Is it Okay to Condemn Sinners?

[Richard Aberdeen]

Jesus says, "Judge not, that you be not judged" Matthew 7:1. As noted, we also find this in Romans, where Paul writes, "Therefore you are inexcusable, O one, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things" Romans 2:1.

"Judge" in this sense, does not apply to a legal judge. Nor does it mean that we shouldn't try to discern what is good for us from what is not in our best interest, nor does it mean that we can't strongly disagree with someone else concerning their religious, political, social or other views.

What "judge" does mean in this sense, is that we should not condemn another human being for any reason, either for their religious, political, social or other views, nor for their nationality, ethnicity, perceived sexual orientation, skin coloration, social or economic status, perceived lack of intelligence, perceived lack of social grace, stature, perceived lack of strength, beauty, coordination or, for any other reason. And especially, we should not condemn someone for being less moral than we vainly imagine we are, as if we are any better.

According to Paul in Romans, modern Christians who in any way condemn someone else as being less sexually moral as they vainly imagine themselves as being, are openly announcing to the world that they in fact, are the same Romans 2:1. According to Paul, it is not true that heterosexuals are any better than homosexuals, bisexuals, asexuals, transgender people or anyone else. Rather, it is true that all human beings possess a sexuality askew from what is right and correct before our father in heaven; for we all have sinned and fall "short" of moral, sexual and other perfection.

Let no man, woman or child deceive you concerning this, for we all like sheep have gone astray of what is morally and otherwise, correct in the eyes of God. If you do not agree that people are like sheep gone astray, check out this short video: Are People Really Sheep?. God's law is singular throughout the New Testament and is not correctly viewed as "laws" in the plural. If we have broken any tiny part of God's law, we have broken God's law Romans 3:10-19.

In Search of the Real Jesus
Link Deleted

 

[Christ4Ever]

Dear @Richard Aberdeen
Care to extrapolate what it is meant by judge in its varied biblical usages?
Because from what I see its usage often involves governing, decision-making, right/wrong, deliverance, vindication, discernment, as only a few, with as we know; God as the ultimate judge.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

 

[Twistie]

Dear @Richard Aberdeen
Care to extrapolate what it is meant by judge in its varied biblical usages?
Because from what I see its usage often involves governing, decision-making, right/wrong, deliverance, vindication, discernment, as only a few, with as we know; God as the ultimate judge.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

He is one wicked n twisted person..he worse then that brad..

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

 

[KingJ]

According to Paul in Romans, modern Christians who in any way condemn someone else as being less sexually moral as they vainly imagine themselves as being, are openly announcing to the world that they in fact, are the same Romans 2:1. According to Paul, it is not true that heterosexuals are any better than homosexuals, bisexuals, asexuals, transgender people or anyone else. Rather, it is true that all human beings possess a sexuality askew from what is right and correct before our father in heaven; for we all have sinned and fall "short" of moral, sexual and other perfection.

I sensed this topic was going to make its way to excusing the alphabet people. Their defenders are the reason for many ''judging' threads on Christian forums.

I have bad news for you though.

1. Paul saw it fit to publicly rebuke and remove a person guilty of incest 1 Cor 5:1.
2. Jesus said you can only divorce if there is actual adultery Matt 5:32, as opposed to merely sinful thoughts Matt 5:28.

So, Jesus and Paul disagree with you. There are indeed degrees of sexual sin and differing consequences.

Now, the act of homosexuality in the OT received capital punishment, just like adultery. And we serve a God that does not change his mind Num 23:19.

Blurring the lines of God's hatred of the 'alphabet sinner' is false teaching and being a false teacher in the OT meant that you would together with the homosexuals and adulterers receive a graphic and violent death by stoning.

We should instead be preaching the truth. The truth is to not blur God's hatred of sin and ability to discern its degrees. But to teach that all sinners must repent and that mortal sinners are living on a knifes edge. God will truly give us all strength and understanding to overcome our sins. All He wants is for our hearts to be sincere and willing to try do what is right. To truly repent of our sins.

