Does the Bible have a list of sins?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The Bible provides several lists of sins, though none of them are exhaustive. These lists highlight specific behaviors and attitudes that go against God's will, revealing the destructive consequences of sin. However, simply following these lists cannot purify our hearts, as true obedience comes from a transformed heart through the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus emphasized the importance of purity of heart, not just outward actions, as the foundation of pleasing God. Ultimately, it is through God's grace, not rule-following, that we are enabled to live in a way that honors Him, as we are sanctified and led by the Holy Spirit to be transformed into Christ-likeness.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• In the beginning, Adam and Eve were given only one rule—not to eat from a particular tree (Genesis 2:16-17). It was a short list, but they failed to keep even that. The repeated lesson of history is that making a list of sin is insufficient to keep us from committing sin.
• God gave the Law through Moses, including the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:1-22). Yet Israel had broken the first commandment before Moses even got off Mt. Sinai (Exodus 32:1-6).
• Jewish religious leaders have found in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament) 613 laws to obey (Exodus 20–23; Leviticus 17-26; Numbers 5-6, 15, 19; Deuteronomy 5-26). While these laws gave examples of what sin was, they are not comprehensive. Further, even following all these laws could not guarantee avoidance of sin and a clean heart (Deuteronomy 6:25).
• Leviticus 18:6-30 outlines various sexual sins and forbidden practices that violate God’s holiness and the integrity of human relationships. These commands are not just a list of sexual sins to avoid; rather, they reveal the importance of maintaining purity and sanctity in God’s design for human life and sexuality.
• Leviticus 19 emphasizes moral, ethical, and social behavior that reflects God's holiness, including justice, honesty, and respect for others. It is not just a list of rules to follow, but it reveals God’s character and calls God's people to live distinctly, setting them apart from surrounding nations through their actions and attitudes.
• Proverbs 6:16-19 warns against behaviors that disrupt society and harm others, such as pride, lies, and violence. These "seven deadly sins" reflect attitudes that lead to division, injustice, and suffering. Again, these verses are not just a list of sins; they reveal the destructive power of unchecked sin.
• Deuteronomy 18:9-14 warns Israel against the practices of the pagan nations, such as child sacrifice and occultism, which were detestable to God. Naming sin for what it is shows us what is displeasing to God and what harms us.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• The law is more than a list of sins to avoid. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus took portions of the Law and showed that there was more to them than simple obedience. Pleasing God means doing what is right with a pure heart. For example, regarding adultery, Jesus 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). The law said to avoid adultery, but Jesus taught the greater principle of purity of heart.
• The New Testament contains some lists of sins (e.g., Galatians 5:19-21), yet they do not claim to be comprehensive. From these lists, we can identify practices we must avoid, but we realize that our struggle against sin is greater than what any list can cover.
• Sin is "all wrongdoing" (1 John 5:17). Sins of omission are also wrong: "whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin" (James 4:17).
• After God saves us, we have the ability to say "no" to sin: "So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, to make you obey its passions. Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness. For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace" (Romans 6:11-14).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Both the New and Old Testaments provide many lists of sins. However, none of these show every sin possible. Sin is not just about breaking a rule; rather the rules reveal to us God’s character and how He intends us to reflect His character in our lives. Understanding these lists helps us identify the destructive effects of sin in our world, but it also reminds us that following rules alone will not cleanse our hearts. True obedience comes out of love for God and through the power of His Spirit transforming us into His likeness. God doesn't want mere outward obedience; He desires hearts that reflect His character and love for others. God produces the desire and the will to do what pleases Him, and as we live according to the Spirit and not the flesh, our minds, hearts, and actions are transformed. As we yield to the Holy Spirit, He sanctifies us and leads us to righteousness, not based on external lists or regulations but based on a transformed heart. In this process, we are not just avoiding sin but also actively pursuing a life that honors God. Ultimately, it is God’s grace, not our own efforts of rule following, that enables us to please Him.

UNDERSTAND

• The Bible lists specific sins, but they are not exhaustive.
• True obedience comes from a transformed heart, not rule-following.
• God’s grace, not rules, enables us to live in a way that honors Him.

REFLECT

• How is the Holy Spirit transforming your heart so your obedience to God is not just about following rules, but reflects a love for Him?
• In what areas of your life do you tend to focus more on avoiding sin rather than pursuing a heart that pleases God?
• How do you actively yield to the Holy Spirit in your daily life to honor God?

ENGAGE

• How can we help others see that Christianity is not about following rules or avoiding a list of sins to achieve righteousness?
• What are some practical ways we can encourage each other to pursue a heart that reflects God's character rather than focusing on an exhaustive list of sins?
• How do we identify specific sin while not making it about following rules? How do we instead pursue a life that reflects God's holiness and love in a world full of temptations?