Current wisdom tells us that all sin is equal in the eyes of God. Yet those of us who hold a Christian Worldviewstubbornly turn to the Bible for insight into any topic. We choose to believe the Bible over the truth that our culture maintains. So, what does the Bible say about God’s views on sin? Is there any difference?
The Penalties for Transgressions
When God gave the Law to Moses there were distinctions made in the penalties for breaking the law.
For several transgressions of the Law the penalty was death. One example is murder: “But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death” (Numbers 35:16 ESV).
With some sin the punishment could vary depending upon the situation: “The judges shall inquire diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has accused his brother falsely, then you shall do to him as he had meant to do to his brother. So you shall purge the evil from your midst” (Deuteronomy 19:18-19 ESV).
With several other sins the punishment was exile from the community: “But the person who eats of the flesh of the sacrifice of the Lord’s peace offerings while an uncleanness is on him, that person shall be cut off from his people” (Leviticus 7:20 ESV).
Jesus also made it clear that God especially despises the pain caused to children: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in me to sin, it would be better for him to have a great millstone fastened around his neck and to be drowned in the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6 ESV).
All Sin is not the Same
While there are many more examples that could be provided that call for various sacrifices that could range from a grain offering, to a dove, a sheep, goat or bull, the ones already provided should be enough to illustrate that God does not view all sin as the same.
In fact, the Book of Proverbs (6:16-19) identifies seven things that God hates although there is not any punishment proscribed for those. Scripture clearly indicates that God does view sin differently and that He proscribed a different punishment for sin depending upon its severity. While God does see sin differently we now have Jesus to forgive us of our sin.
“But when Christ had offered for all time a single sacrifice for sins, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12 ESV). Before we blindly accept anything as truth we should turn to the Bible and allow it to inform us of what is really true.
What does this mean for us? “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15 ESV).
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do notnecessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited wereaccurate as of the publish date.
FAQs
All Sin is not the Same
Does God consider all sins equal? ›
The Bible points us in a different direction. Every sin deserves God's wrath and curse (WLC 152), but not every sin is the same in God's eyes.
What is God's view of sin? ›
It's true that sin puts up a barrier between us and God and cuts us off from the fellowship He wants us to have with Him. The Bible says, “But your iniquities [sins] have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
Is every sin a sin against God? ›
Whenever we do so, even in what may seem to us to be very minor ways, we sin against God. All sin is sin against God. All sin against God is grievously wicked and requires immediate repentance. However, you may still not be ready to admit any serious difficulty with sin.
Are all sins connected? ›
Most people are familiar with the five senses: touch, smell, taste, sight, and hearing. But did you know that all five of your senses work together rather than separately? All five senses collaborate to feed information about our surrounding environment into the brain, a concept known as perception.
What does the Bible say about big sin and small sin? ›
Maybe you've tried to convince your parents that a big sin is “no big deal.” It may seem harmless, but Jesus is clear that all sin is a big deal. In Matthew 5: 21-28, Jesus says, “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.
What sins are an abomination to God? ›
Eyes high—tongues false—And hands shedding innocent blood—A heart devising thoughts of vanity—Feet hasting to run to evil—A false witness [who] doth breathe out lies—And one sending forth contentions between brethren” (Young's Literal Translation of the Bible).
What is the biggest sin according to God? ›
One eternal or unforgivable sin (blasphemy against the Holy Spirit), also known as the sin unto death, is specified in several passages of the Synoptic Gospels, including Mark 3:28–29, Matthew 12:31–32, and Luke 12:10, as well as other New Testament passages including Hebrews 6:4–6, Hebrews 10:26–31, and 1 John 5:16.
How does God define sin? ›
Sin is described in 1John 3:4 as a “transgression” of God's spiritual law. The passage reads, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (KJV). One who commits sin violates or disobeys the will of God as revealed in the Bible.
What sins are unforgivable? ›
The blasphemy, or to insult him, means to reject the work he has come to do. So the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, or the unforgivable sin, is the rejection of Christ. Every other sin can be forgiven if you repent of it. But if you reject Jesus Christ, the Bible says, how can you escape if you neglect so.
What's referred to as the “seven deadly sins” are: lust, gluttony, greed, laziness, wrath, envy, and pride. Although all of these things are sinful, no where in the Bible are they called deadly sins, and no where in the scriptures are they compiled into one list.
Does God forgive all sins? ›
You may have felt like your sins are too serious or that you have made the same mistake too many times. But no matter how much we have sinned, we can always repent and be forgiven. Some sins may be easier to correct than others, but Jesus Christ has provided for total forgiveness from all sins. He is eager to forgive.
Which sin is the root of all sins? ›
Lust, envy, anger, greed, gluttony and sloth are all bad, the sages say, but pride is the deadliest of all, the root of all evil, and the beginning of sin.
Did God say all sins are equal? ›
All Sin is not the Same
In fact, the Book of Proverbs (6:16-19) identifies seven things that God hates although there is not any punishment proscribed for those. Scripture clearly indicates that God does view sin differently and that He proscribed a different punishment for sin depending upon its severity.
Does our sins separate us from God? ›
Scripture teaches, “Your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear” (Isa. 59:1-2). But these consequences of sin are not limited only to life on this earth.
Does the Bible say that everyone sins? ›
Romans 3:23-24 23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God's glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.
Are all mortal sins equal? ›
The first condition, that a mortal sin is of grave matter, means that certain premeditated offenses against God are more severe than others. We know that some sins are graver than others (e.g. it is a graver sin to murder someone than to lie to someone).
Where in the Bible does it say no sin is greater than the other? ›
Galatians 3:28 says everyone is equal before God. It doesn't matter your background or if you're rich or poor. This verse ends thinking that one person is better than another because of where they come from. Every sin is the same to God, no matter our differences.
How many different sins are in the Bible? ›
Biblical Sins:
From research we learn that concerning Biblical Sins, there were 500 in the Old Testament and 67 in the New Testament. From www.WordofGodInternationalMinistries.org we see on their website 667 sins with Biblical references.
