All Sin Is Not The Same

Posted by Scott Williams
18 Comments
March 26, 2009
Jesus | Life Application

sinLESSONS I LEARNED IN PRISON #4 “ALL SIN IS NOT THE SAME” 

Individuals come into the prison system for a wide range of sins including but not limited to: stealing, lying, cheating, robbery, drug selling, drug using, possession of firearms, violation of parole, murder….. and the biggest and worse one of them all “Well I will get to that one in a minute.” 

One thing that is clear in the prison/judicial system is that sin has labels; some sins are worse than other sins.  A person might receive 5 years for one crime and 20 years for another crime.  Two individuals might commit the same crime and receive different sentences depending upon the circumstances, the judge, the attorneys, the jury and so on; in other words the gravity of their sentence is open to interpretation. 

We should not judge people, or throw stones… because we are all sinners and that sin nature is what separates us from God.  The reality is, sin has labels and in the prison system the biggest and worst sinners of them all are “Sex Offender” whom are treated totally different then any of the other sinners (more likely to be brutalized, raped, killed…) “That’s not perception, that’s reality!”  

There is a sin classification in the eyes of other inmates and there is also a sin classification in the eyes of the public.  I remember sitting down talking to a A Sex Offender and some of his peers when I was a Warden and him saying to me: “By being in prison we are considered by most to be the scum of the earth; by being a Sex Offender we are considered the scum, of the scum of the earth, we ain’t %@#$.” 

All sin is the same: If we cut ourselves small, medium or large we will bleed and those cuts (sins) are what separate us from God.  Some of those cuts may bleed longer, may leave a bigger scar and may even lead to death. 

  • All sin is not the same in the Prison System
  • All sin is not the same in the Judicial System 
  • All sin is not the same in __________________

Is all sin the same in “our” system?  Do we tend to think that other people’s sin is worse than our sin?  Does God view all sin the same?  Should a Sex Offender be treated differently? Questions, Questions, Questions?

  • http://www.queenofrelationships.com Lindsay

    This was a great read. For some reason, I actually thought that there was no greater sin than another. Did that make sense? I should have probably listened a little better in Sunday School.

  • http://www.everydaycookin.com Darius T. Williams

    You’re such a pastor…I loved the way this was set up! Great post.

  • mikep

    I don’t think anyone can look at another and say that person is a worse person because of their sins because we all have the ability to commit any sin if we make some bad decisions. I think that God has distinction for different sins. God’s Word seems to show a different level of hatred for certain types of sin such as sins against children. Good post, I’m definitely going to be thinking about this some more.

  • Zane

    The two men on the crosses next to Jesus, they knew they deserved to be there. One was ticked off but the other man realized he was next to his Savior. Did Jesus ask either of them what they did, how serious or not their sins were? Do you think that if that was Hitler on that cross, that Jesus would’ve reminded him of how unspeakably evil he was during his life? Christ came so that NO ONE would perish… period. If you were on that cross, God would be looking at your heart, not your sin. I believe the Bible communicates this over and over in so many ways.

  • http://seeyouin1984.com Adrian Turner

    Good read, thanks!

    Unfortunately we do look at sin different, but in God’s eye all sin is bad.

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

    Stealing is a sin just like murdering is a sin so that verse says to me that sin is bad and leads to death

  • http://therighttobeararms.info Jay Caruso

    What does the Bible tell us?

    “The wages of sin is death.” – Romans 6:23

    It doesn’t say the wages of one sin is death but another isn’t.

    As such, it seems to me that God doesn’t separate sin out. The person who steals a pack of gum but never accepts Jesus as his Lord and savior will spend eternity in hell separated from God. The person who rapes a woman, repents and does accept Christ will be glorified by Christ and spend eternity in heaven. Should the rapist be treated differently under the eyes of the law here on earth than the person who steals a pack of gum? Of course. But that makes no difference at all when we stand in judgment before God when we pass from our earthly life.

    The problem is a human one. It’s our own arrogance that allows us to classify one sin as “worse” than another. Watch how quickly many Christians will become self-righteous regarding homosexuality but won’t deal with the issue of their own say…..adultery. Not physical, but the lust they have had for another woman or man in their hearts. We disdain murderers, but the Bible tells (Matthew 5:21-24) us that to have hatred in our heart for another is to commit murder.

  • http://www.twitter.com/joshwren Josh Wren

    It is true that in God’s eyes “the person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws” (James 2:10 nlt) However I don’t think Scott is disputing that. I think 1 Cor 5:9-11 makes a good point “When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. 10 But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. 11 I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer* yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.”

