Are All Sins Equal? Understanding Sin, Consequence, and the Power of Redemption

I had a question come in from someone in the congregation—simple, honest, but weighty: “Are there any sins more grievous than others?” That one stopped me in my tracks, because it doesn’t just touch theology—it touches the heart. So today, I want to answer that the best way I know how: by going to Scripture and letting God’s Word speak plainly.

Full sermon

Time stamps for video (you can skip to the part you want to listen to):

Introduction: 00:00
How the Holy Bible is meant to be interpreted: 00:38
Scripture reading: 02:54
Question, “Are there any sins more grievous than others: 03:59
All sin is against God: 04:43
Different levels of sins, different levels of consequences: 07:42
What is “Blaspheming the Holy Spirit?”: 11:37
Can a Christian blaspheme the Holy Spirit?: 17:18
The solution to the sickness & death of sin, Jesus Christ: 26:37

The Article

Why Scripture Is Our Authority

Before we get into the meat of it, I need to say something. Whenever we say something is right or wrong—whether we’re speaking to believers or unbelievers—we’re not leaning on our own opinion. We’re leaning on the Bible. That’s our foundation. And we don’t get to interpret it however we want.

There’s a method to this. It’s called hermeneutics—a big word that simply means interpreting the Bible rightly. It involves historical context, grammar, literary style, and the principle that Scripture interprets Scripture. It protects us from making the Bible say what we want it to say.

And once you understand that, you see this clearly: Scripture has one meaning, and many applications. So we’ve got to start there.

All Sin Is Against God

Let’s look at the big picture first. The Bible doesn’t give us room to rank sin by our standards. James 2:10 says, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.”

Whether it’s a “small” lie or something truly awful, sin is sin. It breaks God’s law, and it breaks our relationship with Him. Think of it like a mirror—you crack it in one spot, it’s still broken.

Romans 3 confirms this. The law exists to show us our sin, to reveal God’s holiness and how far we fall short. Every single one of us is guilty. And if you think you’ve kept it all, try reading the Sermon on the Mount.

But Do Consequences Vary?

Now here’s where it gets more complicated. While all sin is rebellion against God, not every sin carries the same earthly consequence—or eternal weight.

Luke 12:47-48 talks about servants who disobey, and some get beaten with many stripes while others get fewer. The more knowledge you have, the more accountable you are. God takes that seriously.

John 19:11 shows Jesus telling Pilate, “He that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.” Greater sin. That came from Jesus Himself.

It’s like our legal system—murder and speeding aren’t treated the same. One is worse, and that’s reflected in the sentence. The same is true in God’s justice. All sin condemns us, but the weight and consequence of some sins are more severe.

What About the Unforgivable Sin?

This is one that worries people deeply. Matthew 12:31-32 says that blasphemy against the Holy Spirit shall not be forgiven. That’s not symbolic. That’s real. But what does it mean?

Context matters. The Pharisees saw Jesus casting out demons and said He did it by the power of Satan—Beelzebub. They saw a work of the Holy Spirit and called it demonic.

Mark 3:30 clarifies: “Because they said, He hath an unclean spirit.”

That’s not a slip of the tongue. That’s a hardened heart, fully informed, willfully rejecting God’s Spirit. That’s the unpardonable sin.

Can a Christian Commit That Sin?

No. If someone has truly been born again, they will not blaspheme the Holy Spirit. 1 John 2:19 says that those who walked away never really belonged to the body of Christ to begin with.

And listen—if you’re worried you might have committed the unpardonable sin, then you haven’t. The people who do, don’t care. They’re hardened. The very fear of offending God is evidence that the Holy Spirit is still working in you.

Grace Is Greater Than Sin

Isaiah 53:6 says, “The LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us.”

Whether your past includes pride, theft, pornography, or worse—Jesus paid it all. I’ve seen hardened men behind bars find grace. If He can forgive them, He can forgive you.

Walk It Out in Grace

Here’s the challenge: we don’t get to choose who we share the gospel with. You can’t walk past someone trapped in a “respectable” sin and feel compassion, while ignoring someone caught in something more taboo.

They all need Jesus. Just like we did. And it’s our job to carry that message with humility, truth, and love.

You don’t have to be loud. Just be faithful. Be the kind of person people can ask questions to. Let your walk match your words. That’s what it means to be a living testimony.