Thread 'Are Christians to judge others?'

Oct 20, 2025

Many people reference Jesus' words “Judge not, that you be not judged” (Matt. 7:1) to mean that Christians should never make moral or spiritual evaluations. However, the broader teaching of Scripture shows that believers are not only permitted to judge certain matters - they're commanded to do so, but with the right heart and standard.

1. Jesus Commands Righteous Judgment

John 7:24 "Do not judge by appearances, but judge with right judgment."

2. Discernment Is Required of Believers

1 Corinthians 2:15 "The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be...

• KingJ
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Bible Study

• 

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

Dear @Richard Aberdeen
Care to extrapolate what it is meant by judge in its varied biblical usages?
Because from what I see its usage often involves governing, decision-making, right/wrong, deliverance, vindication, discernment, as only a few, with as we know; God as the ultimate judge.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

In Romans 2:1, the verse I quoted, it means not to condemn someone else, in particular for being less moral than yourself. Jesus likewise says, "judge not that you be not judged," meaning to not condemn someone else, in particular for being less moral than yourself.

 

[Twistie]

Theres something real off about this dude..
Be careful with that evil twisted spirit yall engage with..

 

[Christ4Ever]

In Romans 2:1, the verse I quoted, it means not to condemn someone else, in particular for being less moral than yourself. Jesus likewise says, "judge not that you be not judged," meaning to not condemn someone else, in particular for being less moral than yourself.

Ah, good, so a person does not/should not condemn or judge a person, in light of one's own sinfulness. However, it still does not take away from the wrongness of those very same acts in question, correct? (Romans 2:2)

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

 

[Br. Bear]

Greetings,

for being less moral

Can you please help us understand what this means?


Bless you ....><>

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

Ah, good, so a person does not/should not condemn or judge a person, in light of one's own sinfulness. However, it still does not take away from the wrongness of those very same acts in question, correct? (Romans 2:2)

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

We are never to condemn someone else for being a sinner, because we ourselves are also sinners. Many Christians have a bad habit of condemning other people, which both Jesus and the NT are clearly against doing. Within the four narratives of Jesus, there is not a single instance of Jesus condemning anyone, other than religious hypocrites, whom he roundly and soundly condemned, right to their face and even while eating at one's home.

"Judge not that you be not judged." -- Jesus

"For God did not send his son into the world so that he might judge the people, but that the people through him, might be saved." --John 3:17, corrected to the Greek.

"Therefore, you are inexcusable, O one, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." --Romans 2:1, the conclusion of Romans one that should be at the end of chapter one.

Consider that Jesus did not condemn either the woman found in the act of adultery or the woman at the well who had 5 husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband.

Many Christians are fond of quoting John 3:16, while ignoring John 3:17, which is part of the same overall statement by Jesus.

The word "judge" in these instances above appears to be carried over from 16th Century English, meaning "condemn" in modern English. It does not refer to discerning between what is evil and what is good. Discerning is not the same as condemning someone else.

 

[Christ4Ever]

We are never to condemn someone else for being a sinner, because we ourselves are also sinners. Many Christians have a bad habit of condemning other people, which both Jesus and the NT are clearly against doing. Within the four narratives of Jesus, there is not a single instance of Jesus condemning anyone, other than religious hypocrites, whom he roundly and soundly condemned, right to their face and even while eating at one's home.

"Judge not that you be not judged." -- Jesus

"For God did not send his son into the world so that he might judge the people, but that the people through him, might be saved." --John 3:17, corrected to the Greek.

"Therefore, you are inexcusable, O one, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things." --Romans 2:1, the conclusion of Romans one that should be at the end of chapter one.

Consider that Jesus did not condemn either the woman found in the act of adultery or the woman at the well who had 5 husbands and was living with a man who was not her husband.

Many Christians are fond of quoting John 3:16, while ignoring John 3:17, which is part of the same overall statement by Jesus.

The word "judge" in these instances above appears to be carried over from 16th Century English, meaning "condemn" in modern English. It does not refer to discerning between what is evil and what is good. Discerning is not the same as condemning someone else.

