Are Some Sins Worse Than Others?

The apostle Paul tells us that evil men will grow worse and worse at the end of the age (2 Timothy 3:13). What makes these men worse? Are their sins worse than other people’s sins?

How can we know if one sin is worse than another sin? If some sins are worse, does that mean other sins are okay?

Religions have invented classifications, such as venial sins, mortal sins and the seven deadly sins. Yet much confusion remains about which sins are worse. Most people think murder is a worse sin, but is a “little white lie” also a sin? Is stealing from the rich a minor sin, while stealing from the poor is a major sin?

Intolerance is often judged as a worse sin. Being judgmental is also often condemned as a worse sin.

Are we truly left to ourselves to discover which sins are worse than others?

What is sin?

God does not want us to be ignorant about sin. God defines what is right, and He knows what is wrong and harmful. He does not want us to suffer.

God defines sin as the transgression of His law (1 John 3:4, King James Version). What does that mean? To sin is to go outside the safe boundaries of the law of God.

God created His law so that we can know when we cross the line into sin. Jesus summarized the law as loving God with all our heart and loving our fellow man as ourselves (Matthew 22:36-40). If we love God, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15). The law of God is expressed in the 10 Commandments and defines the way to eternal life (Matthew 19:17).

Great men like Abraham kept God’s laws (Genesis 26:4-5) and are among the faithful who embraced God’s way to eternal life (Hebrews 11:13-14, 39-40). God created the law, and by comparing our lives to His law, we can know if we are on the path to eternal life or another path. See “What Is Sin?”

How does sin work?

The path of sin begins in the mind. James explains the mechanics of sins in James 1:14-15:

“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”

Temptation draws people away from God’s law toward sin. Clever advertising, alluring images and dreams of a big payoff draw people toward sin. At this point, people with an educated conscience will start thinking, “This is wrong.” “I should not do this.” “What will others think of me?”

But often additional enticements come to mind. Excuses are next: “It’s not that bad.” “No one will know.” “It’s not hurting anyone.” “Be true to yourself.” “Are you a chicken?”

Enticements draw the sinner toward choosing to sin. The decision to sin is made, followed by the act of sinning. And all of us have sinned (Romans 3:23).

Where does the path of sin lead?

The path of sin does not lead to eternal life. Christ called the path of sin the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13). Choosing to sin is going down the path to eternal death (Ezekiel 18:4; Matthew 10:28). The Bible calls this the second death (Revelation 21:8).

The Bible shows that no matter what the sin is, its ultimate penalty is death. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). And James 2:10 tells us: “For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Breaking any point of God’s law is the same as breaking the whole law. God does not see any sin as minor or insignificant. But the further we go down the path of sin, the worse the sin becomes. We are moving away from God and the path to eternal life.

Does sin have to lead to our death? No

God loves us and gave His Son so we do not have to die eternally for our sins (John 3:16). God offers us eternal life if we believe in Christ and follow His narrow path, but God will not force us to choose His path. We can reject God’s path in favor of our path. If we decide not to believe Him about the one narrow path, we are choosing the path to eternal death.

Once we sin, we have a choice to make: continue sinning or repent. Repentance is changing course—away from sin and toward God and His way. The decision to seek God’s help is ours alone to make. We must surrender our will and seek God’s way.

The Bible tells many stories of redemption from horrible sins. King David committed adultery and attempted to cover it up by murder. Yet, when David realized His sins, he deeply repented and asked God to cleanse him from his sin (Psalm 51). Likewise, Rahab the harlot changed her ways and is included in the list of overcomers like Abraham and Moses (Hebrews 11:31).

God does not want us to perish eternally, but wants us to come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). He is eager to help us overcome sin. He wants us to turn from sin and live (Ezekiel 18:32). For more information, see “The Narrow Path: God’s Highway of Holiness.”

This article focuses on the spiritual and eternal effects of sin. But we should note that sins have natural consequences and often human penalties as well. Though God’s forgiveness is most important, repentance does not automatically remove physical consequences or penalties. Broken relationships, prison sentences and even capital punishment are stark reminders of the results of sin and the benefits of obedience.

