Overcoming Sin through Christ

A Comprehensive List of Sins

(Alphabetically Arranged)

Richard Hollerman

The plan of this study is simple.  We will look at a large number of sins, one by one, alphabetically.  We will define the sin, describe it, and comment on it, along with noticing Scripture references on the particular entry.  Some illustrations will be offered along with the description.

Malice or Maliciousness

Malice is one of the sins prevalent among the unbelieving Gentiles, a sin that is “worthy of death” (Romans 1:29, 32).  The term “malice” comes from the Greek kakia, and means “malice, evil, wickedness” especially in “quality or baseness.”[1][1]  It can mean “badness in quality,” or “the vicious character generally.”[2][2]  It means a wickedness “that manifests itself in a hard and vicious disposition toward others.”[3][3]  We can see that malice or maliciousness may be manifested in cruelty, harshness, enmity, hatred, unkindness, and even violence.

Paul writes, “Brethren, do not be children in your thinking; yet in evil [malice] be infants, but in your thinking be mature” (1 Corinthians 14:20).  We are to be childlike in our attitudes and responses, keeping free from a wicked or evil spirit and demeanor.  Paul admonishes the Ephesians, “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

“Malice” is a sin that must be put aside from our life (Colossians 3:8).  The apostle says that we are not to participate in “malice and wickedness” but should partake of “sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:8).  Paul said that he and his fellow-Jews had spent their life “in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another” (Titus 3:3).  James says that we are to put “aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness [malice]” (1:21).  Peter likewise says that we are to put aside “all malice” (1 Peter 2:1).

As in every other sin, we must repent of malice and replace it with a kind, gentle, pure, and loving attitude and disposition.  When Simon sinned, Peter commanded him, “Repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22).

Wickedness (malice) calls for repentance and we must forsake it if we wish to be forgiven!  The malice of Cain, Saul, Ahab, Jezebel, Herod, Pilate, the Pharisees, the Sadducees, and Nero Caesar could have been forgiven—if they had only repented and forsaken their sin.

 

[1][1] Mounce, Expository Dictionary.

[2][2] W. E. Vine, Expository Dictionary, and also quoting Lightfoot.

[3][3] Richards, Expository Dictionary.