I didn't ask you to condemn anyone Richard, for in truth we condemn ourselves. I mean besides what the devil is doing right now. It was a rather simple request, which you have avoided to not have to answer, for you know the truth! Doesn't speak well for you, because you even quoted Jesus but left out the entirety of what he said to the adulterous woman! Go, and sin no more! That in itself told you how you should answer what I asked of you. Which was the wrongness of the acts! You couldn't bring yourself to do that even though you were the one who brought forward the acts in the first place!

When you can’t bring yourself to answer that directly, yet claim to be guiding others to find the real Jesus? I don’t think so. It sounds more like the version of Jesus that tells you what you want to hear.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

 

[Twistie]

Speaking Truth is not condeming it hurts their feelings they fail to realize its the Holy One convicting them but they grown deaf to the Lords Word
Blessed is he who is not offended in me..

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

I didn't ask you to condemn anyone Richard, for in truth we condemn ourselves. I mean besides what the devil is doing right now. It was a rather simple request, which you have avoided to not have to answer, for you know the truth! Doesn't speak well for you, because you even quoted Jesus but left out the entirety of what he said to the adulterous woman! Go, and sin no more! That in itself told you how you should answer what I asked of you. Which was the wrongness of the acts! You couldn't bring yourself to do that even though you were the one who brought forward the acts in the first place!

When you can’t bring yourself to answer that directly, yet claim to be guiding others to find the real Jesus? I don’t think so. It sounds more like the version of Jesus that tells you what you want to hear.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

I think I did answer. I said this, The word "judge" in these instances above appears to be carried over from 16th Century English, meaning "condemn" in modern English. It does not refer to discerning between what is evil and what is good. Discerning is not the same as condemning someone else.

Jesus didn't tell the woman at the well to go and sin no more. Jesus treats each person individually. I know I can't be good all of the time, neither could the woman found in adultery or the woman at the well and, neither could Paul, who says "with the flesh I serve the law of sin" and, neither can you. Such is the lot of sinners.

 

[KingJ]

Jesus treats each person individually.

Incorrect. God is impartial Rom 2:11.

I know I can't be good all of the time,

To God, genuine love is hating what is evil and clinging to what is good Rom 12:9.

neither could the woman found in adultery or the woman at the well and, neither could Paul, who says "with the flesh I serve the law of sin" and, neither can you. Such is the lot of sinners.

Nobody on this planet with a working brain will say that an unrepentant mortal sinner hates what is evil.

When Paul said Rom 7:15 he was not referring to mortal sins. He was implying venial sins.

Would God have based 2/3 of the NT on Paul's teaching if in Rom 7:15 he was admitting to the fact that he could not stop arranging the murder of Christians, raping, murdering and being a pedophile? Yes or No answer please.

What I truly HATE from people like you and there are many, even on this site, is that by blurring the lines between degrees of sin you make many in mortal sin think God is ok with their sin.

If you are committing a sin that in the OT God warranted a violent and graphic death by stoning as a fitting punishment for, you need to be terrified of this in the NT. You are close to your sin being full measure, heart truly hardened and being beyond all hope. Close to not having any more days to live, to being handed over to the devil, to eternal hell

You are being a false teacher if you continue blurring the lines on degrees of sin and false teachers also received a graphic and violent death by stoning in the OT. You sure you want to keep pushing this heresy?

------------------

Like many Christians, your motivation is as a result of the LGBTQ+++ people sin not appearing to be a 'typical' mortal sin. They are not hurting anyone. How can we compare this to mortal sins like rape, murder etc. Yes, God ordained a graphic and violent death by stoning for them in the OT Lev 20:13, but in the NT this surely can't be right.....

It is only true that sexual sin can be blurry to us. Purely as nobody appears to be getting hurt by it. But, as a Christian we can see clearly why this sin upsets God such that he ordain capital punishment for it. It is, as scripture says, going against the natural purpose for which you were created Rom 1:26-27. You are literally pulling the middle finger to your Creator.

