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.

Prejudice

This is another term that isn’t found in Scripture, but prejudice definitely is related to principles found in God’s Word.  Prejudice means “an adverse judgment or opinion formed beforehand or without knowledge or examination of the facts.”  Prejudicial means “causing or tending to preconceived judgment or convictions.”[1][1]

We must distinguish between something legitimate here and something not permitted.  It can’t be wrong to conclude that most people in a prison have committed a crime worthy of punishment.  This is not what “prejudicial” means, for we know beforehand, because of facts, that people are confined to a prison because of their personal misdeeds.  It can’t be wrong to observe that hard rock musicians are more likely to take illegal drugs than do retired school teachers!  This would be based on facts as well.  Nor can it be wrong to conclude that certain ethnic groups or religions are known for certain sins or crimes or activities.  This too can be based on plain facts and it is not a virtue to overlook the truth whatever it may be.

When we refer to prejudice, we are referring to an unloving, mean-spirited attitude that can’t see good in a certain group of people.  A Neo-Nazi adherent may not be able to see positive aspects to Jewish people, an Aryan Race promoter may not be able to see good in people of a certain culture, and a KKK clan member may overlook the good in a certain ethnic group.  Do you remember Nathanael’s response to Philip’s announcement about Jesus?  He replied, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”  Philip replied, wisely, “Come and see” (John 1:46).

If you had been there, would you have been prejudiced against any Nazarene? If so, you would have rejected Jesus Himself who grew up in this tiny Galilean village.  If you had lived in the first century, would you have been prejudiced against the Samaritans, a group that most Jewish people rejected?  If so, you would be different from Jesus who was willing to talk to a Samaritan and lead her to the way of salvation (John 4:7-42, esp. v. 9).

If we allow genuine love to guide our relationships with people, we won’t allow the gender, the nationality, the ethnicity, the age, the color, or the language of anyone “turn us off” and make us closed to other people.  We are here on earth to be a light to others in darkness, and this includes all kinds of people (Matthew 5:14-16). While it may be uncomfortable for us to relate intimately with widely diverse people, we need to “die” to our past prejudices and selfish attitudes so we can “serve one another” in love (Galatians 5:13).

One note of clarification is in order.  To be non-prejudicial doesn’t mean that we overlook sin in someone’s life.  We may know of someone who is into drugs, someone who is living with a boyfriend or girlfriend, someone who is living in adultery, someone who is a lesbian or sodomite, someone who smokes or gets drunk, or commits any one of many other sins.  We don’t overlook such sins.

Since we are guided by God’s Word and His view of reality, we do need to recognize that sin is sin. Even if the government or school system says that we should “accept” sodomites, or fornicators, or drug users, or others, we cannot “accept” sin of any kind.  Even when the school system or government says that we should “accept” pluralism (that all religions are equally acceptable), we can’t in any way endorse false religion.  But we can yet lovingly relate to false religionists.  At the same time, we need to be loving and kind and seek to reach out to even these and other sinners, knowing that Jesus Christ died for them and they are in desperate need of God’s grace and salvation.

 

[1][1] The American Heritage College Dictionary.