Why do so many Christians pick and choose what sins are bad?

Question

Maybe I'm missing something but I was taught that In the eyes of God, one sin is not worse than another. In the eyes of man murder is much worse than adultery or lying; stealing is much worse than taking the Lord's name in vain. But in the eyes of God, these are all equally sinful. One is NOT worse than the other.

Unfortunately, many people are quick to condemn others for sinful behaviour. We will shake our fist at a murderer or a thief and say "how dare they," yet we have no qualms about doing housework, working on the car or cutting the grass on the weekend -- which, according to the 10 Commandments, is also a sin.

Not trying to preach from the pulpit here, folks, I just think we need to look at ourselves deeper before we condemn others.

Peace.

Answer 1

Here is what the scripture says..

Mark 3:28-30
Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith soever they shall blaspheme:
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.

Knowing this to point a finger and say that man is a sinner because he does________ (filling the blank). They are out of line. Those sins are covered by the blood of Christ. But to blaspheme Him saying He is unclean. This is saying He isn't who he said He is and has no power to save mankind as well as saying he has a demon, it's the same thing... Both deny Him and the power of the Holy Spirit to make that known to your heart... This is the only sin that a person will stand before God to be judged for at the end... Nothing else matters... Jim

Answer 2

You make a good point, but -
I have a bit of a problem with your example.
First of all, I would need to have some biblical proof that all sins are equally bad.
Second, I would need proof that God has changed His mind since the epistle to the Hebrews was written, which states first of all that the Sabbath is accomplished in our relationship with Christ (we have entered into the sabbath) and that the laws of the Old testament were a "shadow of things to come" - all accomplished in Christ. Otherwise, we would also be under the obligation to still offer sacrifices, etc.
On the other hand, you make a valid point when you say we Christians are too prone to pick and choose what sins to condemn. We are quick to point the finger at someone guilty of sexual immorality, but we don't pay all that much attention to financial immorality - we say, or think: "Oh well, everyone slips up...", when the Bible may actually say more about the latter.
We are often more concerned about sexual mores than about the oppression of the poor, and of children.... We really do need to get our act together.
EDIT:
To get back to my first point, Jesus was much harsher on the hypocrisy of the pharisees than he was on the immorality of prostitutes. I wonder if it was because he saw that the former was preventing others from entering the Kingdom of God? Also the level of personal responsibility and therefore accountability?
In any case, he did show different attitudes to different forms of sin.

Answer 3

Sin is sin. And one lie will keep you out of heaven if there is not repentence or forgiveness just like a murder would keep you out if there is no forgiveness or repentence. All sin separates man from God forever- so without forgiveness of sin, any sin- you will not enter heaven. Remember now, we are under a New Covenant- and the Laws are still important but we are under grace now, through Jesus Christ. The Law shows people they have sinned against God- it is like a school master- this brings one to repentence when they understand the gospel. Just as Jesus taught in the Gospels. He used the Law to show people their sin. But yes- any sin will separate you from God- not just one that is worse than another. However the Bible does say that on Judgment Day- everyone will be judged differently- so dont confuse the two.

Ezekiel 18:4
Behold, all souls are mine; the soul of the father as well as the soul of the son is mine: the soul who sins shall die.

Ezekiel 24:14
I am the LORD. I have spoken; it shall come to pass; I will do it. I will not go back; I will not spare; I will not relent; according to your ways and your deeds you will be judged, declares the Lord GOD."

Answer 4

You are absolutely right. If you believe that everything that God said in the Bible is true then there are many things that people do that are considered by God to be a sin. Of course, men have decided what is really a sin and what is not throughout history to suit there own wants or desires. Such as priests molesting children or being homosexual. The Bible clearly states that they are both sins. Yet, many priests continue to sin and not care about who they hurt. There is so much hypocrisy in the world. When anything goes bad these people blame the "devil". When something good happens they praise God. We are all responsible for our own actions. Good or bad. As the Bible says "Those without sin can cast the first stone."

Answer 5

"""yet we have no qualms about doing housework, working on the car or cutting the grass on the weekend -- which, according to the 10 Commandments, is also a sin.""" - your phrase

How is this a sin? How are we to take care of our house and needs? Leave the grass uncut? No repairs on the roof if it rains?

Please understand the need for sabbath but understand six days to work, one rest. Five days to earn pay, one day for housework, one day for God and fellowship.
Is that hard to do?

Answer 6

We should be careful not to judge others, and it is also true that if you have broken one part of the law you have broken the whole law and need a Savior.....however, I don't believe the Bible states anywhere that all sins have the same weight. I think the key is to not judge someone as being worse than us because they have committed a worse sin than us. Because only God is qualified to judge the individual. But we can make judgments about behavior. And surely some sins are worse than others.

Answer 7

Ohmigosh are you really trying that? A sin to do housework on the weekend?

Take a day from the week and devote it all to your father. No work no play just praise and rest. It does not have to be a specific day just a day you are able to devote to your father.

And for that all sins are bad one is not greater than the other. God Bless. Love. Amen.

Yeah your right we should not be quick to condemn others, we should speak with love and kindness, but let us not dress the words with only syrup, but be firm a truthful to snap open their eyes and strengthen their backs. Other words they need to wake up God is real and honey Jesus is coming.

Answer 8

This problem is not just a Christian thing my friend.. it's happens with all religions and walks of life.

Some people just like to 'assess the situation' of people when they have nothing better to do, or feel they can help. You can call it being judgmental or condemning... but really it's just people having an opinion. And I do not mean calling people 'sinners' , I mean in general terms of helping people.

A simple way to look at it is, we don't have the power to judge anybody to the point where one is being punished... so who really cares? We are however, entitled to free speech and free will (to a certain extent) and we have the right to say whatever we want, and in some cases it may help others.. so why not?

How typical... hypocrites cover the globe from East to West...North to South including every single one of you. We can talk the talk but it is merely impossibly to not make judgements, can you walk the walk? Impossible. YOU DO IT ALL THE TIME, admit it people... you and you and ME and even you. yes you. Keep it real folks.

Yes a sin is a sin. But opinions are just opinions. And the bad fact of the day is: Christian people are some of the most judgemental people in the world.

Answer 9

Sin is Sin. No matter if you murder someone or if you steal from someone its a sin. Sin is what keeps us either lost and sin is what takes us from the fellowship with God and Jesus. Even though I sin i know its wrong. If I quote some thing from the bible about someone sinning then its God pointing it out to them. But I agree I should work on me not concern myself with what others do.

Answer 10

You are correct - no sin is worse than another in God's eyes.

James 2:10 For whosoever keepeth the whole law, and yet offends in one point, he is guilty of all.

That being said, as a Christian, we should be doing our best to not sin at all, but in the eyes of the law (society's law) not all sins are illegal (adultery, lying, fornicating, coveting, etc) and therefore are not looked at as punishable. The illegal acts are the one's society looks at as wanting punishment or revenge for, while society considers the others as something each person is accountable for "depending on their morals".