Forbidden Sins: Bible's Guide To Mortal Transgressions

The Bible, a cornerstone of Judeo-Christian ethics, outlines various behaviours and actions considered sinful. These acts are believed to be in direct opposition to God's will and are explicitly stated across the Old and New Testaments. While there are many sins, the seven deadly sins are considered particularly severe and are associated with transgressions that can lead to damnation if not repented. These are pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed.

Sexual sins, including adultery and prostitution

Sexual sins are considered particularly severe in Christian theology and can lead to damnation if not repented. In the Bible, God created sex to be a blessing in marriage, but there are certain sexual acts that are considered sins.

Adultery

Adultery is explicitly forbidden in the Bible. In the Ten Commandments, it is written, "You shall not commit adultery" (Exodus 20:14; Deuteronomy 5:18). Adultery is considered a severe breach of God's intent for marriage and is even referred to as a "disgraceful sin" in Deuteronomy 22:21.

Jesus intensified the prohibition against adultery in the Sermon on the Mount, stating that even looking at someone with lust is committing adultery in one's heart (Matthew 5:27-28). He also taught that divorce and remarriage constitute adultery (Matthew 5:32) and that lust is a form of adultery (Matthew 5:28).

Prostitution

Prostitution is forbidden throughout the Old Testament. The Bible mentions that male and female prostitutes were part of pagan worship (Genesis 38:21-22; Deuteronomy 23:17; Hosea 4:14; 1 Kings 15:12; 2 Kings 23:7), and God's people were forbidden from participating in such practices (Leviticus 19:29; 21:9).

Proverbs 2:19 warns against the deadly nature of prostitution: "None who go to her come back, nor do they regain the paths of life." The Bible also mentions severe consequences for those who engage in prostitution, such as being burned with fire (Leviticus 21:9) or stoned to death (Deuteronomy 22:21).

Sexual Immorality

The Bible condemns sexual immorality, referring to a range of sexual sins, including pornography (Matthew 5:28; 1 Corinthians 6:18; Ephesians 5:3; 1 Thessalonians 4:3). Paul, in his letters, urges believers to "flee sexual immorality" (1 Corinthians 6:18) and emphasizes that it is a sin against one's own body.

Pagan Sexual Activity

The Bible also forbids sexual practices associated with pagan worship and idolatry. Pagan religions often included male and female prostitutes as part of their worship (Genesis 38:21-22; Deuteronomy 23:17; Hosea 4:14; 1 Kings 15:12; 2 Kings 23:7). Believers are warned against participating in such practices (Leviticus 19:29; 21:9).

Homosexuality

Homosexual behavior is considered contrary to God's design for human sexuality in the Bible. There are explicit prohibitions against men lying with men "as with a woman" in Leviticus 18:22 and 20:13. These passages are included in sanctions that give a general veto on unnatural sex relationships.

Bestiality

Bestiality, or sexual relations with animals, is also forbidden in the Bible. It is condemned in Exodus 22:19, Leviticus 20:15-16, and Deuteronomy 27:21. The possibility of a sexually bonded liaison with an animal is expressly ruled out in the Edenic narrative (Genesis 2:20).

The seven deadly sins: pride, envy, wrath, gluttony, lust, sloth, and greed

The seven deadly sins are considered to be some of the most severe transgressions in Christian theology and tradition. While not explicitly listed together in the Bible, they are derived from various passages that highlight behaviours that are especially displeasing to God. These sins are considered destructive to the soul and are referred to as "deadly" because they can lead to spiritual death if not repented and forgiven. The seven deadly sins are:

Pride

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

Envy

Envy is characterised by a resentful longing for what others possess, be it their possessions, qualities, or luck. It goes beyond jealousy and leads to ill feelings and discontentment with one's blessings. Proverbs 14:30 (NIV) describes the destructive nature of envy, stating, "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."

Wrath

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

Gluttony

Gluttony is overindulgence or overconsumption of food or drink, often to the detriment of one's health and well-being. It reflects a lack of self-control and a prioritisation of temporal pleasures over spiritual and physical well-being. The Bible cautions against gluttony in Proverbs 23:20-21, advising against joining those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat.

Lust

Lust refers to excessive desire for sexual gratification. 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 to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart" (Matthew 5:28, ESV).

