While I have heard that expression nearly all my life, I simply cannot find that sentiment in the Bible.  It is true that any and all sin is sin against God.  Joseph, when tempted by Potiphar’s wife said to her in Genesis 39:8-9, “But he refused, and said unto his master’s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and SIN AGAINST GOD?”  It is also true that any sin we commit will incur the wrath of God as we read in Ezekiel 18:20, “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.”  Yet scripture identifies certain sins that are particularly heinous.

  • Luke 17:1-2, “Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come! It were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he cast into the sea, than that he should offend one of these little ones.”
  • Mark 14:21, “The Son of man indeed goeth, as it is written of him: but woe to that man by whom the Son of man is betrayed! good were it for that man if he had never been born.”
  • Proverbs 6:32, “But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.” 
  • John 19:10-11, “Then saith Pilate unto him, Speakest thou not unto me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and have power to release thee? Jesus answered, Thou couldest have no power at all against me, except it were given thee from above: therefore he that delivered me unto thee hath the greater sin.”

Scripture teaches us that there will be different degrees of punishment for those who will spend eternity in Hell.  We have the words of the Lord Jesus in Luke 12:47-48 where He states, “And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with MANY STRIPES. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with FEW STRIPES. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.”  ALL those who reject the Lord Jesus Christ as their savior deserve and will receive eternal punishment from God.  We see here that based on knowledge and actions, the wrath of God on each one will differ according to His complete and perfect judgment.

So, I think we can see that not all sin is equal in the eyes of God.  The Lord knows our thoughts, our actions, our beliefs, our rebellion, etc.  Indeed, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13). 

Yet, regardless of BIG sins or SMALL sins, we can be certain that through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, there is forgiveness for ALL sins.  When we put our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we learn that “…the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.” (1 John 1:7).  We read in 1 Peter 1:18-19, “Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.”  The Lord Jesus gave His life so that though His death you might have the forgiveness of all your sins.  “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” (Acts 16:31)  (CC)  (619.6)