The Significance of Little Sins in Christian Life
The Significance of Little Sins in Christian Life
The concept of "little sins" is rooted in biblical teachings that emphasize the importance of faithfulness in small matters. Jesus teaches that "he who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" [2]. This principle underscores the idea that small actions or sins are not insignificant in God's eyes.
In the Christian tradition, the notion that all sins, regardless of their perceived magnitude, are significant is supported by various scriptural references. one tradition notes that "the little belonging to the righteous is better than the wealth of many wicked" [5], highlighting the value of righteousness even in small matters. The apostle Paul's reflection on his own sinfulness, calling himself "less than the least of all the saints," demonstrates an awareness of personal sin and the grace received to preach to the Gentiles [4].
The Bible also warns against downplaying or ignoring sin. According to 1 John, "if we say, We have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us" [9]. This emphasizes the importance of acknowledging sin, including what might be considered "little sins." The act of confession is seen as a necessary consequence of "walking in the light" [10].
Different Christian traditions interpret the significance of little sins in various ways. The Eastern Orthodox tradition, as represented by John Chrysostom, emphasizes the severity of God's judgment on sin, regardless of its perceived magnitude, drawing parallels with human justice systems where a small offense can lead to significant punishment [7]. In contrast, some Protestant interpretations focus on the righteousness of Christ and the believer's standing before God, highlighting that even small acts of righteousness are valuable [8].
The biblical anchor for understanding the significance of little sins lies in passages like Luke 7:47, where Jesus indicates that the forgiveness of many sins is correlated with a deep love, and in 1 John 2:12, where forgiveness is tied to the name of Jesus [1, 3]. These passages suggest that the acknowledgment of sin, whether great or small, is fundamental to the Christian life.
The significance of little sins is thus not just about their individual impact but about the character and heart of the individual. As the Psalmist and various commentators note, the issue is not just the act itself but the attitude behind it, with deliberate sins being committed with an "insolent or arrogant attitude" [6].
Sources
- Luke “Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven, for she loved much. But to whom little is forgiven, the same loves little.” -- Luke 7:47”
- Luke “He who is faithful in a very little is faithful also in much. He who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. -- Luke 16:10”
- 1 John “I write to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake. -- 1 John 2:12”
- Ephesians “Ephesians 3:8 (BSB) — Though I am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given me: to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,”
- Psalms “Psalms 37:16 (LEB) — The little belonging to the righteous is better than the wealth of many wicked.”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 19:13: 19:13 An individual who commits deliberate sins does so with an insolent (86:14) or arrogant (119:21, 69) attitude. • The great sin is rebellion (see 32:1).”
- CCEL/NPNF (Eastern Orthodox) “John Chrysostom, Homilies on 1 & 2 Corinthians: matter of a moment. Seest thou not those men, who for a single theft or a single act of adultery, committed in a small moment of time, oftentimes have spent their whole life in prisons, and in mines, struggling with continual hunger and every kind of death? And there was no one to set them at liberty, or to say, “The offence took place in a small moment of time; the punishment too should have its time equivalent to that of the sin.” [3.] But, “They are men,” some one will say, “who do these things; as for God, He is loving unto men.” Now, first o”
- Proverbs (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Proverbs 16:8: Better is a little with righteousness,.... Gotten in a righteous way, held by a righteous claim, used in a righteous manner, attended with a life of righteousness and holiness; and also along with an interest in the righteousness of Christ, which renders acceptable unto God, yields peace and comfort, and entitles to eternal glory and happiness. A truly righteous man may have but little of this world's goods; but his small pittance is better than great revenues without right; obtained in an unjust way; detained from the right owner of them, and used in an unrighteo”
- 1 John (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 John 1:8: Here, I. The apostle, having supposed that even those of this heavenly communion have yet their sin, proceeds here to justify that supposition, and this he does by showing the dreadful consequences of denying it, and that in two particulars: - 1. If we say, We have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us, Jo1 1:8. We must beware of deceiving ourselves in denying or excusing our sins. The more we see them the more we shall esteem and value the remedy. If we deny them, the truth is not in us, either the truth that is contrary to such denial (we lie i”
- 1 John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 John 1:8: The confession of sins is a necessary consequence of "walking in the light" (Jo1 1:7). "If thou shalt confess thyself a sinner, the truth is in thee; for the truth is itself light. Not yet has thy life become perfectly light, as sins are still in thee, but yet thou hast already begun to be illuminated, because there is in thee confession of sins" [AUGUSTINE]. that we have no sin--"HAVE," not "have had," must refer not to the past sinful life while unconverted, but to the present state wherein believers have sin even still. Observe, "sin" is in the sin”