Sins Of The Bible: The Definitive 125 List

The Bible is a complex and lengthy text, and within it, there are many sins listed. The seven deadly sins are perhaps the most well-known: pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed. However, there are many more, and one source states that there are 667 sins in total. These include sins such as blasphemy, hypocrisy, greediness, and bearing false witness.

Sins relating to the Ten Commandments: false worship, idolatry, misusing God's name, violating the Sabbath, dishonouring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting

Sins relating to the Ten Commandments include false worship, idolatry, misusing God's name, violating the Sabbath, dishonouring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, lying, and coveting.

False worship and idolatry are related to the first commandment, "You shall have no other gods before me". This is a warning against worshipping anything or anyone other than God, including wealth, pleasure, and even oneself.

The third commandment, "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain", forbids the misuse of God's name. This includes profanity, as well as common slang and careless talk.

The fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy", instructs followers to rest on the seventh day, just as God did after the six days of creation.

The fifth commandment, "Honour your father and your mother", is the first commandment with a promise, according to the Apostle Paul. It calls for love, obedience, respect, and helpfulness towards one's parents.

The sixth commandment, "You shall not murder", forbids the unlawful taking of human life. Jesus clarified that this commandment also relates to one's internal state, stating that anyone who is angry with their brother will be subject to judgement.

Adultery is the subject of the seventh commandment, "You shall not commit adultery". This relates to physical and emotional infidelity towards one's spouse. Jesus expanded on this commandment, stating that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The eighth commandment, "You shall not steal", forbids theft in all its forms, including pickpocketing, purse-snatching, embezzlement, robbery, and fraud.

The ninth commandment, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour", forbids lying in all its forms, including bribery, forgery, libel, and slander.

The tenth commandment, "You shall not covet", warns against greed and selfishness. It is the first commandment that focuses explicitly on what happens within the heart.

These commandments provide a moral framework for living a godly life and highlight the need for a Saviour, as it is impossible for sinful individuals to fully keep God's Law.

Sins relating to the Sermon on the Mount: anger, lust, judging, and causing another to fall spiritually

The Sermon on the Mount, found in the Gospel of Matthew (chapters 5, 6, and 7), is a collection of sayings spoken by Jesus of Nazareth, emphasising his moral teachings. It is one of the most widely quoted sections of the Gospels, including well-known sayings such as the Beatitudes and the commonly recited version of the Lord's Prayer.

Anger

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus says:

> "You have heard it said, 'You shall not kill,' but I say anyone who gets angry with his brother is subject to judgement."

Jesus is saying that holding resentment towards someone is accountable to God. This resentment can escalate into name-calling, which can further escalate into violence and cursing. Jesus warns that these three levels of anger each merit a response, and that response will escalate in severity.

Lust

Jesus says:

> "Everyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart."

Jesus is saying that adultery is not limited to the act, but includes the gazing and lingering look that objectifies another person to whom you are not married. Lust is a sin that originates in the heart, but often expresses itself through the eyes and hands. Jesus warns that lust will lead to hell, and that it must be dealt with drastically.

Judging

Jesus says:

> "Judge not, that ye be not judged."

Jesus condemns those who judge others without first sorting out their own affairs. He warns that you will be judged by the same standard with which you judge others. However, this does not mean that Christians should never evaluate the lives of other Christians. Rather, they should do so with gospel-centred discernment, taking stock of their own situation first in order to gain a proper perspective on the sins of others.

Causing another to fall spiritually

Jesus says:

> "Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs, lest they trample them underfoot and turn to attack you."

Jesus is saying that Christians who have the gift of humble confrontation of sin should not give it to those who show contempt for it. They should instead show discernment and rightly judge the character of another.

Sins of the flesh: sexual immorality, impurity, idolatry, hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, drunkenness, and orgies

The Bible is very clear that humans are flawed and prone to sin. One of the most comprehensive lists of sins in the Bible is found in Paul's letter to the Galatians, where he outlines a diverse range of transgressions, urging believers to avoid these 'sins of the flesh'.

Sexual immorality is a broad term encompassing any sexual activity that goes against God's design, including adultery, fornication, homosexuality, and bestiality. Impurity refers to any thoughts, words, or actions that are impure and indecent, often linked with lustful desires. Idolatry is putting anything before God, be it wealth, power, or another person. This can also include worshipping false gods or idols. Hatred is a deep-seated emotion of intense dislike, often leading to actions that harm or degrade others. Discord and jealousy often go hand in hand, causing division and strife among people, and can lead to fits of rage, where anger boils over and results in loss of self-control.

Selfish ambition is placing one's desires above the well-being of others, often leading to dissensions and factions, causing disharmony and division within communities. Drunkenness impairs judgment and can lead to a loss of inhibitions, resulting in further sins, and orgies, which are characterized by unrestrained sexual behavior and a lack of respect for the sacredness of the marital bed. These sins are often interconnected and can lead to a cycle of destructive behavior. For instance, sexual immorality can stem from impurity of thought and idolatry, where one places their sexual desires above their reverence for God.

