Four "Small" Sins in the Eyes of Many Christians
Introduction
A. The Definition of Sin The Bible defines sin as the transgression of God's law (1 John 3:4). It is not merely a human mistake or a lapse in judgment; it is an act of rebellion against the divine will of the Creator.
B. The Fallacy of Classification Man often categorizes sins into "great" and "small," but in the presence of a Holy God, every sin is a grave matter. Sin, regardless of its perceived scale, severs communion with the Father. As Romans 6:23 warns, the wages of sin—any sin—is death.
C. The Path to Mercy Proverbs 28:13 — "Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy." This foundational doctrinal principle teaches two things:
1. Confession: Agreeing with God about the reality of our state (1 John 1:9).
2. Renunciation: Genuine repentance that leads to a change of direction.
D. Hidden Dangers Today, we will examine four specific sins that are frequently minimized or ignored by believers, yet are revealed by Scripture to be spiritually toxic.
I. The Sin of the Tongue
Proverbs 13:3 — "Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin."
1. Destructive Power
The tongue is a small member with immense influence. As James 3:9 notes, it can bless God in one moment and curse men in the next.
• Life and Death: The power of life and death is in the tongue (Proverbs 18:21).
• Division: It is often the primary tool for sowing discord among brothers, something God detests (Proverbs 6:19; 16:28).
• Doctrinal Note: The tongue is the thermometer of the soul; it reveals the true condition of the heart (Matthew 12:34-37).
2. An Instrument of Iniquity
The Bible lists several ways the tongue becomes an instrument of sin:
• Blasphemy (Psalm 10:7).
• Deceit and Malice (Psalm 140:3).
• Offensive and Corrupt Talk (Ephesians 4:29). Jesus warned that on the day of judgment, we will give an account for every "idle word" spoken (Matthew 12:36).
3. Purpose: To Edify
The New Man is called to use speech differently:
• Seasoned with Grace: (Colossians 4:6).
• A Gentle Tongue: Which is a tree of life (Proverbs 15:4).
• Guarding against Evil: (Psalm 34:13).
Application: Gossip, constant criticism, and murmuring are not "small flaws"; they are sins that must be confessed and abandoned.
II. The Sin of Idleness (Slothfulness)
Proverbs 6:6 — "Go to the ant, you sluggard; consider its ways and be wise!"
1. The Call to Diligence
God is a worker, and He calls His children to be diligent. From the Garden of Eden, man was given a mandate to work (Genesis 2:15).
• Roman 12:11: We are commanded to never be lacking in zeal, but to keep our spiritual fervor.
2. Spiritual Consequences of Laziness
Slothfulness leads to both material and spiritual poverty (Proverbs 10:4; 13:4).
• We are told to "be diligent" to present ourselves approved unto God (2 Timothy 2:15) and to "be very careful" how we live (Ephesians 5:15).
• Doctrinal Note: Idleness is a failure of stewardship and responsibility before God.
3. Diligence as a Sign of Maturity
Titus was commended for his diligence (2 Corinthians 8:22), and the woman in Jesus' parable searched "diligently" for her lost coin (Lucas 15:8).
Application: Spiritual negligence—failing to pray, study the Word, or serve—is a sin of omission that requires repentance.
III. The Sin of Envy
Proverbs 14:30 — "A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
1. Internal Decay
Envy is unique because it destroys the host. It is described as a "rot" or "cancer" in the bones, consuming the soul from the inside out.
2. The Example of Joseph
The brothers of Joseph allowed envy to take root (Genesis 37:11).
• It began with an inability to speak peacefully (37:4).
• It escalated to hatred and a plot to murder him (37:20, 28).
• Image of the Heart: This illustrates how "small" envy quickly births "large" violence.
3. A Work of the Flesh
Envy is not a character quirk; it is a "work of the flesh" (Galatians 5:21). Those who live in it contradict the very definition of Christian love, which "does not envy" (1 Corinthians 13:4). Jesus explicitly denounced the "evil eye" of envy in the heart (Matthew 20:15).
Application: Envy within the church destroys communion and ruins our collective testimony to the world.
IV. The Sin of Not Listening to God
Proverbs 28:9 — "If anyone turns a deaf ear to my instruction, even their prayers are detestable."
1. Rejecting the Word
To reject God's Word is to reject God Himself. If we intentionally turn away from His instruction, even our attempts at piety (like prayer) become an abomination to Him.
2. The Blessing of Hearing
Hearing is the prerequisite for faith (Romans 10:17).
• Those who listen "dwell in safety" (Proverbs 1:33).
• Blessings are consistently conditioned upon hearing and obeying (Deuteronomy 15:5-6).
3. The Hardening of the Heart
Jesus noted that the reason many rejected Him was that His Word had "no place" in them (John 8:37). Neglecting the Bible, worship, or sound teaching is not a minor oversight—it is a dangerous hardening of the heart.
- Faced with an impossibility, what can we do?
- The Pathways to Encountering God
- How To Be a New Man in Christ
Conclusion
A. No Small Sin In the light of a Holy God, there are no "little" sins. A small spark can burn down a great forest, and a "small" sin can destroy a life and a ministry.
B. The Remedy Proverbs 28:13 remains our only hope:
1. Confess: Stop making excuses for your gossip, your laziness, your envy, or your neglect of the Word.
2. Renounce: Turn away from these habits today.
3. Find Mercy: God is faithful to forgive and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