 

[Christ4Ever]

I think I did answer. I said this, The word "judge" in these instances above appears to be carried over from 16th Century English, meaning "condemn" in modern English. It does not refer to discerning between what is evil and what is good. Discerning is not the same as condemning someone else.

Jesus didn't tell the woman at the well to go and sin no more. Jesus treats each person individually. I know I can't be good all of the time, neither could the woman found in adultery or the woman at the well and, neither could Paul, who says "with the flesh I serve the law of sin" and, neither can you. Such is the lot of sinners.

Au contraire mon ami. No, you didn't answer my question. Why do I say that? Because Judging and what is sin is the purview of God and are not the same. If you could not state what Scripture clearly is provided for guidance in that realm of understanding, then all you are doing is disregarding what He has provided for you to know and act upon and have decided to go your own way.

Jesus clearly differentiated between judgment, and sin that this adulterous woman had involved herself in who had been brought before Him for adultery. (see John 8:10-11)

[Jhn 8:10-11 KJV] 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? 11 She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more.

You are correct that Jesus did not tell the woman at the well to go and sin no more, but He did tell that to the adulterous woman brought before Him by others, in the Scripture above. Which you have conveniently avoided mentioning in your reply! Why because what I stated would have placed you in the position to acknowledge what God/Jesus saw what this woman had done as being sinful, by quite literally saying so. She was an example of the sinful behavior of man, which you acknowledged as happening, but for whatever reason could not accept as being different from judging. Though you mention sinful acts in your original post, you could not bring yourself to answer that yes, they are wrong/sins and that would have been enough.

Your inability to do so raises another question: why wouldn’t you acknowledge what seems obvious about the sins you mentioned in your original post? Calling them sins isn’t condemning anyone, since neither you nor I have that authority—that belongs to God, as does the determination of what is considered sin.

I await your reply, with much interest.

With the Love of Christ Jesus.
Moderator
Nick
\o/

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

Incorrect. God is impartial Rom 2:11.



To God, genuine love is hating what is evil and clinging to what is good Rom 12:9.



Nobody on this planet with a working brain will say that an unrepentant mortal sinner hates what is evil.

When Paul said Rom 7:15 he was not referring to mortal sins. He was implying venial sins.

Would God have based 2/3 of the NT on Paul's teaching if in Rom 7:15 he was admitting to the fact that he could not stop arranging the murder of Christians, raping, murdering and being a pedophile? Yes or No answer please.

What I truly HATE from people like you and there are many, even on this site, is that by blurring the lines between degrees of sin you make many in mortal sin think God is ok with their sin.

If you are committing a sin that in the OT God warranted a violent and graphic death by stoning as a fitting punishment for, you need to be terrified of this in the NT. You are close to your sin being full measure, heart truly hardened and being beyond all hope. Close to not having any more days to live, to being handed over to the devil, to eternal hell

You are being a false teacher if you continue blurring the lines on degrees of sin and false teachers also received a graphic and violent death by stoning in the OT. You sure you want to keep pushing this heresy?

------------------

Like many Christians, your motivation is as a result of the LGBTQ+++ people sin not appearing to be a 'typical' mortal sin. They are not hurting anyone. How can we compare this to mortal sins like rape, murder etc. Yes, God ordained a graphic and violent death by stoning for them in the OT Lev 20:13, but in the NT this surely can't be right.....

It is only true that sexual sin can be blurry to us. Purely as nobody appears to be getting hurt by it. But, as a Christian we can see clearly why this sin upsets God such that he ordain capital punishment for it. It is, as scripture says, going against the natural purpose for which you were created Rom 1:26-27. You are literally pulling the middle finger to your Creator.

To God, sin is sin. Jesus told his followers they were no better than sinners who had profaned themselves by drinking blood. God's law is singular. If we have broken one tiny part of God's law, we are guilty of breaking God's law. The clear message from Paul is that if we place ourselves under the law or religious rules, regulations and traditions, we "have fallen from grace."

