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Little Sins

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Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, Cal. · May 13, 1875

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 1, No. 27.

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Little Sins.

By D. Hildreth

The idea has obtained that there are degrees of sin all the way from murder, for instance, down to nothing; that certain actions, though not really proper, are not worthy the notice of God. If some case is mentioned the reply will be, “O, that’s nothing, such little sins are not worth minding.” The careless reader is here requested to pause and point out one place in the Bible that speaks of “little sins”—“sins not worth minding,” or anything like it. When degrees of comparison are used, sin is always great, grievous, &c. David says, “O Lord, pardon mine iniquity for it is great.” Ps. 25:11. The Bible throughout holds up sin in its true deformity. No one ever prayed in the spirit to have their sins pardoned because they were small. It is true that there are degrees of sin, yet no sin is really small. Any act which is a transgression of the law, however small it may appear to men, is sufficient to condemn the transgressor to death, unless he obtain pardon.
For instance, it is supposed to be very innocent to tell a clever falsehood for the sake of playing a trick on another. This is not lying; O, no! it is only sport. It is thought to be quite harmless to joke, tell stories, play all manner of games, and have all the fun and sport possible. It is supposed to be nobody’s business how much the mind is occupied with foolish thoughts. It is even looked upon as commendable to get the best end of a bargain by shrewdness and misrepresentation. There are a thousand such things as these that are looked upon as of no importance. But the just demands of an abused law will stare transgressors in the face by and by. Those who will not take heed to their ways now, will be compelled to reflect and to regret when their wine and their revelling have forever ceased.
Scripture testimony will now be produced, and if this meets the eye of any careless one, let him remember that the following passages of scripture, and others of like import, will stand in array against the sinner at the great Judgment day. Many things that are supposed to be of no importance are particularly mentioned in the Bible.

SINS OF COMMISSION.

Idle words. “But I say unto you that every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Judgment.” Matt. 12:36.
Foolish thoughts. “The thought of foolishness is sin.” Prov. 24:9.
“He that despiseth his neighbor sinneth.” Prov. 14:21.
“An high look, and a proud heart, and the plowing of the wicked is sin.” Prov. 21:4.
“But if ye have respect to persons ye commit sin.” James 2:9.
“As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, so is the man that deceiveth his neighbor and saith, am not I in sport?” Prov. 26:18, 19.
“It is as sport to a fool to do mischief.” Prov. 10:23. See also Ps. 109:7; Prov. 28:9, and many others.
Paul’s conclusion. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Rom. 14:23.

SINS OF OMISSION.

“Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, the seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him naught, and he cry unto the Lord against thee, and it be sin unto thee.” Deut. 15:9.
“Thou shalt not oppress an hired servant that is poor and needy. * At his day thou shalt give him his hire, neither shall the sun go down upon it; for he is poor and setteth his heart upon it; lest he cry against thee unto the Lord, and it be sin unto thee.” Deut. 24:14, 15.
“Curse ye Meroz, said the angel of the Lord, curse ye bitterly the inhabitants thereof, because they came not to the help of the Lord, to the help of the Lord against the mighty.” Judg. 5:23.
“Moreover, as for me, God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” 1 Sam. 12:23.
“Wo unto you, Scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint, and anise, and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith; these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.” Matt. 23:23; Heb. 2:1–3.
James’ conclusion. “Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” Chap. 4:17.
These are only examples. The word abounds with testimony on this subject. Our words, actions, and thoughts will tell either for or against us in the day of accounts. How careful we ought to live in view of the strict account we must all give by and by. Nothing short of a complete consecration of all to God; nothing less than an entire sanctification of the will, affections, and purposes to the will of God will answer his just demands upon us. If the idle words, foolish thoughts, vain actions of a single year should be written out before us, what a huge scroll it would be! What a catalogue of sin and folly! We should not want to look at it the second time. The heart would sicken and the head would faint. But it is nevertheless the fact that a faithful record of these things is kept in the archives of Heaven, and nothing will blot it out but the blood of Christ in answer to our prayers and confessions. There is no safety outside the provisions of the gospel, therefore turn ye to the Lord and live.
D. HILDRETH.