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🔥 Sin 🔥

"For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23

Sin is disobedience to God. When we sin, we break God's law.

"Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness."

1 John 3-4

You may have heard of the Decalogue, or the Ten Commandments, which are as follows:

  • 1. You shall have no other gods before Me.

  • 2. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything... You shall not bow down to them nor serve them.

  • 3. You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain.

  • 4. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

  • 5. Honor your father and your mother.

  • 6. You shall not murder.

  • 7. You shall not commit adultery.

  • 8. You shall not steal.

  • 9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

  • 10. You shall not covet your neighbor’s house... wife... or anything that belongs to your neighbor.

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Did you know that there are 613 commandments, or Mitzvot in the Torah (first five books of the bible)? A lot of those are ceremonial and civil laws that do not apply to non-Jews. 

The Law teaches us faith and reveals our sin. We cannot be made righteous by keeping the law. 

"For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are." Romans 3:20​

Our best works are like filthy rags.

When we accept Jesus, He takes our sin and clothes us in His righteousness.

The only way to be made righteous is by the grace of Jesus Christ and not by keeping the law.

 

Being justified by the righteousness of Christ does not give us a license to sin, however.  

"What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?"

Romans 6:1

​Being in Christ means that we have to conduct ourselves in a way that is set apart from the world

"For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness" 1 Thessalonians 4:7

“Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel and say to them, "You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy."" Leviticus 19:2

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*God hates sin, and He does not contradict His word and will NOT tolerate sin from anybody, especially church leaders.

"Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly." James 3:1

If anybody claims that God gives them a pass to sin, no matter the type of sin, this person is a liar and operating under a demonic spirit.*

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Our works are the fruit of our faith. Faith without godly works is dead faith, as James emphasizes:

"What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.”

Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder."

James 2:14-19​

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While sin can be any form of disobedience to God, the bible gives us many examples of sin. Listed below are some examples of sin from scripture:​

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Sin List

Sexual Sins

  • Adultery (Exodus 20:14; Proverbs 6:32)

  • Fornication / sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:9–10; Galatians 5:19)

  • Homosexual acts (Leviticus 18:22; Romans 1:26–27)

  • Incest (Leviticus 18:6–18; 1 Corinthians 5:1)

  • Bestiality (Leviticus 18:23)

  • Lust / looking with lust (Matthew 5:28)

  • Prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17–18; 1 Corinthians 6:15–16)

Idolatry & False Worship

  • Worshiping other gods (Exodus 20:3; Deuteronomy 6:14)

  • Making or bowing to idols (Exodus 20:4–5; Isaiah 44:9–20)

  • Sorcery, witchcraft, divination (Deuteronomy 18:10–12; Galatians 5:20)

  • Astrology and consulting spirits (Isaiah 47:13–14)

  • Covetousness (called idolatry in Colossians 3:5)

Sins of the Tongue

  • Lying (Exodus 20:16; Revelation 21:8)

  • Gossip / slander (Proverbs 16:28; Romans 1:29–30)

  • Blasphemy (Leviticus 24:16; Matthew 12:31–32)

  • Perjury (Zechariah 8:17)

  • Swearing falsely or taking God’s name in vain (Exodus 20:7; Matthew 5:34–37)

  • Flattery and deceit (Psalm 12:2–3)

Violence & Hatred

  • Murder (Exodus 20:13; 1 John 3:15)

  • Hatred and anger (Matthew 5:21–22)

  • Strife, fighting, quarrels (Galatians 5:20; James 4:1)

  • Envy and jealousy (Proverbs 14:30; Galatians 5:21)

  • Drunken rage / wrath (Proverbs 20:1; Galatians 5:20)

Injustice & Oppression

  • Stealing (Exodus 20:15; Ephesians 4:28)

  • Fraud and dishonesty (Leviticus 19:11–13; Proverbs 11:1)

  • Bribery and corruption (Exodus 23:8; Proverbs 17:23)

  • Taking advantage of the poor or widows (Exodus 22:22–24; Isaiah 10:1–2)

  • Partiality and injustice (James 2:1–9; Proverbs 24:23)

Sins of the Heart

  • Pride (Proverbs 16:18; James 4:6)