I feel sorry for you, because you think you are better than Paul, who says "with the flesh, I serve the law of sin." No one can keep God's law, which is why Jesus died and why he fulfilled the law for us here on earth. In Jesus, we "are not under the law, but under grace." Again in Galatians, those who are led by the spirt "are not under the law."

“...how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." -- Galatians 4:8-11

"Standfast therefore, in the freedom of which Messiah has made us free and, be not entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"You have become estranged from Messiah, you who try to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." -- Galatians 5:4

"But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law." -- Galatians 5:18

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -- Romans 6:14

". . .having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." -- Colossians 2:14

"Therefore, if you died with Messiah from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?" -- Colossians 2:21-22

“.. .but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.--II Corinthians 3:4-6

You should be careful who you call a "false" teacher.

 

[KingJ]

To God, sin is sin. Jesus told his followers they were no better than sinners who had profaned themselves by drinking blood. God's law is singular. If we have broken one tiny part of God's law, we are guilty of breaking God's law. The clear message from Paul is that if we place ourselves under the law or religious rules, regulations and traditions, we "have fallen from grace."

I feel sorry for you, because you think you are better than Paul, who says "with the flesh, I serve the law of sin." No one can keep God's law, which is why Jesus died and why he fulfilled the law for us here on earth. In Jesus, we "are not under the law, but under grace." Again in Galatians, those who are led by the spirt "are not under the law."

“...how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? You observe days and months and seasons and years. I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain." -- Galatians 4:8-11

"Standfast therefore, in the freedom of which Messiah has made us free and, be not entangled with a yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1

"You have become estranged from Messiah, you who try to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace." -- Galatians 5:4

"But if you are led by the spirit, you are not under the law." -- Galatians 5:18

"For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace." -- Romans 6:14

". . .having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And he has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross." -- Colossians 2:14

"Therefore, if you died with Messiah from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—'Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,' which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men?" -- Colossians 2:21-22

“.. .but our sufficiency is from God, who also made us sufficient as ministers of the new covenant, not of the letter but of the spirit; for the letter kills, but the spirit gives life.--II Corinthians 3:4-6

You should be careful who you call a "false" teacher.

You have not dealt with scriptures I gave you and have now cherry picked others. First deal with those I presented and the arguments I raised and then you can go ahead and make your additional points, that is how discussion and debate work. I mean for arguments sake, can it get simpler than me asking you for a simple Yes or No answer to a question? why can't you answer that?

I will repost it for you "Would God have based 2/3 of the NT on Paul's teaching if in Rom 7:15 he was admitting to the fact that he could not stop arranging the murder of Christians, raping, murdering and being a pedophile? Yes or No answer please."

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

You have not dealt with scriptures I gave you and have now cherry picked others. First deal with those I presented and the arguments I raised and then you can go ahead and make your additional points, that is how discussion and debate work. I mean for arguments sake, can it get simpler than me asking you for a simple Yes or No answer to a question? why can't you answer that?

I will repost it for you "Would God have based 2/3 of the NT on Paul's teaching if in Rom 7:15 he was admitting to the fact that he could not stop arranging the murder of Christians, raping, murdering and being a pedophile? Yes or No answer please."

I apologize, I didn't see this question. Of course not, but Paul admitted he continued to sin, as do I, as does every other sinner. I don't rape or kill either, but that doesn't mean I don't sin. Most sinners don't rape or kill.

 

[KingJ]

I apologize, I didn't see this question. Of course not, but Paul admitted he continued to sin, as do I, as does every other sinner. I don't rape or kill either, but that doesn't mean I don't sin. Most sinners don't rape or kill.

Thanks for answering. Now you just need to understand that two separate points are being made.

Point 1 = Sin is sin.
Point 2 = There are degrees of sin.

Both are true at the same time. To teach only one is to teach a half truth. False teaching. Which if done deliberately is itself a mortal sin.

Now in my experience the most common culprits prompting the need to clarify point 2 are the LGBTQ++ activists.