Believers are instructed to resist these temptations and instead live by the fruit of the Spirit, which includes love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. By cultivating these virtues, Christians can overcome the sins of the flesh and lead lives that honor God and benefit their fellow humans. It is a constant battle, but with God's help and the guidance of the Holy Spirit, it is a battle that can be won.

Paul's letter serves as a stark reminder of the many ways humans can stray from God's path, but it also offers hope and a clear path back to righteousness and a life led by the Spirit.

Sins of the heart: evil thoughts, heresy, hypocrisy, deceit, an unforgiving heart, and an evil eye

The Bible lists a myriad of sins, and among them are those that originate from the heart and mind—the internal sins that can often be hidden from others but are known by God. These "sins of the heart" include evil thoughts, heresy, hypocrisy, deceit, an unforgiving heart, and an evil eye.

Evil thoughts encompass any imagination or intention that goes against God's moral law. This includes entertaining thoughts of violence, adultery, stealing, or any other transgression. Jesus, in the Sermon on the Mount, made it clear that sin begins in the heart and that having evil thoughts is just as guilty as acting them out (Matthew 5:21-30). Heresy is holding or teaching beliefs that contradict the essential doctrines of Christianity. It is an obstinate denial of the truth, often with the intention to mislead others and create division (2 Peter 2:1-3). A heretic may teach false doctrine or deny fundamental Christian truths, leading others astray.

Hypocrisy is the act of pretending to be more virtuous or religious than one truly is. It is a form of deceit where one presents a false image to others, often to gain approval or maintain a reputation (Matthew 23:25-28). Deceit is the deliberate act of misleading or lying to others, hiding the truth to serve one's own purposes (Leviticus 19:11). An unforgiving heart is also a sin of the heart. When someone refuses to forgive others, they are essentially holding onto anger, bitterness, and a desire for revenge. Jesus taught that we must forgive others as God has forgiven us (Matthew 6:14-15).

Lastly, an evil eye refers to a greedy or covetous attitude. It is the desire for what others have, whether it is their possessions, status, or relationships. This covetousness can lead to envy, jealousy, and even theft (Exodus 20:17). These sins of the heart are often the root cause of many other sins. They originate from within and can contaminate our thoughts, words, and actions, leading us away from God's will and causing harm to ourselves and others. Recognizing and confessing these internal sins is crucial for spiritual growth and maintaining a right relationship with God and others.

Sins of the tongue: blasphemy, lying, slander, revelling, complaining, boasting, and divisive speech

The tongue is a powerful tool that can be used for good or evil. James 3:3-8 warns that the tongue is like a spark that can set an entire forest ablaze. Similarly, Proverbs 18:21 says that "death and life are in the power of the tongue".

Blasphemy

Blasphemy is defined as speaking evil of God or saying something false about Him. It is considered a serious sin, as it involves dishonouring and disrespecting God. In the Bible, blasphemy is often associated with pride and arrogance, as seen in the story of Satan, who was filled with pride and rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12-15). Blasphemy can also include attributing the work of God to Satan, as seen in Mark 3:22-30 when the religious leaders accused Jesus of blasphemy by claiming that He drove out demons by the power of Beelzebul, the prince of demons.

Lying

Lying is a direct violation of one of the Ten Commandments, which states, "You shall not bear false witness against your neighbour" (Exodus 20:16). The Bible condemns all forms of lying, including direct lies, lies by implication, and even sportive lies. Proverbs 12:22 says, "The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy." Lying is also listed as one of the acts of the sinful nature in Galatians 5:19-21.

Slander

Slander, or backbiting, is the act of speaking evil of someone behind their back with the intention of harming their reputation. It is a serious sin that can destroy relationships and cause conflict. The Bible warns against slander in multiple passages, such as Proverbs 20:19, which says, "A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much." Slander is also included in the list of things that God hates in Proverbs 6:16-19.

Revelling

Revelling, or merrymaking, is considered a sin when it involves overindulgence and leads to unrighteous behaviour. In Romans 13:13, Paul warns believers to "not be involved in riotous revelling, drunkenness, sexual promiscuity, lustfulness, quarrelling, or jealousy." Instead, believers are called to live soberly and set their minds on things above (Colossians 3:1-2).

Complaining

Complaining, or murmuring, is described as a sin that reveals a lack of trust in God and His provision. In Numbers 14, the Israelites complained against God and Moses after leaving Egypt, despite witnessing God's miraculous power. This act of complaining is seen as a rejection of God's leadership and a failure to recognise His goodness.

Boasting

Boasting is considered a sin because it stems from pride and self-exaltation. The Bible warns against boasting and instead encourages humility and dependence on God. In James 4:6, it says, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Boasting is also included in the list of sins that will not inherit the kingdom of God in Galatians 5:19-21.

Divisive Speech

Divisive speech, or causing division, is considered a sin because it disrupts unity and harmony among believers. The Bible calls Christians to live in peace and harmony with one another (Romans 12:16-18). Divisive speech can take many forms, including gossip, slander, and spreading false teachings. Jesus Himself warned against causing division in Matthew 12:25, saying, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand."

These "sins of the tongue" highlight the importance of using our speech to build up and encourage others, rather than tear them down. As Proverbs 18:21 says, "Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits."

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