Aug 13
5
Doctrinal Standard WSC #83
- Q. Are all sins equally evil?
- A. In the eyes of God some sins in themselves are more evil than others, and some are more evil because of the harm that results from them.
Memory Verse(s)
- “Jesus answered him, “You would have no authority over me at all unless it had been given you from above. Therefore he who delivered me over to you has the greater sin” (John 19:11, ESV).
Scripture
- Study Passage: Luke 12:35-48
- Support Passages: Ezekiel 8:6,13,15; 1 John 5:16; Psalms 78:17,32,56
- Bible Story: 1 Samuel 2:12-26
Thoughts
- “Sins intended against God are more evil than sins intended against other humans beings. Some sins against people are more evil than other sings against people. A sin against another is more evil depending on how much harm it does to the person. In the Ten Commandments, the commandments that forbid us to sin against others go in order of forbidding the most harm (you shall not murder) to the least harm (you shall not covet). It is more evil to take a man’s life than to harm his marriage. It is more evil to harm a man’s marriage than to steal his property. Read proverbs 6:30-35.
- Another thing that makes some sins more evil than other sins is the position of the person committing the sin. God has made some people leaders to others. People look up to them as leaders and watch their example. When people in leadership positions sin, others may follow them. People see leaders doing something that God has forbidden and think there is nothing wrong with it since, after all, this leader is doing it. Parents, teachers, church leaders, and others in positions of authority must be especially careful not to set a harmful example. Read James 3:1.
- Growing up in a Christian home is a great privilege. It gives you many advantages that other people do not have. You grow up knowing who God is and what He requires of you. You grow up learning the gospel and knowing that God has provided a Savior so you may be justified by faith. Growing up in a Christian home also carries great responsibilities. The more you know about who God is and what He wants, the less excuse you have for sinning. The Bible teaches that those who fully know what they should do and refuse to do it will be punished much more severely than those who do not have such knowledge. Read Luke 12:47-48[1]
Discussion Questions
- Are sins all equally evil? Explain
- Examine our legal system or the different types of punishments within your home. Are all sins or crimes punished the same way? Does this reveal to us something about God’s punishments?
- Discuss various sins and determine which one might be more evil than others.
- Because there are different degrees of sin does it mean that the “lesser” sins are ok? Explain.
- What is the punishment of all sin no matter the severity?
- What is the only rescue from any type of sin? Explain
[1] Meade, Starr (2000). Training Heart, Teaching Minds. Phillipsburg, New Jersey, USA; P&R Publishing Company.