It is impossible to have the Holy Spirit and be a Christian if you continue in mortal sin. But it is possible to have the Holy Spirit and be a Christian if you make continual 'mistakes' of venial sin.

When you grasp that fact, you realize rather clearly that you must not ever blur the lines between mortal and venial sin. Mortal sinners are living on a knifes edge with God. We see this with Sodom ''their sins were grievous'' Gen 18:20, we see this with Nineveh and the flood.

 

[Richard Aberdeen]

Thanks for answering. Now you just need to understand that two separate points are being made.

Point 1 = Sin is sin.
Point 2 = There are degrees of sin.

Both are true at the same time. To teach only one is to teach a half truth. False teaching. Which if done deliberately is itself a mortal sin.

Now in my experience the most common culprits prompting the need to clarify point 2 are the LGBTQ++ activists.

It is impossible to have the Holy Spirit and be a Christian if you continue in mortal sin. But it is possible to have the Holy Spirit and be a Christian if you make continual 'mistakes' of venial sin.

When you grasp that fact, you realize rather clearly that you must not ever blur the lines between mortal and venial sin. Mortal sinners are living on a knifes edge with God. We see this with Sodom ''their sins were grievous'' Gen 18:20, we see this with Nineveh and the flood.

There are not degrees of sinners. We are all sinners, born into sin with the capacity to murder, rape, steal, etc. Anyone who has studied human sexuality and human behavior in depth knows that modern science agrees with the Bible, that human beings have what science calls a "dark core personality" mostly buried in our subconscious being. This "dark core personality", according to science, is deceitful as to our true intentions, meaning what we think in our conscious awareness differs from our inward motivations.

The Bible says "the heart is deceitful and above all, desperately wicked," using different language to describe the same reality. When science and the Bible agree, it is utterly foolish to argue otherwise.

This is why Jesus taught his followers they were no better than any other sinner, even those who had profaned themselves by drinking blood, considered especially evil by devout Jews.

You are no better than the most avowed homosexual or transvestite and, neither am I. If you want to argue against both Jeremiah and modern behavioral science evidence, that is your problem, not mine.

When the Bible says, "the heart is deceitful and above all, desperately wicked," this means you as much as anyone else.

Dark Personality -- where science agrees with Jeremiah

Psychologists define the 'dark core of personality'

Egoism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness are all traits that stand for the malevolent dark sides of human personality. Results from a recent project show, these traits share a common 'dark core.' So, if you have one of these tendencies, you are also likely to have...

www.sciencedaily.com

 

[KingJ]

There are not degrees of sinners. We are all sinners, born into sin with the capacity to murder, rape, steal, etc. Anyone who has studied human sexuality and human behavior in depth knows that modern science agrees with the Bible, that human beings have what science calls a "dark core personality" mostly buried in our subconscious being. This "dark core personality", according to science, is deceitful as to our true intentions, meaning what we think in our conscious awareness differs from our inward motivations.

The Bible says "the heart is deceitful and above all, desperately wicked," using different language to describe the same reality. When science and the Bible agree, it is utterly foolish to argue otherwise.

This is why Jesus taught his followers they were no better than any other sinner, even those who had profaned themselves by drinking blood, considered especially evil by devout Jews.

You are no better than the most avowed homosexual or transvestite and, neither am I. If you want to argue against both Jeremiah and modern behavioral science evidence, that is your problem, not mine.

When the Bible says, "the heart is deceitful and above all, desperately wicked," this means you as much as anyone else.

Dark Personality -- where science agrees with Jeremiah

Psychologists define the 'dark core of personality'

Egoism, Machiavellianism, narcissism, psychopathy, sadism, spitefulness are all traits that stand for the malevolent dark sides of human personality. Results from a recent project show, these traits share a common 'dark core.' So, if you have one of these tendencies, you are also likely to have...

www.sciencedaily.com

You're making this discussion difficult. You keep ignoring the arguments I've made. A discussion works by taking the other person's points, addressing them, and then presenting your own. Instead, you simply jump back to your tunnel vision theology of 'sin is sin, full stop'.

