The Bible: A Comprehensive Guide To Sin?

are all sins listed in the bible

The Bible contains many lists of sins, but it is unclear if these lists are exhaustive. From the very beginning, God told man what was right and wrong. In the Garden of Eden, God told Adam that he was free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die (Genesis 2:16-17). The Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17) are another example of God communicating his laws to mankind. Sins listed in the Bible include theft, adultery, blasphemy, murder, coveting, idolatry, and more. While the Bible provides extensive lists of sins, it is challenging for humans to follow these laws perfectly, and the Scriptures acknowledge that all who rely on observing the law are under a curse (Galatians 3:10).

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Sins relating to God

Idolatry: Loving someone or something more than God. This can include the pursuit of wealth, material possessions, or any other form of idolatry that takes precedence over one's devotion to God.

Blasphemy: Speaking against the Holy Ghost or denying Christ. Blasphemy is considered a severe sin, and in some interpretations, it is seen as the only unforgivable sin.

Disobedience: Failing to follow God's commandments and deviating from His teachings. This can include disobedience to God's specific instructions, such as the Ten Commandments, or a broader failure to live according to God's standards.

Unbelief: Lack of faith or trust in God. This can include rejecting God's existence or failing to follow His teachings.

Pride: An excessive belief in one's abilities or qualities, often considered the root of all other sins. Pride involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a failure to acknowledge dependence on God.

Envy: Resenting or feeling discontent towards the blessings or possessions of others. Envy is considered a sin because it goes against the teachings of contentment, love, and gratitude that are central to a relationship with God.

Lust: Excessive desire for sexual gratification. Lust is seen as a sin when it becomes a controlling passion that leads individuals away from God.

Greed: An obsessive desire for material wealth or possessions. Greed is often viewed as a form of idolatry, where the pursuit of earthly treasures takes precedence over devotion to God.

These are just a few examples of sins relating to God. The Bible provides extensive guidance on sins, repentance, forgiveness, and salvation, offering a moral framework for believers to lead virtuous lives and strengthen their relationship with God.

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Sins relating to other people

Anger and Wrath: The Bible warns against uncontrolled anger and wrath, which can lead to destructive behaviours and negatively impact relationships. Proverbs 22:24-25 advises against associating with angry and hot-tempered individuals to avoid adopting their ways. Ephesians 4:26-27 encourages individuals to manage their anger and not let it turn into sin: "In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold."

Gossip and Slander: Engaging in gossip and slander is considered a sin in the Bible. Proverbs 20:19 cautions against associating with gossipy people: "He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip." Backbiting, or speaking evil of others in their absence, is also considered a sin.

Hypocrisy: Leading a hypocritical life, where one's actions contradict their professed beliefs, is a sin. 1 Corinthians 5:10 instructs believers to guard their social life from those invested in lifestyle hypocrisy: "Do not associate with any so-called brother if he is an immoral person, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or a swindler—not even to eat with such a one."

Judgement and Condemnation: Passing judgement on others and condemning them is considered a sin. Matthew 7:1-2 states: "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you."

Lying and Deceit: Lying, bearing false witness, and engaging in deceit are considered sins in the Bible. Proverbs 6:16-19 lists lying and spreading strife among brothers as things that the Lord hates. Exodus 20:16 also includes bearing false witness in the Ten Commandments.

Envy: Feeling envy towards others' possessions, success, or fortune is considered a sin. The Tenth Commandment, Exodus 20:17, warns against coveting one's neighbour's belongings. Proverbs 14:30 highlights the destructive nature of envy: "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

Pride: Pride, or an excessive belief in one's abilities and qualities, is considered a sin and is often regarded as the root of all other sins. Proverbs 16:18 cautions against pride, stating that it precedes destruction: "Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall."

These are just a few examples of sins relating to other people mentioned in the Bible. The Bible provides guidance on how to navigate interpersonal relationships and maintain a righteous path.

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Sins relating to yourself

Sins relating to oneself are those that harm the individual who commits them. They are considered a form of self-harm, as they damage one's spiritual well-being and relationship with God. Here are some examples of sins relating to oneself:

Lust: The Bible cautions against lustful behaviour and emphasises the importance of self-control and purity. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, said: "But I say unto you, that whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart" (Matthew 5:28). This verse highlights the importance of not just external actions but also internal thoughts and desires.

Gluttony: This is the overindulgence or overconsumption of food or drink, often leading to negative consequences for one's health and well-being. The Bible contains several verses that caution against overindulgence and encourage moderation and self-control. For example, "Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber shall clothe them with rags" (Proverbs 23:20-21).

Greed: Greed is an excessive desire for material wealth or possessions, often at the expense of ethical considerations. It is generally seen as a form of idolatry, where the pursuit of wealth takes precedence over devotion to God. Jesus warned against covetousness, saying, "Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions" (Luke 12:15).