  • http://whosreadsthisstuff.blogspot.com/ K Ford

    Ow! Ow! My head hurts from thinking this morning. I think the enemy wants us to compare ourselves to others because we start to justify that our sin is not as bad as someone else’s sin. Tricky devil.

    Jesus told us that even looking at someone lustfully is the same committing adultery. The world does not agree that those two acts are the same. But no matter how “big” or “small” our sins are, they keep us separated from a holy God.

    That’s why Jesus came. He was the perfect, sinless sacrifice. So that one day transformed sinners like you and me and even sex offenders could spend eternity with Him.

  • http://www.fayebryant.com Faye

    Bingo, Scott!

    I think it’s just hard in our compartmentalized minds to equate gossip with murder, or slandering God with child molesting. All are sin. God hates them all. It’s us who sees the differences when really we have to come to grips with the fact that even what we call the tiniest “white” lie is WHY Jesus had to come and save us.

    Thanks for voicing this so clearly!

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s Charley

    Zane, and others too,

    Concerning, “Did Jesus ask either of them what they did, how serious or not their sins were?”, I supposed that when hanging on a cross with railroad spikes lodged between the bones in your wrists and feet, and you are feeling the separation from your Father and you are bearing the weight of sin which you have never known, you most likely will not engage in lessons they already knew in their hearts.

    Sin/transgression is a crime against an infinitely Holy Creator. Although sin is a crime and all crime must be punished (this is the essence of James 2:10), the use of the gum v. rape analogy only suffices to point out that, despite the gravity or triviality of the sin, one has sinned against the infinite holiness of the Creator thereby condemnation is demanded without exception.

    The above describes the “Go/No-Go” test for entrance into my God’s Heaven.

    However, the argument that there is no distinction in severity of sin is NOT Biblical. “It’s our own arrogance that allows us to classify one sin as “worse” than another” is also NOT Biblical. God himself dictated & Moses scribed the Law which is replete with examples of “punishment must not exceed the severity of the crime”. We know of this “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, etc.” This wasn’t Moses’ idea, this was demanded by God himself.

    Note the punishment for some crimes demanded monetary compensation where others demanded death. Again, this is from God.

    Next, Jesus himself expressed “it will be more bearable for…” them “…than for you on the Day of Judgment”. This no doubt, indicates distinction in severity of the crime.

    Lastly, all to often we build arguments (doctrinal paradigms) on what the scriptures do not say as if the author is required to “express it or it just ain’t so”. This is poor Biblical exegesis both logically & hermeneutically.

  • http://www.makariosproductions.com Makarios58

    It is only when we compare ourselves to each other (something we should never do, II Corinthians 10:12) that we get self-righteous or envious. When we see the Lord, Isaiah 6:5 (who is the proper measuring stick) Then we are instantly aware our own selves, and realize that what we deserve is no better than what anyone else deserves (death). One of the biggest snares we have is our unavoidable tendency to think our crap smells better than our neighbors. It really really doesn’t, no matter how accustomed to our own we may be.

    We are all cut from the same dirt, but there is a tremendous passage: II Corinthians 3:18. If we embrace it as a way of life we will grow. The glass/mirror referred to in this passage, I believe, is the Word of God.

  • http://cindybeall.com Cindy Beall

    Here’s what I know: All sin is ugly to God. Does he hate it when we murder? Yes. Does he hate it when we gossip? Yes. But, we won’t spend time in the state penitentiary for gossiping. Would I rather someone gossip about my friend instead of murdering them? Absolutely.

    So, really, it’s about the consequences which is an earthly thing. As I’ve always said, God doesn’t punish us, our sin does.

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubONkZwT9Mc Charley

    God doesn’t punish us, our sin does.

    There are two camps — Us & Them. By “us” I mean the redeemed, those adopted into Father’s family. By “them” I mean those not redeemed thereby they remain the children of Satan.

    Both camps sin. Jesus atones for the sins of those the Father has given him. The other must bear the weight of their sins.

    Implied in the statement, “God doesn’t punish us, our sin does” is the only consequence that exists for sin is the “natural” or “logical” consequence. Here lies partial truth. It is true there is “natural” and “logical” consequence for sin. God doesn’t punish is purely a lie.

    Jesus wasn’t punished by sin. He knew no sin.

    Because we who are redeemed are purchased/adopted into the Father’s family, we are subject to a Father discipline.

    We are told:
    “My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord,
    nor be weary when reproved by him.
    For the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
    and chastises every son whom he receives.”