You answered "No" to my question that Paul would not have been used by God to write two-thirds of the New Testament if, after his conversion, he had continued as a rapist, murderer, or other unrepentant grievous sinner.

Yet, having conceded that point, you immediately put it aside and return to repeating, "sin is sin,".

I've never denied that all people are sinners. I've agreed with that from the beginning. What I keep saying and what you continue to avoid, is that Scripture also teaches there are degrees of sin, degrees of judgment, and degrees of consequence.

When we blur those distinctions, we risk giving false comfort to people living in serious, unrepentant sin. Instead of calling them to urgently repent, we encourage them to think, "Well, everyone sins, so my situation is no different.".

We are told to judge ourselves 1 Cor 11:31 and work out our salvation in fear and trembling Phil 2:12. When we do this, on our knees before God, we ask ourselves, ''ok, so the sin I committed today, what does it tell God about my love for Him? Today, did I make mistakes of sin that upset God at the level that He has thoughts of sending me to a very public, graphic and violent death by stoning? Or did I steal candy from the candy store?''

You stumble weak believers into not properly examining themselves by blurring the lines on degrees of sin.

It's like you did not grasp the relevance of your answer to my Yes or No question. Absolutely insanity. ''Yes KingJ, God would not have used Paul if after conversion he was a rapist. Oh and by the way sin is sin, if Paul rapes or steals candy from the candy store, its the same thing..........cough cough cough......''

Sin is sin (true) and sin has degrees (true). You should not teach one without the other.

-------------------

Here are ten clear instance where degrees of sin are raised. Meditate on these and their relevance to our self judgement 1 Cor 11:31.

1. Jesus explicitly speaks of a "greater sin."
   • John 19:11
   • "He who delivered Me unto thee hath the greater sin."
   • Argument: If one sin is "greater," then not all sins are equal in severity.
2. Jesus speaks of "weightier matters" of God's law.
   • Matthew 23:23
   • "...the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith..."
   • Argument: Jesus Himself teaches that some commandments carry greater moral weight.
3. Different punishments at the Judgment.
   • Luke 12:47-48
   • "That servant... shall be beaten with many stripes... he that knew not... shall be beaten with few stripes."
   • Argument: Different punishment requires different degrees of guilt.
4. Paul orders church discipline for incest.
   • 1 Corinthians 5:1-5
   • Paul does not merely say, "We're all sinners."
   • He commands the church to remove the man and deliver him to Satan.
   • Argument: If all ongoing sins were treated identically, Paul would not single out this case for such severe discipline.
5. Some sins lead to death.
   • 1 John 5:16-17
   • "There is a sin unto death... All unrighteousness is sin: and there is a sin not unto death."
   • Argument: John explicitly distinguishes between sins.
6. Teachers receive stricter judgment.
   • James 3:1
   • "...knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation."
   • Argument: Greater judgment implies greater accountability.
7. The Old Testament prescribed different penalties for different sins.
   • Murder = death.
   • Adultery = death.
   • Homosexual acts = death (Leviticus 20:13).
   • Theft = restitution.
   • False witness = varying penalties.
   • Argument: God Himself established differing punishments because He distinguishes between offences.
8. God repeatedly calls certain sins "greater abominations."
   • Ezekiel 8:6, 13, 15
   • God tells Ezekiel:
     • "You shall see greater abominations."
     • "...yet again thou shalt see greater abominations."
   • Argument: God literally ranks sins by severity.
9. Sodom's sin was described as "very grievous."
   • Genesis 18:20
   • "Because their sin is very grievous."
   • Argument: Scripture doesn't merely say they sinned; it says their sin reached an exceptional level.
10. Some sins exclude people from inheriting the Kingdom if persisted in.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
    • Galatians 5:19-21
    • Paul lists specific lifestyles and warns:
      • "...they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God."
    • Argument: Paul does not merely say "everyone sins." He specifically warns against persistent, unrepentant sins that place salvation in jeopardy.