or great, will deliver us to hell forever if we are separated from God’s grace. All sins separate us from God. And, detached from God, the punishment for any single sin is death for all eternity. Therefore, all sins are coequal terms of being destructive, an offense against God, and demand our death as a punishment.
In human considerations it seems obvious that some sins are worse than others in both seriousness and consequence and should be judged accordingly. I believe this is true. Romans 3:23 speaks an absolute truth, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” The judgment for all sins, as a Christian, is undeserved absolution, meaning all our sins are paid for by the Holy innocent blood of Jesus Christ. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This applies to all sin, whether in thought, word, or deed, past, present, or future.
Paul, in his many writings, tells us the wrongdoings of humankind are everywhere. He is talking to Christians when he says (1 Corinthians 6:9–10), “Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.” Then he adds, in verse 11, “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”
Remember, there is no such thing as hidden sin. Endeavoring to conceal sin from God is like running from your shadow. You can never escape until you find yourself immersed in total darkness. Then, guess what–it is far too late to repent, and nobody can pay indulgences to free you from hell's eternal sufferings.
God knows everything, so don't try to hide anything. Family, friends, or co-workers might not know your sin, but God does. All the skeletons in your closet should be confessed and repented because unconfessed sin places barriers between yourself and God.
Another perilous attribute of attempting to hide your sins is that you might believe you’re getting away with it. Can you see how this may purposely lead to sinning more and more? Those are deadly tactics in which no Christians should engage.
Do you try to fool yourself? Do you think your sins are not actually hurting anyone? If you lie about or exaggerate your accomplishments, who does that hurt? If your pride causes you to reveal that you made a large donation to church or charity, so what? If you steal a candy bar what's the harm? If you rob a store won't their insurance cover it? You may think watching porn is a victimless habit?
In some of the illustrations above, you may feel you have caused no harm to anybody. But in every listed instance and with every sin you commit you have sinned against God. All sins are an affront to God. No sin is acceptable.
As a Baptist, I believe in “once saved, always saved.” Is your salvation secure? If you think you are saved but engage in repetitive sin–you may not be saved. Reoccurring, unrepentant sin may be the sign you are not a true believer, never having accepted Christ as your personal Savior in the first place. Repent! Resist sin! Pray to Jesus that your faith may be a true faith. Instead of habitually sinning, behave morally, live virtuously, look for ways to do good deeds and act charitably.
Lay down that burden. Confess your sins today!
Yes, Christians can be accused, convicted, and cleansed of all sins, be they equal or not, through faith in the Grace of God and the blood of Jesus Christ.
Jesus is the only way we can be saved.
Congratulations! You have reached the end of this essay!
The choices are now yours to make!