Sloth: Sloth is spiritual or moral laziness, a neglect of one's responsibilities, and a failure to use one's God-given talents effectively. It involves a lack of motivation or enthusiasm for fulfilling one's duties, both spiritual and practical. The Bible encourages a diligent and wholehearted approach to work and responsibilities, as seen in Ecclesiastes 9:10: "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going."

Wrath: Wrath refers to uncontrolled, intense, and vengeful anger or hatred. It is considered sinful because it involves harbouring and acting upon destructive and harmful emotions, often leading to negative consequences. The Bible instructs believers to "Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil" (Psalm 37:8).

Envy: Envy is feeling discontent towards others' success, possessions, or fortune. It goes against the biblical values of contentment and love. The Bible warns against coveting, which is closely related to envy: "You shall not covet your neighbour's house. You shall not covet your neighbour's wife, or his male or female servant, his ox or donkey, or anything that belongs to your neighbour" (Exodus 20:17).

Pride: Pride is an excessive belief in one's abilities or qualities, often considered the root of all other sins. It involves an inflated sense of self-importance and a failure to acknowledge one's dependence on God. The Bible consistently cautions against pride, as it can lead to downfall and destruction: "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18).

These sins are considered particularly harmful as they can lead to spiritual death and separation from God if not repented. However, it is important to note that through faith in Christ, believers can be forgiven of these sins and empowered to live according to God's will.

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Sins relating to the law

The Bible contains a plethora of sins relating to the law. These are detailed and direct commandments, with clear consequences for disobedience.

One such sin is "Brother Going to Law Against Brother", which is interpreted as bringing legal action against another. This is considered a serious offence, as it not only breaks the spiritual law but also divides families and communities. Similarly, "Covenant Breakers" are those who break solemn or legal pacts, going against their word and the law. This is a grave matter, as it undermines the integrity of the covenant and can lead to distrust and discord.

The Bible also addresses sins of disobedience to earthly authorities. "Seditions", or stirring up opposition against authority, is a direct challenge to the established order and can lead to chaos and anarchy. This is closely tied to the sin of "Divisions", which refers to forming splits or schisms in groups, be they families, communities, or nations. This can weaken the social fabric and lead to conflict and strife.

Another sin is "Teaching for Doctrine the Commandments of Men", which is a warning against neglecting God's commandments in favour of man-made interpretations or laws. This is a reminder to always prioritise God's laws above all else and to be cautious of human fallibility.

Finally, the Bible also addresses the sin of "Denying Christ". This is a direct rejection of Jesus Christ and the salvation He offers. It is a denial of the fundamental tenets of Christianity and can lead to eternal damnation. This sin underscores the importance of faith and loyalty to Christ in the Christian faith.

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Sins relating to the church

While the Bible does not contain an exhaustive list of sins, it does refer to certain capital sins that are considered the most dangerous and grave, as they engender other sins. These are pride, greed, envy, wrath, lust, gluttony, and sloth.

Idolatry

Idolatry is considered a mortal sin, as it involves worshipping and putting faith in a false god. This includes idolizing other gods and committing sacrilege, such as heresy or desecrating holy objects or places.

Blasphemy

Blasphemy is considered a grave sin, as it involves insulting or showing disrespect to God. Using the name of the Lord in vain is a violation of the second commandment and is considered a serious offense.

Disobedience to Parents

Honouring one's father and mother is one of the Ten Commandments, and disobedience to parents is considered a sin. This reflects the importance of respect and honour for one's elders within the church.

Divisions

Forming splits or schisms within the church is considered a sin. This reflects the importance of unity and harmony within the Christian community.

Denying Christ

Denying Christ or failing to follow His teachings is a serious offense. This includes not only rejecting His sacrifice for our sins but also neglecting to live according to His commandments.

Unbelief

Lack of faith or unbelief is considered a sin. Christians are expected to have faith in God and trust in His sovereignty. Doubting or rejecting God's existence can be seen as a rejection of His grace.

Frequently asked questions

No, while the Bible does contain several lists of sins, it is not exhaustive. Jewish rabbis say that there are 613 laws in the Torah (Books of Moses), 365 of which are "thou shalt not...".

Sins listed in the Bible include:

- Adultery

- Murder

- Lying

- Pride

- Theft

- Blasphemy

- Drunkenness

- Idolatry

- Homosexuality

- Greed

- Cowardliness

- Wrath

- Anger

- Divorce

The Bible tells Christians that "all wrongdoing is sin" and that "anyone who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, sins".

The lists of sins in the Bible serve as a guide for Christians to follow, but also show that "we have sinned far more than we realized". Ultimately, it is impossible to follow all of God's laws, and so Jesus Christ "redeemed us from the curse of the law".

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  • Aisha
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