  • Greed / covetousness (Luke 12:15; 1 Timothy 6:10)

  • Unforgiveness (Matthew 6:14–15; Mark 11:25–26)

  • Hypocrisy (Matthew 23:27–28)

  • Rebellion (1 Samuel 15:23)

  • Unbelief (Hebrews 3:12; Revelation 21:8)

Addiction & Lack of Self-Control

  • Drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29–35; Galatians 5:21)

  • Gluttony (Proverbs 23:20–21; Philippians 3:19)

  • Laziness / sloth (Proverbs 6:6–11; 2 Thessalonians 3:10–12)

Spiritual and Doctrinal Corruption / Apostasy

  • Rejecting or denying Christ (Matthew 10:33; 2 Timothy 2:12)

  • False teaching / heresy (2 Peter 2:1–3; Galatians 1:8–9)

  • Loving the world (1 John 2:15–17)

  • Lukewarm faith (Revelation 3:15–16)​

  • Adding to or taking away from God’s Word — Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 22:18–19

  • Following false prophets or spirits — Matthew 24:11; 1 John 4:1

  • Worshiping angels — Colossians 2:18

  • Practicing or tolerating heresy — Titus 3:10; 2 Peter 2:1

  • Denial of the resurrection — 1 Corinthians 15:12–14

  • Seeking signs instead of faith — Matthew 12:39

  • Claiming godliness for gain (spiritual exploitation) — 1 Timothy 6:5

Social and Relational Sins

  • Partiality / favoritism — Leviticus 19:15; James 2:9

  • Neglecting widows and orphans — James 1:27; Isaiah 1:17

  • Breaking promises or covenants — Ecclesiastes 5:4–5; Ezekiel 17:15–19

  • Mocking or scorning others — Proverbs 14:9; Proverbs 17:5

  • False accusation / bearing false witness — Deuteronomy 19:16–19; Psalm 35:11

  • Rejoicing in others’ downfall — Proverbs 24:17–18; Obadiah 1:12

  • Unkindness or lack of mercy — Micah 6:8; Matthew 5:7

  • Causing others to stumble (offend) — Matthew 18:6–7; Romans 14:13

  • Disrespecting authority — Romans 13:1–2; Jude 1:8

Mental and Emotional Sins

  • Anxiety rooted in unbelief — Matthew 6:25–34; Philippians 4:6

  • Bitterness — Hebrews 12:15; Ephesians 4:31

  • Selfish ambition / rivalry — Philippians 2:3; James 3:14–16

  • Harboring resentment — Leviticus 19:18

  • Vain imagination / corrupt thoughts — Genesis 6:5; 2 Corinthians 10:5

  • Hardness of heart — Hebrews 3:13–15

  • Unthankfulness — Romans 1:21; 2 Timothy 3:2

  • Despair and hopelessness (refusal to trust God) — Numbers 14:1–4; Jeremiah 2:13

Economic and Ethical Sins

  • Unjust weights and measures (cheating in trade) — Proverbs 20:10; Amos 8:5

  • Withholding wages — Leviticus 19:13; James 5:4

  • Charging excessive interest (usury) — Exodus 22:25; Ezekiel 18:13

  • Exploiting others for profit — Amos 2:6–7; Proverbs 22:16

  • Greedy gain through violence or deceit — Jeremiah 22:17; Habakkuk 2:9

  • Hoarding wealth selfishly — Luke 12:16–21; James 5:1–5

  • Bringing corruption or scandal to God’s people for money — 2 Peter 2:3; Micah 3:11

