5 Sins That Christians Ignore

Sin is defined as any behavior that is against the law or word of God. Therefore to sin is to rebel against God.
1 John 3:4 says: Everyone who makes a practice of sinning also practices lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

From God’s perspective – the issue of sin is always a very serious matter. For example, Adam’s one sin in the garden of Eden had such an impact on humanity that every person who is born after Adam has inherited a sin nature. Therefore, we are all born with the natural inclination to sin or rebel against God since the day Adam ate from the forbidden tree.
Romans 5:12 NLT says: When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned.

Furthermore, sin is such a serious issue with God that God became flesh so that He may be sacrificed on the cross to pay the debt for sin that mankind could not pay.
2 Corinthians 5:21 NLT says: For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.

Therefore the seriousness of our sins is that: it is the sin of man which nailed Jesus Christ to the cross to be crucified for our sake and for our redemption.

However there are several sins that many Christians seem to ignore or take for granted. Some of these sins have become habitual to the extent that they affect our relationship with God and with others.
Below are 5 sins that Christians ignore …

 

1. TELLING LIES / BEARING FALSE WITNESS

In Proverbs 6:17 the Bible lists “a lying tongue” as one of the deadly sins that God hates. Therefore God hates it when people tell lies or when they have a habit of speaking falsehoods.
Exodus 20:16 says: You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

Therefore as Christians we are encouraged to speak the truth. We are encouraged to walk with integrity. We are encouraged not to gossip or speak falsely of other people.
Proverbs 8:7 says: For my mouth will utter truth; wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Ephesians 4:25 says: Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

Ephesians 4:15 says: But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ

 

2. PRIDE AND NARCISSISM

Pride can be described as egotism, conceitedness, arrogance, vanity. Pride is when one thinks of themselves more highly than they ought to. It is when one thinks of themselves to be better than others. Pride is when a person gives himself credit for something that God has accomplished. It is an attitude of self-glorification and narcissism.
Proverbs 21:4 says: Haughty eyes and a proud heart, the lamp of the wicked, are sin

Proverbs 16:5 says: Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the Lord; be assured, he will not go unpunished.

The Bible encourages Christians to walk in humility and not pride or arrogance. We should relate with others through a humble heart. Christians are to reflect one of the 9 fruits of the Holy Spirit which is humility.
Philippians 2:3 says: Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.

James 4:10 says: Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will exalt you.

 

3. WORRY & ANXIETY

As Christians it’s so easy to forget that worrying or anxiety is a sin. Whenever we worry, we are reflecting that we do not trust God. Worrying is a sign that we have allowed fear to rule our thoughts and actions.
For example, in Psalms 37:1-8 we are told not to fret because of the wicked. In Matthew 6:25-34 Jesus tells us not to be anxious about our life and what we shall eat or wear. He also tells us not to worry about tomorrow because we cannot control the future.

Therefore one of the ways we can handle worry and anxiety is by praying to God and learning to trust in Him and His word.

Philippians 4:6-7 says: Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Proverbs 3:5-6 says: Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths

 

4. IDOLATRY

We might not have a golden calf in our home which we pray to; We might not have a statue of someone or something that we worship in a church building. However in our modern world there are many forms of idolatry that exist.
Perhaps it’s money that you idolize and you would do anything including lying and stealing to get money or riches. Perhaps it’s your cellphone or social media accounts which take up most of your productive time. Perhaps it’s a person whom you idolize like your pastor or prophet or “spiritual father” who has taken more authority and influence over your life than Jesus Christ Himself.
Idolatry exists in many forms and it can be both subtle and blatant. An idol is anyone or anything that takes the place of God in your life.

Psalm 135:15-18 says: The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; 17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths. 18 Those who make them become like them, so do all who trust in them!

1 Corinthians 10:14 says: Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry

Colossians 3:5 says: Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.

 

5. COVETING

To covet is to desire (what belongs to another) inordinately or culpably; to wish or want to have something very much, especially something that belongs to someone else:

Exodus 20:17 says: “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”

In Luke 12:15 Jesus said: “Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.”

Coveting can lead to other sins, such as greed, jealousy and immoral cravings and desires. According to Colossians 3:5 coveting is a form of idolatry.

Therefore instead of having a covetous spirit, God teaches us to be content with whatever we have at any given time.
1 Timothy 6:6-7 says: Now there is great gain in godliness with contentment, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.

Philippians 4:11-13 says: Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.

We should therefore trust God to supply us with whatever we need without having a covetous mindset.

 

Conclusion

It is possible that there are many other sins that Christians no longer take seriously or take for granted.
The key thing is to realize the seriousness of sin and to learn to walk on a path that glorifies God.
Christians are called to be salt and light in a dark and depraved world (Matthew 5:13-16).

Though Christians live in the world, they should not conform to the standards of the world (Romans 12:2).

Therefore Christians are called to become more like Jesus and reflect His nature and character in daily living.