This is a tough subject and I hesitate to write about it because I don’t want to cause more confusion than help, but I think we need to think it through. I have always reacted against the way some religions make some sins worse than others because sin is sin. Therefore, all sin needs the blood of Jesus to cover it. In that way there is no worse or less bad sin. But is each sin truly equally bad? I know 1 Samuel 15:23 says, “Rebellion is as the sin of divination, and arrogance like the evil of idolatry.” Lord said, “He who lusts after a woman hath already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28). Each statement was to prevent people from minimizing their rebellion/arrogance or lustful thoughts by saying, “Well, at least I didn’t act on that.” God says we should know the severity of such wrong thoughts and harsh attitudes. God looks at the heart, and that’s where I think sins differ. God Himself list some sins He hates more than others in Proverbs 6:16-19.
We know sin starts in the heart (James 1:14-15; Matthew 15:19) and the action follows. That’s why lust is sinful just like adultery and hate is sinful just like murder. But the act of adultery or murder take the thought much further, therefore there is more awareness and accountability and deeper consequences. We are all tempted with sinful thoughts, which we often give in to, but that does not give us an excuse to commit an act of sin because we have already thought it. “I might as well just do it and get it over with” is a lie straight from the pit. Anger at a mate you deeply love when they hurt you is not the same as anger that takes a gun and kills dozens of school children.
On this subject, Billy Graham said, “It seems obvious that some sins are worse than others, both in motivation and effects, and should be judged accordingly. Stealing a loaf of bread is vastly different (from) exterminating a million people. Sins may also differ at the root.”
Stealing is stealing, some would say. Not necessarily. In Scripture times, the poor of the land would come behind reapers taking what fell off the wagon, would gather around the edges of the fields, and would be granted the right for a second harvest (after the owners gathered the first one).
The midwives in Egypt lied about killing Jewish newborn babies when they let them live. David lied when he said he was going to worship God but was really just running away from Saul. That doesn’t mean these things are OK, they are not. It’s just that everything isn’t simple black and white. I’m glad God is my judge and not another human being for He sees my heart and knows the extent of my guilt depending on my awareness, accountability and motive.
Scripture teaches degrees of punishment at Judgment. Some people will have it easier than others. Sodom’s punishment will be lighter than Capernaum’s since Sodom’s opportunities were so few and Capernaum rejected the greatest Teacher ever (Matthew 11:23-24). Jesus said some who deserved punishment would receive “many blows” and others “few blows” (Luke 12:47-48), depending on what they did with the opportunities they were given. He pronounced a more severe condemnation on religious leaders for their pride and unbelief than on those in darkness who were sexually immoral (Matthew 23:13). Some are more accountable than others, and that makes them more responsible.
I’m sure I’ve stirred up your thinking, and that you may not agree with me, but please listen to my application. 1. Don’t make any sin ‘less’ or ‘little.’ Each sin was inflicted on Jesus on the cross. Know that the smallest sin is terrible and unforgiveable in the sight of a righteous God without the blood of Jesus. 2. But do recognize the even worse, more horrendous consequences of planned, premeditated, continued, purposeful evil against a human being that God created in His image and loves. Don’t lesson “small” sins but do recognize the extreme evil of other sins. And remember Jesus paid for it all and will forgive it all, not matter how awful, if asked to do so. I don’t know about you, but this helps me appreciate even more the work of Jesus on the cross for me and the greatness of His forgiveness of my sins – for I have many very large sins which have been forgiven? What about you?
Are you sometimes tempted to see some sins as “not so bad”? That’s not true.
Are you sometimes tempted to feel better about yourself because you don’t commit some of the really terrible, gross sins others commit?
Do you see anyone and being beyond God’s forgiveness?
Christian Training Organization
Jerry@ChristianTrainingOrganization.org
(India & Africa & Spanish Outreach, Spiritual Warfare, Family Ministries, Counseling, World View)
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