6 "Small" Sins We All Need to Take More Seriously

We have all likely experienced it – the prayer requests that sound like concern for another but are really cover-ups for gossip. These may be shared in church or in the company of friends. Individuals talk about what they have heard about someone else (which most likely is not completely true), and a person’s reputation is slowly damaged. Even though those who are prone to gossip may not think they are hurting anyone or being intentionally malicious, they are still engaging in sin, which will affect them and others.

Scripture warns us against gossip, advising us to stay away from those who enjoy talking about others (Proverbs 20:19). Also, a trustworthy person will not want to reveal what others have entrusted to him or her (Proverbs 11:13). Such speech does not fit who we are as Christians. We are meant to use our words to build others up, not to tear down their reputations through slander (Ephesians 4:29).

If gossip is one of those “little” sins we struggle with, then we need to recognize that it is not harmless or innocent. Talking about others and spreading lies brings no glory to God.

Thankfully, we can fight against this destructive tendency. We need to ensure we are keeping ourselves occupied, not becoming idle which often leads to gossip (see 1 Timothy 5:13). And we need to remember the biblical instruction to love our neighbors (Mark 12:31). If we love someone, we seek his or her good, not harm.

The Spirit can help us to see the severity of gossip, confess our sin, and take steps to resist engaging in slanderous talk.

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Unforgiveness is not always something we work quickly to resolve. Friends and even some family members may not even notice the problem of hatred and bitterness within us. But it is there. It shows up in our passive aggressive comments and our behavior when encountering the person who wronged us.

Jesus’ words ring in our ears, though we try to block out His voice: “If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). We attempt to rationalize the harsh feelings, and in effect try to pass the blame for sinning.

Yet Jesus demonstrated the weightiness of unforgiveness in the parable of the unmerciful servant. The master had forgiven the servant and canceled the great debt of money he owed (Matthew 18:27). Such mercy should have compelled the servant to act mercifully toward a fellow servant. Instead, he demanded what his fellow servant owed and withheld compassion (Matthew 18:28-30). As a result, the master heard about what happened and had the unmerciful servant thrown in prison to pay back what he owed (Matthew 18:34). Christ said that the Father would treat us the same way if we refused to forgive others. Our unforgiving attitude is evidence that we have not truly comprehended the grace of God.

To prevent hatred and bitterness from taking root and spreading inside us, we need to be quick to forgive, even if someone sins against us many times (Matthew 18:21-22). And we will need to keep forgiving; it is not just a one-time event. We are also wise to regularly recall the grace of our Lord since Scripture tells us to forgive as the Lord has forgiven us (Ephesians 4:32). Those who understand the riches of God’s mercy will in turn be merciful.

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Even during the time of the Apostles, the church struggled with division. Issues like circumcision and eating meat sacrificed to idols stirred up controversy. For example, in the church at Galatia, the people were fighting so much that Paul warned the believers: “If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other” (Galatians 5:15).

Scripture speaks against this, grouping dissensions with other acts of the sinful flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). Unity, not division, should be the focus of the church (John 17:20-23). How often, though, is that the case? Congregations divide and break away. Members leave for other churches because of petty arguments. And discussions regarding other denominations too easily focus on differences rather than on what unites us. Jesus prayed for His followers to be united, but we are often too focused on matters that divide.

We might not see this problem as severe as other sins. Yet, if we are participating in division, whether through our speech or actions, then we need to reconsider Jesus’ prayer in John 17 and the early church’s emphasis on unity. There are legitimate situations in which people must step away from a congregation, such as in the case of significant doctrinal issues (e.g., views on Jesus’ divinity, His death and resurrection, or salvation). Other times, though, churches split on secondary, lesser matters that could be remedied by members listening to one another and working together to bring glory to Christ.

Reconciliation begins with a repentant and humble attitude as we acknowledge our part in dissension and pray for unity among our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

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Money is something we all need to provide for necessities. God grants us the ability to work so that we can make enough to have what we need. So, there is nothing inherently evil about money. The problem is when people start loving money and want to accumulate more of it, beyond what they need. Striving after riches only brings trouble, for “the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows” (1 Timothy 6:10).

The rich are not the only ones who have to watch for the sin of greed; the middle-class and poor do as well. Anyone can start developing the wrong mentality that money is the solution to all their problems, and that if only they had more, they could feel secure and happy. But the greedy person is never satisfied (Ecclesiastes 5:10). As a result, the craving for more leads people, regardless of their socioeconomic status, further into sin.

Struggles with greed may not always be as obvious as someone hoarding cash. It can manifest in subtle ways, such as the anxious preoccupation with having enough or the workaholism to build a bigger nest egg. The one who loves and places his trust in wealth (or even the idea of wealth) will ultimately be disappointed because it has a way of disappearing as quickly as it came (Proverbs 23:5).

By trusting in the Lord to provide for our needs and practicing contentment, we can stamp out the small flames of greed before they become full fires (1 Timothy 6:6-8). God knows what we need, and He is faithful. We need to keep our focus on His Kingdom, using what resources we have (whether great or small) to glorify and serve the Lord, not mammon.

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Social media has made it easier than ever before to see the lives of family and friends, as well as people we admire such as celebrities, artists, authors, and influencers. We can see what they eat, the places they are traveling to, what their homes look like, and the different outfits they wear. Although many of us utilize this function of technology to gain inspiration or to keep abreast of news about people we care about, there is the temptation to compare. And hidden within the comparison game, waiting to attack us, is the green-eyed monster.

Jealousy is something all of us will experience at one time or another. However, the seemingly ordinary occurrence of this sin means it can be more dangerous. We can become numb to the Bible’s warnings against jealousy, that it is a serious offense that demonstrates worldliness (1 Corinthians 3:3; James 3:16). Those who are upset that someone else has something they desire are not walking in the Spirit or loving their neighbor. For love desires the good of others and does not envy (1 Corinthians 13:4).

To counter jealousy, we can practice gratitude. God has made us rich in grace through faith in Christ (Ephesians 1:7-8). In Him, we have salvation, an everlasting relationship with the Lord, and the promise of a wonderful future. Giving thanks for all we have in Jesus can help us reframe our perspective.

Also, taking the initiative to pray for the people that we feel jealous of can help us seek God’s view of the situation and remind ourselves that those people have worth as image-bearers. Is there something we can pray for them, such as their salvation, growth in their walk with Christ, support during a health crisis, or just to love them better as the Lord desires? Shifting the focus on thanksgiving and intercession for the other person enables us to fight the temptation to sin.

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Thinking only of oneself is a natural tendency. In our sinfulness, we desire to do what gives us an advantage or which serves our own interests. “Me,” not “we,” is the focus.

Just because it is more natural to consider our own interests, though, does not mean selfishness is right. Our sinful nature has been crucified with Christ, and we have been given a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 5:24). Our Lord willingly gave His life to save us, and we are encouraged to imitate Him by considering the interest of others and being self-sacrificing (Philippians 2:3-4). Selfishness does not align with the identity of being a follower of Jesus.

Thinking only of ourselves will also lead to other sins. We will cling to our resources, unwilling to share them with others (1 John 3:17). And the Apostle Paul grouped love for oneself with other sins, such as the love of money, pride, arrogance, heartlessness, slander, and many others (2 Timothy 3:2-4).

As believers, we are meant to focus on loving the Lord and loving others. This means putting others first and being willing to lay aside our desires (and sometimes even freedoms) to better serve and love someone else (1 Corinthians 10:24). If we need direction in doing this, then we need only look to our Savior. In Him, we find the greatest example of selflessness.

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