the greater sin in God's eyes

[dgolvach]

A man(married Episciple Priest) stuggles with a wondering eye sin. His eye wonders over to another man's wife. He puts a move on her and she rejects his offer and tells her husband. The husband is ready to strangle this guy. The wondering eye priest realizes his bad deed and go's to the Husband and wife and askes for forgiveness and vows to knock off the funny business. The husband dose not forgive. He kicks the priest's teeth in.

I am aware that any sin is bad but I would like to get some opinions on which is actually the worst sin.

a.) eye wondering priest who moves on another man's wife?

b.) priest teeth kicking mad husband who does not forgive?

Dan

[Guest eponine]

First, I will say neither. I don't think you can say a sin is worse to God than another sin. They all make us sinners who deserve hell. However, sin has different consequenses, so we tend to think some are worse than others. Sin also has different motives each time. So, in this case, both sins are equally wrong. But the men did have different motives. The priest (and his occupation does not matter) lusted, and the husband got angry at someone else's sin. They are both doing wrong, but if you had to rank one above the other, I would say that the husband had some reason to be angry while the priest was tempted by his own lusts and gave in.

[Iryssa]

Geesh...I would say they're both equally bad. Just thinking about those situations makes me want to kick ALL their teeth in! (Patience Iryssa, patience! Deep breaths...*calms herself*) Sorry...Scottish blood coming out

In all seriousness, though, I really can't decide. I mean, they both had the opportunity to stop the hate-cycle; the priest from the beginning, and the guy who kicked his teeth in. I do admit that I feel a little more empathy for the teeth-kicker, though...

[uvn477]

I agree they are equally bad but the priest did admit fault and asked forgiveness. I would be upset if someone made a move on my wife but if he actually came up to me and asked forgiveness I would pardon him as I'm sure Jesus would do. I would never kick his teeth in if he came to me asking to be forgiven. Maybe I would if the guy didn't think much of it and made a move on another girl but thats besides the point.

[ayin jade]

The preachers sin caused the other guy to stumble. As a preacher he is also held to a higher standard. Both sins are bad. Im not going to try and quantify them. It is enough to know they are bad.

[dgolvach]

Perhaps it would have been a sin if the Husband did not kick the preacher's teeth in?

Dan

[Trust & Obey]

It sounds like the "Priest" has a bigger problem than just a wandering eye. I think all men's eyes can wander at times, and that is why we must take every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.

This "Priest" did more than just "let his eyes wander." He actually made a move on this woman.

I would say that unforgiveness would be the greater sin, but only God knows that. We know that all sin is bad.... but, nobody here on earth (that I know of) has a scale of what falls in where.

But, based upon the finished work of Christ on the cross and the parable of Matthew 18:21-35... I would say that it would be the unforgiveness.

A wandering eye is just something that "happens" at times. Sometimes you are just "zoning out" and not really paying attention to what you're doing... your guard is down, if you will... next thing you know you're staring at an attractive woman. That isn't that big of a deal, IMO. It is something that naturally happens. God has made us men to be attracted to the beauty of women.

But, unforgiveness is something in the heart where you "dig in your heels" against a brother/sister in Christ. In essence, you are saying "Christ's blood was not enough." Somehow, the unforgiving person reasons that this man owes something beyond the blood of Christ.

[dgolvach]

I would say that unforgiveness would be the greater sin, but only God knows that. We know that all sin is bad.... but, nobody here on earth (that I know of) has a scale of what falls in where.

I would tend to agree. Christianity is built on forgivness. Perhaps God will show pity to a poor sinner who at least had the capacity to forgive those who have sin against him.

Dan

[eric]

The picture is not quite complete here. Maybe the wife gave off some vibes to make the priest come on to her. It has happened before you know. I am not defending the priest because either way he was wrong and so was the husband, but is the wife as pure as driven snow?.....something to consider. Could well have been a set-up.

e

[Joy in the Journey]

The picture is not quite complete here. Maybe the wife gave off some vibes to make the priest come on to her. It has happened before you know. I am not defending the priest because either way he was wrong and so was the husband, but is the wife as pure as driven snow?.....something to consider. Could well have been a set-up.

e

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

Very good point eric; but I think something is still missing here. The Priest repented and went to confess his sin to the husband, right ? 1 John 1:9 says that he is now forgiven. I understand the husband's anger here, but in God's eyes, the Priest has not sinned ( Psalm 103:12 & Hebrews 10:17 ). Now the husband must seek forgiveness. So to ask which sin was worse ? Well, the un repented sin is- because that's the only transgression not sought forgiveness for. The Priest at this point has the privilege of forgiving the un forgiver for his sin ( if he holds any anger about getting his teeth knocked about ).

God bless,

Tim