The physical effects of some sins can certainly be more drastic and damaging than others, and human penalties do rank some sins as worse than others.

Unrepented sins are worse

The consequences of any sin become worse if we refuse to repent. The Bible refers to this as “sin leading to death.” If we choose to turn away from sin—to repent—that sin does not lead to eternal death (1 John 5:16-17). For more information, see “What Is the Sin That Leads to Death?”

Unrepented sins become habits, which become a lifestyle, defining the sinner’s identity. Sin grows progressively worse over time. People whose lives are defined by sin will not inherit eternal life (1 Corinthians 6:9-10).

The further we go down the path to death, the worse the sin becomes. If we do not repent, we remain slaves to sin, heading toward death (Romans 6:16). For more information, see “The Meaning of Hebrews 10:26: What Does It Mean to ‘Sin Willfully’?”

What makes sins worse? When sin causes others to sin

The Bible records the lives of kings who were not only sinners themselves, but who also led others to sin.

All sin separates us from God. Sin starts us on the broad way to destruction. We need to avoid all sins. If we stumble into sin, we need to ask God to help us overcome and stop sinning. Jeroboam caused the nation of Israel to sin (1 Kings 16:26). He invented his version of religion to keep people from observing God’s festivals in Jerusalem (1 Kings 12:26-33). Jeroboam also set up his own priests and golden calf worship. The Bible condemns Jeroboam’s sins over 20 times, calling his sins the way of Jeroboam. Yet he was not the worst king.

King Omri did evil in the eyes of God and was worse than all who were before him (1 Kings 16:25). He took idol worship to a new low (verse 26). And Omri’s son Ahab was even worse (verse 30). Ahab married the wicked Jezebel and set up altars for Baal with 450 priests. He and Jezebel also supported 400 priests of Asherah (1 Kings 18:19).

Ahab and Jezebel killed Naboth for his vineyard (1 Kings 21:7, 14). What is worse than one murder?

Multiple murders. Jezebel killed the prophets of God (1 Kings 18:13). What is worse than multiple murders?

A religion that practices human sacrifice as worship is worse. King Manasseh raised altars to Baal like Ahab. He killed his son in the fire. God said he was worse than the pagan nations like the Amorites (2 Kings 21:3-21).

What made these kings worse? They went further and further in the wrong direction, leading the nations of Israel and Judah into more and more sin.

The unpardonable sin—the worst sin

Any sin can become unpardonable if we refuse to repent. The sin becomes willful after we understand the truth and refuse to try to overcome (Hebrews 10:26-29). Willful sin is a rejection of the sacrifice of Jesus.

Jesus also warned that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven (Matthew 12:31). Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit involves rejection of God’s attempt to save us. People who blaspheme are rejecting God’s way to eternal life. See “What Is the Unpardonable Sin?”

Overcoming sin and choosing life

Although some sins are worse than others, that is not the message God wants us to focus on. All sin separates us from God. Sin starts us on the broad way to destruction. We need to avoid all sins. If we stumble into sin, we need to ask God to help us overcome and stop sinning. See “Go and Sin No More.”

We need to be careful not to judge others (Matthew 7:1). When the tower of Siloam fell on 18 people, Jesus said the point was not that they were worse sinners, but that we should repent of our sins so we will not likewise perish (Luke 13:4-5).

God has given us His perfect law of liberty so we can know what sin is (James 1:25). The law is a guide to direct our steps away from sin. Jesus explained that the law goes beyond actions and should guide our thoughts and intentions (Matthew 5:21-22).

The Bible records the great faith of overcomers like King David and Rahab. It also records names that have become tarnished with evil, like Ahab, Jezebel and Judas. The Bible speaks of the way of Cain, the way of Balaam and the way of Jeroboam that caused others to stumble into sin.

God sets before us the stark choice: life or death (Deuteronomy 30:19). If we overcome sin, our future can be glorious as a child of God. If we choose the sinful path to death, our names will come to be associated with evil.

“He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son.

“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death” (Revelation 21:7-8).

God is pleading, urging and commanding us to choose life. Will you choose life?

For more information, see “What Are the Deadly Sins?”