Does the Bible Say Worry Is a Sin?

A reader recently asked if the Bible says worry is a sin. Here's how our writers responded:

Worry was as relevant a topic in the Old and New Testament as it is today. Inner angst isn’t new, and anxiety isn’t something unique to the current culture. I hope it’s reassuring to you to hear that the Bible has a lot to say about worry. If you have felt the crushing weight of your dread and doubts, you are certainly not alone and by no means out of reach of God’s hand.

Jesus spoke about worry in the sermon on the mount in Matthew 6:31-32, "Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all.”

Jesus says not to worry and then gives us a rock-solid reason to fret less: your heavenly Father knows what you need and if he knows your needs, he will surely take care of you just as he cares for all creation.

Philippians 4:6 also gives us a formula for how to handle worry when it does arise. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.”

The Bible makes it clear that worry will happen, but we get to choose how we’ll respond to it. We can channel the inner turmoil that worry brings and choose to let it motivate us to present our needs to God.

But is it a sin to worry?

The answer is both yes and no. Worry exists on a scale. On the one side of the scale, there’s the fleeting thoughts of “did I forget to take the trash out?” And “how will I survive the morning if we’re out of coffee?” Small worries, small cares – I don’t see any sin here. But on the other side of the scale we see bigger worries that come with deep, intense cycles of thought.

On this side you might find a constant fear that danger is always lurking right around the corner. You could also find a consuming fear of all of the unknowns the future holds or even an overactive imagination that is always dreaming of the ways your relationships may end in abandonment and rejection.

Somewhere along that scale, fear and worry switches from small to sinful. Where exactly does that mark lie? I believe it’s wherever fear displaces God as the center of your heart and mind.

Truthfully, it’s hard for me to even type that sentence because I know that personally, my worries become my focus daily, hourly, even minutely some days. I’ve tried to find a way around calling worry sin, I’ve tried to justify it in every way imaginable. But I can’t. It’s simply true that worry can easily become sinful.

From Is Worrying a Sin by Shelby Turner

I am a Christian and I worry. I worry about the health and safety of my family, my financial well-being, and if I am truly making an impact using my God-given gifts. I also worry about the ongoing global pandemic, systematic injustices, and educational inequities that are prevalent today.

We all worry and have daily anxieties that keep us up at night, consume us, and attempt to steal our peace. However, there is good news today. God is with us when we worry. God wants to reassure and remind us that our worries do not have the final say. As we continually practice surrendering our anxieties to God, we will be able to sleep better at night and be confident that God accompanies us each step of the way.

If you are currently worrying in this season, here are five Psalms of comfort to uplift you:

Psalm 25:16-18
Psalm 34:4
Psalm 121:1-2
Psalm 116:1-2
Psalm 23:4

From 5 Comforting Psalms for When We Worry by Kirstyn Mayden

When there no peace and calm on the inside of us, we are incapable of properly dealing with the chaos on the outside of us. That is, when the chaos from the outside world gets inside our hearts, the results are never good. We lose our ability to function in the way God created us. But those that can slow down the turmoil on the inside will be able to effectively deal with those things that are spinning out of control on the outside.

The New Testament word used for worry and anxiety is merimnaō, which means divided, distracted, as in a divided mind. And having a divided mind creates havoc in our lives:

“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways” (James 1:5-8).

Notice that worry, or double-mindedness, hurts both our ability to stand in faith and our ability to function successfully in life. So one of the most powerful weapons against the daily attacks of the enemy is having a heart filled with the peace of God. Besides, worry just doesn’t work!

“Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?” (Matthew 6:27).

Our antidote to the toxic effects of worry is the finding the peace of God. This peace is supernatural, and protects us when the enemy attacks. It is far superior to any peace the world can offer, and is only found when we let go and let Him lead us in every area of our lives.

Worldly peace is fragile. When everything is calm and going well, then you have the “peace” the world gives. But when all the crazy-makers are breaking loose around you, such worldly peace evaporates.  

The world must have a reason to be at peace; the peace of God, however, passes all understanding – no reason is needed, just revelation! A revelation that says:

I know Who the Great Shepherd is 

I know how much He cares for us

No matter what it looks like around me, He is leading me

I’ve got a feeling everything is going to be alright

I know everything is working out for my good

I’ve got peace… because I know the Prince of Peace!

From God's Antidote to Worry by Frank Santora

Click here to read several verses on worry and anxiety that will allow you to study this further.

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