Today I am sharing on “THE DIFFERENT KINDS OF SINS!” What are the different kinds of sins? In summary, we have: 1) Secret sins, 2) Besetting sins, 3) Presumptuous sins, and 4) Willful sins.
Sometimes we commit sin that we are not aware of. But even though we were not aware of them, we are still considered guilty.
And the Lord spake unto Moses, saying, “…if a soul sin, and commit any of these things which are forbidden to be done by the commandments of the Lord; though he wist it not, yet is he guilty, and shall bear his iniquity” (Lev. 5:17).
When we consider the term “sin,” we often think of the 12 commandments or other obvious sins throughout the Bible.
But there are sins that aren’t always talked about in church or throughout our day-to-day Bible plans? These secret sins are just as important to avoid!
1. Worry/fear: Worrisome and anxious thoughts are easy to possess. And although these sometimes creep in out of our control, the Bible talks about it being a hidden sin.
“Be careful for nothing; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. 7And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Phil. 4:6-7).
Jesus said, “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me” (Jn. 14:1).
2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”
When we worry, we allow Satan to have a foothold in our lives.
It’s like we’re telling God we don’t trust what He’s doing. Now I’m sure He knows there are times when we can’t control our worrying, but letting it drive our lives is when it becomes displeasing to God. Trust Him, and let go and let God!
What should you do about your worries and fears? a) Cast your anxiety on Jesus because He cares for you (1 Pet. 5:6-8, NLT).
b) Focus your mind on the promises of God (Isa. 26:3).
c) Dwell (think) on these things (Phil. 4:8).
2. Pride: What is pride? Pride is taking credit for what God has done. Pride is a feeling of satisfaction which you have because you or people close to you have done something good or possess something good.
It is arrogance to think that we can do anything apart from God. Anything you can accomplish on your own without God’s help is self-righteousness. And self-righteousness is like filthy rags before God.
James 4:6 says, “…‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’”
This is true: God hates pride (Prov. 8:13). It is sin to have a proud heart (Prov. 21:4). Pride is not of God, it is of the world (I Jn. 2:15-17). Pride resides in the hearts of men and defiles them (Mk. 7:14-23). God detests all the proud of heart and will punish them (Prov. 16:5). We are all susceptible to pride, even as the 12 disciples were (Lk. 22:20-30, 9: 46-48; Mk. 9:33-34; Jn. 13:1-17). Instead of pride, we should model our attitude and heart after Jesus Christ, who humbled Himself, was obedient to the Father, and was exalted as a result (Phil. 2:5-11).
3. Jealousy: Jealousy is feeling bitter and unhappy because of another person’s advantages or possessions. You may think that you’re not a jealous person, but you may have some elements of jealousy in you without realizing it!
For instance: When was the last time you’ve thought “I wish I had her shape, her outfit, etc.”? God loves it when we’re content with what we have, not longing for the possessions of others.
Proverbs 14:30 says, “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones” (Prov. 14:30).
It’s exhausting to constantly desire the things of others. Focus on loving who you are and the things you are blessed with. Thank God for everything He’s given to you instead of wanting the things He’s given to others!
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5).
Why? “…godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Tim. 6:6).
2. Secret sins are also those sins concealed from the eyes of others. “For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret” (Eph. 5:12).
In John 3:20-21 Jesus said, “For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.”
Secret sins will not remain secret. “… and be sure your sin will find you out” (Num. 32:23).
The sin you are secretly committing which you do not want people to see is a secret sin. Anything you do secretly which you do not want people to see or hear, that you know it will not honor you if people know, that is secret sin.
It may be an habit like self-service, fornication, masturbation, or other sexual immoralities; it may be other sins which you are committing and keeping secret.
It may also be a lifestyle which you keep secret from people, like drinking, smoking, lying, anger, jealousy, malice, etc.
If you keep any secret sin of any form, such sin will be following you till the day of judgment, it will hinder you from making the rapture, and from entering heaven (1 Tim. 5:24).
But if you open up now before God and men, then that sin will go ahead of you to judgment, it will be condemned by God's mercy and you will be justified.
But as long you keep it secret because of the fear of what people will say or how they will respond, the sin continues to quietly follow you to put you to eternal shame on the judgment day.
Examples of people who have tried to keep their sins secret abound in the Scriptures:
1. Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-11).
2. Achan (Josh. 7:10-26).
c. Secret sins, though unknown to man, are always known to God.
In Matthew 6:4 Jesus said, “That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret Himself shall reward thee openly.”
2) Our thoughts and our actions cannot be hid from God (Jer. 23:23-24).
d. Secret sins will be brought to light at the Judgment. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 says, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil.”
God shall judge the secrets of men. “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel” (Rom. 2:16).
To be continued!! Watch out for the next edition of Good News from the Pulpit.
- Your friend, I. I. Madubunyi (Senior Pastor, HOG).
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