Religious Hypocrisy and Misuse of Worship

  • Performing religious acts for show — Matthew 6:1–5

  • Offering sacrifices while living in sin — Isaiah 1:11–15; Amos 5:21–24

  • Neglecting the weightier matters (justice, mercy, faith) — Matthew 23:23

  • Pretending holiness while hating others — 1 John 4:20

  • Taking communion unworthily — 1 Corinthians 11:27–29

  • Forsaking fellowship — Hebrews 10:25

Family and Domestic Sins

  • Dishonoring parents — Exodus 20:12; Matthew 15:4

  • Provoking children to wrath — Ephesians 6:4; Colossians 3:21

  • Neglecting family duties — 1 Timothy 5:8

  • Divorce without biblical cause — Malachi 2:16; Matthew 19:9

  • Adultery of the heart (emotional or secret lust) — Matthew 5:28

  • Abuse (physical or verbal) — Colossians 3:19; Psalm 11:5

Sins Against the Holy Spirit

  • Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit — Matthew 12:31–32

  • Resisting the Spirit — Acts 7:51

  • Grieving the Spirit — Ephesians 4:30

  • Quenching the Spirit — 1 Thessalonians 5:19

  • Lying to the Holy Spirit — Acts 5:3–5

Neglect and Omission

  • Knowing good and not doing it — James 4:17

  • Failing to care for the needy — Matthew 25:42–45

  • Neglecting prayer — 1 Samuel 12:23; Luke 18:1

  • Neglecting Scripture — Hosea 4:6

  • Neglecting evangelism / witness — Ezekiel 3:18–19; Matthew 28:19–20

  • Lukewarm devotion — Revelation 3:15–16

Other Listed Sins in Scripture

From Galatians 5:19–21, 1 Corinthians 6:9–10, Romans 1:28–32, and Revelation 21:8, we also find:

  • Malice

  • Deceit

  • Disobedience to parents

  • Covenant-breaking

  • Unmercifulness

  • Sorcery

  • Abominable acts

  • Cowardice

Avoid

Biblically Forbidden Spiritual Practices

(Directly condemned in Scripture: Deut. 18:9–12; Lev. 19:26, 31; Gal. 5:20; Acts 19:19)

  1. Witchcraft and sorcery

  2. Divination or fortune-telling

  3. Mediumship / necromancy (communicating with the dead)

  4. Astrology and horoscopes

  5. Palm reading

  6. Enchantments and spell-casting

  7. Idolatry / worship of false gods

  8. Making or using idols, statues, or images for prayer

  9. Consulting spirits or “spirit guides”

  10. Magic charms or amulets for protection

  11. Sacrifices or rituals to any deity other than the Lord

  12. Pagan festivals and occult ceremonies

  13. False prophecy and channeling

  14. Using “holy water,” “blessed salt,” or physical items as protection

  15. Sorcerer’s books and grimoires

  16. Spirit possession rituals (e.g., voodoo, santería, shaman trances)

  17. Clairvoyance / second sight

  18. Séances and spirit communication

  19. Crystal ball gazing

  20. Tea leaf reading

  21. Rune casting

  22. Numerology

  23. Astral projection / soul travel

  24. Divination through objects (pendulums, rods, or water)

  25. Automatic writing

 

Modern Occult and New Age Practices

(Contemporary “spiritual” forms of forbidden practices)

  1. Yoga (spiritual aspect rooted in Hindu worship)

  2. Tai Chi / Qigong for spiritual energy

  3. Reiki and energy healing

  4. Chakra alignment / Kundalini awakening

  5. Aura cleansing

  6. Healing crystals and crystal grids

  7. Meditation for spirit contact or “emptying the mind”

  8. Third-eye opening techniques

  9. Manifestation / Law of Attraction

  10. Visualization / “creative manifestation”

  11. Angel cards or oracle cards

  12. Tarot cards

  13. Pendulum divination

  14. Spirit boards / Ouija boards

  15. Channeling entities (“Ascended Masters,” “universal energy,” etc.)

  16. Burning sage or palo santo for “cleansing”

  17. Using essential oils for spiritual protection

  18. Astrology apps or zodiac readings

  19. Past-life regression / reincarnation therapy

  20. Hypnosis for spiritual or past-life insight

  21. Dream interpretation for prophecy

  22. Sound baths and frequency healing rituals

  23. Vision boards used for manifestation

  24. Enneagram as a spiritual tool

  25. Feng Shui (spiritual home arrangement)

 

Objects Associated with the Occult or False Religion

(Items linked to non-Christian or spiritualist use)