    It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons. For what son is there whom his father does not discipline? If you are left without discipline, in which all have participated, then you are illegitimate children and not sons. 9Besides this, we have had earthly fathers who disciplined us and we respected them. Shall we not much more be subject to the Father of spirits and live? For they disciplined us for a short time as it seemed best to them, but he disciplines us for our good, that we may share his holiness. For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

    For “them” not redeem the read:

    Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

    “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,
    on the day of testing in the wilderness,
    where your fathers put me to the test
    and saw my works for forty years.
    Therefore I was provoked with that generation, and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;
    they have not known my ways.’
    As I swore in my wrath,
    ‘They shall not enter my rest.’    “     Heb 3:7-11 NIV

    “I swore in my wrath” is not the sin punishing, rather God punishing.

    “Do not be deceived God will not be mocked”

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubONkZwT9Mc Charley

    For those who say, “God would be looking at your heart, not your sin”, I say this, sin is the outward manifestation of a corrupt, dark, fruitless, lawless, & evil heart. It is true God looks at the heart.

    “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matt 6:21 NIV

    “Knowing their thoughts, Jesus said, “Why do you entertain evil thoughts in your hearts?”" Matt 9:4 NIV

    “You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks.” Matt 12:34 NIV

    “For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.” Matt 15:19 NIV

    Notice in the above passage, “murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander” are external or outward manifestations. Where someone may deny they have an evil heart there deeds testify to the contrary.

    As For “God doesn’t punish us, our sin does”, I provide this passage as a reminder.

    “For if we [Christians] go on sinning deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a fearful expectation of judgment, and a fury of fire that will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the law of Moses dies without mercy on the evidence of two or three witnesses. How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has spurned the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace? For we know him who said, “Vengeance is mine; I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge his people.” It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31 ESV

  • http://www.speedofcreativity.org Wesley Fryer

    If we attempt to answer your question from the perspective of God, the answer is that sin is sin. Any sin separates us from God. As humans we see sins differently. Because God is holy, we can’t join him/be with him if we are tainted by sin. So, while we differentiate between sins here on earth, and I think our flesh nature makes it natural for us to do this, in God’s view there are no differences. Thankfully, Christ has given himself to all of us as a sacrifice to atone for our sins, whether we perceive them to be big or small. So, I don’t think this is a trick question. It’s a very important idea, and I think it’s a great way to catalyze conversations about sin and these related issues as you’ve done. :-)

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s Charley

    Wesley,

    I see your opinion, “from the perspective of God, the answer is that sin is sin. Any sin separates us from God.”

    I do agree any sin is sufficient for condemnation per James 2:10. If your only message is that, then all is cool, but is the totality of your statement correct?

    Since you are speaking as though you stepped into God’s shoes (I have no problem with that), can you support your opinion from the text of scripture that ALL sin is EQUAL in gravity from God’s prospective? In other words, would God carry out punishment for stealing a pack of gum or speeding or by taking a parents baby as He did King David & Bathsheba’s first child?

    Did you argue above differentiation of sin throughout the Mosaic Law was a human effort and not of God despite “Thus saith the Lord…”?

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTc_FoELt8s Charley

    Oops!

    correction

    In other words, would God carry out punishment for stealing a pack of gum or speeding by taking a parents baby as He did King David & Bathsheba’s first child?

  • Donald

    Actually, and I don’t have my bible handy (forgive me), but I think it is in the letter of 1st John, that it is written that
    If any one see his brother sinning a sin that is NOT unto death, pray for him…all sin is lawlessness, but there is sin that is not unto death” (I hope I stated that reasonably accurately), so no, not all sin is equally-grave, especially for Christians. BUT, Jesus DID say that to desire a serious sin in one’s heart, is the same as having committed the sin, so there are many self-righteous believers who want to see someone who has violated Society’s laws to get the Book thrown at them, or be locked up for years, but wouldn’t for one minute want God to send THEM to hell for their own serious sins of either the heart or of commission. The Woman Caught In Adultery was breaking both God’s law and the Mosaic Law, which had been the Law of the Land of Israel (statute). She, judicially-speaking and not just morally-speaking, deserved the sentence of death. Jesus did not allow them to stone her, even though she was guilty of what back then amounted to felonies. Jesus commuted her sentence and told her to not commit that sin again.
    The government of the United States has issued statistics repeatedly asserting that an enormous number of Americans regularly cheat on their Income Tax (for example). Do they NOT realize that, when they deliberately cheat and then SIGN their tax form, that they are commiting the VERY SERIOUS crime of deliberate perjury? That they could be jailed for this? I doubt that many of them give it much of a thought at all. One has to wonder how many of these repeat-offender Tax Cheats are also respectable members of their respective Churches?
    One would hope that they repent of such deeds.

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