Sloth

Sloth is spiritual or moral laziness, neglecting one's responsibilities, and failing to use one's God-given talents and gifts effectively. It involves a lack of motivation or enthusiasm for fulfilling one's duties, both spiritual and practical. "The soul of the sluggard craves and gets nothing, while the soul of the diligent is richly supplied" (Proverbs 13:4).

Greed

Greed is an obsessive desire for material wealth or possessions, often at the expense of ethical considerations and the needs of others. It is generally seen as a form of idolatry, where the pursuit of wealth takes precedence over devotion to God. Jesus emphasises that life's true value is not measured by material wealth but by spiritual and ethical considerations (Luke 12:15, ESV).

False witness, including lying, perjury, slander, and libel

In the Bible, false witness is seen as a natural consequence of the commandment to "love your neighbour as yourself". Offenses against the truth express a refusal to commit oneself to moral uprightness and are considered fundamental infidelities to God. The Hebrew Bible contains several prohibitions against false witness, lying, and spreading false reports. For example, Proverbs 6:16–19 and 12:22 state that God hates lying.

The New Testament also addresses false witness, stating that false testimony comes from the sinful desires of the heart and makes people unclean. In Romans 13:9, Paul lists several of the Ten Commandments, including "You shall not bear false witness", as a requirement for eternal life.

False witness, in the form of slander and libel, is also addressed in the New Testament. Slander is defined as a false verbal statement that damages someone's reputation, while libel is written defamation of character. The Bible condemns both practices, with Scripture often mentioning them together (Leviticus 19:16; Proverbs 16:27; 2 Corinthians 12:20). However, slander is considered more serious because it involves making up secrets and broadcasting them to cause maximum harm.

The Bible provides guidance on how to address false witness. Colossians 3:7–8 instructs believers to rid themselves of anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language. Additionally, James 3:9–10 highlights the importance of using our words to praise God and cautions against cursing others made in His likeness.

Overall, false witness, including lying, perjury, slander, and libel, is a serious sin in the Bible, violating the commandment to bear false witness and undermining the foundational command to love your neighbour as yourself.

Coveting, or the intense desire for the possessions or qualities of others

The Bible lists several forbidden sins, including false worship, idolatry, misusing God's name, violating the Sabbath, dishonoring parents, murder, adultery, stealing, and lying (coveting). Coveting, or the intense desire for the possessions or qualities of others, is a transgression that can lead to moral and ethical issues.

In the Bible, coveting is described as an "ungodly" yearning for what belongs to another person, which can lead to harmful thoughts and actions. It is considered a sin because it can undermine trust and harmony within communities. The Tenth Commandment explicitly warns against coveting, urging individuals to be content with their own blessings and cultivate gratitude. By focusing on what we already have instead of what we lack, we can break free from the chains of envy and appreciate the successes of others without feeling diminished.

Coveting is a powerful emotion that can influence our thoughts and actions. It can manifest as a desire for material possessions, social status, or intangible aspects like prestige and wealth. Social media often amplifies these feelings, as we are constantly exposed to carefully curated images of others' lives, creating a sense of inadequacy. Recognizing the distinction between healthy aspiration and harmful coveting is crucial for maintaining personal integrity and harmonious relationships.

Coveting can lead to negative thoughts and actions, such as resentment towards the person who owns the desired object or plotting to obtain it by any means necessary. It can also lead to other sins, including greed, stealing, jealousy, envy, and even murder. To avoid coveting, individuals are encouraged to work for what they desire, cultivate gratitude, and find joy in the blessings of others.

Blasphemy, or speaking of God or sacred things in an irreverent manner

According to the Bible, Jesus made a sharp distinction between blasphemy against the Son of Man and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Speaking against the Son of Man, or rejecting the truth of the Gospel, can be forgiven, as one may reject Christ and later accept him through God's grace. However, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is seen as a complete and absolute denial of the one true God—the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In the Bible, blasphemy against the Holy Spirit is attributed to attributing the works of Jesus to the prince of demons or Satan. It is described as speaking against the Holy Spirit with full awareness and willfully rejecting the work of the Spirit. Such a sin is considered eternal and unforgivable.

The severity of blasphemy is further emphasized by the punishment of stoning for blaspheming the name of the Lord, as mentioned in the Bible: "the one who blasphemes the name of the Lord shall surely be put to death; all the congregation shall certainly stone him."

Additionally, the Bible also mentions other instances of blasphemy, such as speaking against Moses and God, cursing God, and idolatry. These acts were considered serious offenses, often resulting in severe consequences.

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