Moment of Truth: Casting Down Lies #23

“All sin is the same. There’s no hierarchy of sins.”

Are you believing this lie?

Jesus tells about a greater damnation. The reason the damnation is greater is because the sin of hypocrisy is greater.

Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows’ houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. ~Matthew 23:14 KJV

John shares sins that lead to death and sins that do not. He recommends that we do not pray for the sin leading to death. This clearly shows us that certain sins are worse than others.

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. ~ 1 John 5:16 KJV

The Old Testament was also very clear in the book of Deuteronomy about various degrees of punishment for certain sins. Certain sins were punishable by death. Others were punishable by a certain loss.

It is true that all unrighteous is sin. Lust is a certain sin that brings death.

[14] But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. [15] Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. ~James 1:14-15 KJV

However, this does not mean all sin is the same. All sin works death, but some sins are worse than others. This may have been why the Apostle Paul called himself a “chief sinner” who got saved to show a pattern of godliness to all Christians because he used to murder men. Murder, or hatred, is like a capital offense up against the commandments of God.  Jesus also says that to “look with lust” means that a person has committed adultery already in their heart.  This is because adultery is a very bad sin.  Adultery is a sin that leads to death.

You might be wondering, “Why does the Bible say this?”:

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ~Romans 6:23 KJV

The Apostle Paul was talking about how sin never brings life, only righteousness through Christ does that.

Here is an example of punishments for sin;

[11] For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. [12] Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; [13] Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. [14] If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. [15] If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. [16] Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? [17] If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. ~1 Corinthians 3:11-17 KJV

Jesus also speaks about a greater and lesser punishment here.

[47] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes . [48] But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. ~Luke 12:47-48 KJV

Therefore, to say that that “all sin is the same” is misleading.

All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death. ~1 John 5:17 KJV