Q83. Are all sins equally heinous?
No. Some sins are more heinous in the sight of God than others, because of what they are or the circumstances around them.
Scripture Proofs — King James Version
Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15
“He said furthermore unto me, Son of man, seest thou what they do? even the great abominations that the house of Israel committeth here, that I should go far off from my sanctuary? but turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations. … He said also unto me, Turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations that they do. … Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man? turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.”
John 19:11
“Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”
1 John 5:16
“If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it.”
Parent Guide
Discuss this question together
Discussion Questions
- 1
Are all sins equally bad in God’s eyes?
- 2
If some sins are worse than others, does that mean small sins do not matter?
- 3
Why do you think it matters that we understand some sins are more serious than others?
Illustration
Forgetting to make your bed is different from hitting your brother. Both are disobeying your parents, and both matter. But one causes more harm than the other. God sees all sin as serious, and he also sees that some sins do greater damage.
Application
Because God takes all sin seriously, do not brush off the small ones or despair over the big ones. Both kinds drive you to Jesus for forgiveness. Ask God to help you see your sin clearly and to run to Christ with it.