Current wisdom tells us that all sin is equal in God's eyes. But those of us who hold oneChristian worldviewwe stubbornly turn to the Bible for insight on any subject. We choose to believe the Bible instead of the truth that our culture maintains. So what does the Bible say about God's view of sin? Is there any difference?
Punishment for violations
When God gave the law to Moses, a distinction was made between the penalties for breaking the law.
Numerous violations of the law were punishable by death. An example is murder: “But if he struck him with an iron object so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer will be put to death” (Numbers 35:16).
For a particular sin, the punishment may vary depending on the situation: 'The judges will investigate diligently, and if the witness is a false witness and has falsely accused his brother, then you shall do to him as he intended to do to his brother to do. Then you will remove evil from among you” (Deuteronomy 19:18-19).
For several other sins, the punishment was expulsion from society: “But whoever eats the flesh of the Lord's peace offering, while there is uncleanness 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 inflicted on children: “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if he had a large millstone around his neck and were drowned in water.” . the depth of the sea” (Matthew 18:6).
Not all sin is the same
While many more examples could be given calling for various sacrifices, ranging from a grain offering to a dove, a sheep, a goat, or a bull, the examples already listed should be sufficient to illustrate that God does not see all sins. the same.
In fact, the book of Proverbs (6:16-19) identifies seven things that God hates, even though there is no penalty for being forbidden. Scripture clearly shows that God views sin differently and that He forbade a different punishment for sin depending on its severity. Although God views sin differently, we now have Jesus to forgive us our sins.
“But when Christ had offered one sacrifice for sins forever, he sat down at the right hand of God” (Hebrews 10:12). Before we blindly accept anything as truth, we must turn to the Bible and let it inform us about what is really true.
What does this mean for us? “Do your best to present yourself to God as approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. All sources cited were accurate at the date of publication.
FAQs
All Sin is not the Same
Are sins the same in God's eyes? ›
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 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.
Are we all equal in the eyes of God? ›
From the parable of the vineyard workers, Jesus sought to teach us we are all equal in the eyes of the Lord, and no one will be favored and placed before another.
Are all sins equal in the eyes of God Catholic? ›
There are several Bible verses that indicate that there is a difference between mortal and venial sin. In 1 John 5:16-17, St. John warns that even though all wrongdoing is sin, not all sins are “deadly.” Therefore, not all sins are equal.
Where in the Bible does it say all sins are equal? ›
As far as I can tell, the most common argument for the belief that all sins are equal comes from James 2:10. It states: “For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” So, according to the argument, it doesn't matter which sin you break.
What sin is unforgivable in God's eyes? ›
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.
Is there any sin too big for God to forgive? ›
Ever since Eve gave into temptation, sin has been inevitable in human nature. We all sin every single day. However, God is forgiving of all sins, big or small, because he loves us and wants to save us from all things evil and all of our sin.
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).
What is the least baddest sin? ›
Lust is generally thought to be the least serious capital sin.
Christ has removed all inequalities. “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). For there is no partiality with God” (Romans 2:11, NKJV).
Does God treat everyone the same? ›
He loves according to his plan, not to anything in us. But isn't that the definition of unfairness? If it's not, then it's contradictory to what the scripture says about God and His love for us. The Bible says God loves all of us the same.
What are the two eyes of God? ›
The Egyptians often referred to the sun and the moon as the "eyes" of particular gods. The right eye of Ra-Horus (merged into the god Ra-Horakhty), for instance, was equated with the sun, and his left eye equated with the moon.
Why does God say all sins are equal? ›
All sin is equally wrong and sinful. Sin equally condemns the sinner, because even the smallest of sins is an expression of rebellion against the Holy God. When we help students understand what sin actually is, then we've helped them understand that sin, at its core, is rebellion against God's sovereign goodness.
Is one sin greater than another? ›
All sins are the same in the sense that each renders a person guilty and worthy of God's wrath. The root of all sin is autonomy and replacement of God with self. However small a sin may seem, it is an assertion that the person is acting independently of God.
Did Jesus see all the sin? ›
But Jesus alone looked toward his death and saw all the all the sin and guilt of man, all the weight of God's holy anger against violence, unfaithfulness, injustice, perversion, cruelty, inhumanity, and unholiness. All of that was what he was about to experience in his death. That was the cup he was to drink.
What are the seven sins in God's eyes? ›
These sins, traditionally categorized as pride, envy, wrath, sloth, avarice, gluttony, and lust, have been depicted in a variety of ways, from allegorical representations to satirical observations of human behavior.
How does God view our sins? ›
God hates sin, not the sinner. He is eternally, fiercely opposed to it and cannot tolerate it in His presence. That's why the Scripture spends so much time speaking about sin. It is our fundamental problem and, if ignored, leaves us to rely on our own futile resources for a solution.
What are the two types of sin in the Bible? ›
An involuntary sin is a sin that we commit because of the weakness of our flesh or because we are ignorant of a law that we are breaking. In other words, these sins are not done deliberately. On the other hand, voluntary sin is done by those who know what they are doing is wrong, but they do it anyway.
What does God consider sin? ›
Meaning of the Word "Sin"
It means to fail or miss the goal. Bible commentator Don Stewart defines sin, according to 1 John 3:4, as lawlessness. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, sin means deviating from obedience to God's character and will.