  1. Crystals used for “healing” or “energy balancing”

  2. Dreamcatchers (spirit-protection talismans)

  3. Talismans, amulets, or charms

  4. Evil eye pendants

  5. “Third eye” symbols

  6. Pentagrams and hexagrams used in magic

  7. Wiccan tools (athames, chalices, wands, altars)

  8. Spell books or grimoires

  9. Incense used for summoning or rituals

  10. Prayer beads from non-Christian faiths (Hindu mala, Buddhist rosary, Islamic tasbih)

  11. Catholic rosaries used for repetitive Marian prayers

  12. Statues or images of deities, saints, or ancestors

  13. Idols and figurines from other faiths (Buddha, Hindu gods, etc.)

  14. “Ankh” (Egyptian life charm)

  15. Yin-yang symbol (Taoist dualism)

  16. Zodiac or astrological jewelry

  17. Healing or magnetic bracelets

  18. Pagan or witchcraft jewelry

  19. All-seeing eye symbols

  20. Hamsa hands

  21. Mandalas used for meditation

  22. Pagan altar setups

  23. Animal totems or spirit-animal carvings

  24. Divination runes / Norse symbols

  25. Feng Shui charms or mirrors

  26. Voodoo dolls or talismans

  27. Incantation candles

  28. Santería beads or jewelry

 

Superstitions, Games, and Rituals

(Activities that open spiritual doors or mimic occultism)

  1. Bloody Mary mirror ritual

  2. Charlie Charlie pencil game

  3. Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board

  4. Summoning spirits in mirrors

  5. Candle summoning games (e.g., “Midnight Man”)

  6. Spirit photography / EVP recordings

  7. Using pendulums or crystals to ask questions

  8. “Calling upon ancestors” or ancestor altars

  9. Online spellcasting (e.g., WitchTok, “manifestation challenges”)

  10. Halloween séances or “ghost hunts”

  11. Burning papers to send wishes to spirits

  12. Lucky charms (rabbit’s foot, four-leaf clover, horseshoe, etc.)

  13. Knocking on wood

  14. Crossing fingers for luck

  15. Throwing salt over shoulder

  16. Breaking mirrors (bad luck superstition)

  17. Reading omens or signs from animals or dreams

  18. Superstitious “cleansing” baths or moon water rituals

  19. Spirit box sessions

  20. Automatic writing / channeling messages

  21. Dowsing rods / ghost meters

  22. Ritual candles for love, money, or revenge

  23. Using “angel numbers” (111, 333, etc.) for divine messages

  24. “Spirit animal” quizzes or roleplays

  25. Witchcraft-themed video games and movies

  26. Spirit-hunting or ghost-themed games

  27. Horror movies glorifying demons, witchcraft, or possession

  28. Music promoting rebellion, witchcraft, or blasphemy

  29. Cartoons or anime involving spells, summoning, or idols

  30. Role-playing games involving real spells or rituals

 

Philosophies and Belief Systems Opposed to Biblical Truth

(Systems that deny Christ, mix religions, or promote self-deification)

  1. New Age spirituality

  2. Universalism (“all paths lead to God”)

  3. Humanism (man-centered belief)

  4. Theosophy

  5. Transcendental Meditation

  6. Pantheism (“God is everything”)

  7. Satanism / Luciferianism

  8. Freemasonry

  9. Scientology

  10. Mormonism (distorted Christology)

  11. Jehovah’s Witness teachings

  12. Islam (denies divinity of Christ)

  13. Hinduism and reincarnation

  14. Buddhism (denies Creator God)

  15. Taoism (yin-yang dualism)

  16. Animism and tribal spirit worship

  17. Wicca and witchcraft (white/black magic)

  18. Kabbalah mysticism

  19. Christian Science

  20. Eckankar

  21. Baháʼí Faith

  22. Universalist interfaith worship

  23. Necromancy / ancestor summoning religions

  24. Santería / Vodou / Ifá spiritual systems

 

Key Scriptures Warning Against These Things

  • Deuteronomy 18:10–12 — Forbids witchcraft, divination, and consulting the dead

  • Leviticus 19:31 — Warns against seeking mediums or familiar spirits

  • Isaiah 8:19–20 — “Should not a people inquire of their God?”

  • Acts 19:19 — Believers burned their occult books after conversion

  • Galatians 5:19–21 — Sorcery and idolatry are works of the flesh

  • 1 Corinthians 10:20–21 — Pagan sacrifices are offered to demons

  • Ephesians 5:11 — “Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them.”

And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.  Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

-Matthew 28:18-20

Light of the World Initiative

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