I am Pastor Christopher Turk. For more than thirty years, people in the pews asked me the same questions: is this a sin, what does the Bible actually say, and how do we live it out? This is where I answer them, from Scripture.
- Ordained 1994 to gospel ministry
- 30+ years in full-time ministry
- Lead pastor for two decades Grace Fellowship Church, Penticton, British Columbia
- 85 questions answered below, each with its Bible verses
Is It A Sin? Find Your Question
Search or tap a category. Every card gives my short answer; tap it for the Scripture and the reasoning.
- Not A SinAre Piercings A Sin?No; Scripture never condemns piercings, so the real questions are motive, modesty and conscience.
- DebatedAre Tattoos A Sin In The Bible?Not in itself; Leviticus 19:28 targeted pagan mourning rites, and the sin lies in a rebellious or vain motive.
- SinIs Abortion A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names it, but because God forms life in the womb, deliberately ending it is sinful, yet forgivable.
- DebatedIs Addiction A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names addiction, but feeding it is sin, and it is also a bondage God frees people from.
- SinIs Adultery A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the seventh commandment forbids it, though God forgives the person who truly repents.
- DebatedIs Anal Sex A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never mentions it within marriage, so it is no direct sin there, but I counsel against it as a pastoral judgment.
- DebatedIs Anger A Sin?Not in itself; anger becomes sin when driven by pride or revenge, held onto, or used to hurt others.
- Not A SinIs Being Left-Handed A Sin In The Bible?No; the Bible never condemns left-handed people and names skilled left-handers such as Ehud the judge.
- Not A SinIs Being Vegan A Sin In The Bible?No; being vegan is a matter of freedom, as long as you do not force it on others or use it to earn God's favor.
- SinIs Believing In Zodiac Signs And Astrology A Sin?Yes; the Bible forbids divination, and relying on stars to guide your life turns from God to something else.
- SinIs Bullying A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the word is absent, but Scripture condemns harming and tormenting people made in God's image.
- SinIs Cheating A Sin In The Bible?Yes; cheating breaks faithfulness or combines lying and stealing, though Christ forgives those who repent.
- Not A SinIs Cremation A Sin In The Bible?No; the Bible never forbids cremation, and the God who made us from dust can raise us from ashes.
- SinIs Cursing A Sin In The Bible?Yes, vulgar or hateful language is wrong for a Christian, though the Bible gives no list of banned words.
- Not A SinIs Dating A Sin In The Bible?Not in itself; the Bible's teaching on love, purity and honesty decides whether a relationship honors God.
- Not A SinIs Debt A Sin In The Bible?No; owing money is not a sin, but failing to repay what you owe is.
- Not A SinIs Depression A Sin In The Bible?No; depression is an illness, and the Bible never condemns those who suffer it.
- DebatedIs Divorce A Sin In The Bible?It falls short of God's design for lifelong marriage, but the Bible permits it in some cases and offers forgiveness.
- DebatedIs Doing Yoga A Sin In The Bible?Plain stretching is not a sin, but taking part in yoga's spiritual side is a matter for wisdom and conviction.
- Not A SinIs Drinking Alcohol A Sin In The Bible?Not in itself; moderate drinking is allowed and drunkenness is condemned, while abstaining is equally honorable.
- Not A SinIs Eating Pork A Sin In The Bible?No; Jesus declared all foods clean, so a Christian may eat pork with thanksgiving.
- Not A SinIs Falling In Love A Sin In The Bible?No; falling in love is how God made us, and only what we do with the feeling can become sinful.
- Not A SinIs Fear A Sin In The Bible?Not in itself; fear becomes sin when it comes from distrusting God and starts ruling how we live.
- DebatedIs Gambling A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names it, but it warns against greed, so avoid it if prone to compulsion; a small bet is conscience.
- SinIs Gluttony A Sin In The Bible?Yes, when it means habitual overindulgence that lets appetite rule; enjoying a good meal is not gluttony.
- SinIs Gossiping A Sin In The Bible?Yes; gossip betrays confidences and tears people down, even when what is passed on is true.
- SinIs Greed A Sin In The Bible?Yes, and a serious one; Paul calls it idolatry, though it is forgivable and can be broken by giving.
- SinIs Hate A Sin In The Bible?Yes; hating a person is sin, though we are told to hate evil, never the people made in God's image.
- SinIs Incest A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the law forbids sex with a close relative and the New Testament still condemns it as sexual immorality.
- DebatedIs It A Sin To Watch Horror Movies?Not by definition, but each Christian must decide with wisdom, avoiding what glorifies cruelty or the occult.
- SinIs It Wrong To Cause Others To Sin?Yes; causing others to sin is itself a serious sin, and God holds us responsible for tempting or misleading them.
- DebatedIs Jealousy A Sin In The Bible?It depends; God's jealousy is holy, while human jealousy that resents others or rivals God is sin.
- DebatedIs Judging A Sin In The Bible?It depends; hypocritical or harsh judging is sin, but believers are also told to discern and correct gently.
- Not A SinIs Kissing Or Making Out A Sin In The Bible?No; kissing is not a sin in itself, but it becomes one when it stirs sexual desire outside marriage.
- SinIs Laziness A Sin In The Bible?Yes, persistent willful laziness is sin, but honest rest, illness and tiredness are not.
- DebatedIs Living Together Outside Of Marriage A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names it, but sex outside marriage is sin, and I advise waiting to move in until after marrying.
- SinIs Lust A Sin In The Bible?Yes; lust is a deliberate craving for what God has not given you, though desire for your own spouse is not lust.
- SinIs Lying A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the Bible treats every lie as sin, though lying can be forgiven when we confess and turn from it.
- DebatedIs Manifestation A Sin In The Bible?It depends; goals and thankfulness are fine, but trusting the universe in place of God is a spiritual error.
- DebatedIs Masturbation A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never mentions it; it turns sinful when fed by lust or ruling you, and God forgives.
- Not A SinIs Meditation A Sin?No; biblical meditation means filling the mind with God's Word, unlike emptying the mind as in Eastern practices.
- Not A SinIs Music A Sin In The Bible?No; secular music is not a sin in itself, so test the content, its effect on you and your conscience.
- DebatedIs Not Going To Church A Sin In The Bible?It will not cost you salvation, but deliberately dropping out of fellowship neglects what God gave for your good.
- DebatedIs Not Reading A Bible A Sin?Missing a day is not sin, but a settled habit of ignoring God's Word points to a heart problem.
- SinIs Numerology A Sin In The Bible?Yes; reading meaning or the future from numbers is the divination the Bible forbids, unlike noting numbers in Scripture.
- DebatedIs Oral Sex A Sin In The Bible?Not between a husband and wife who freely agree, motivated by love; outside marriage it is sin.
- SinIs Pedophilia A Sin In The Bible?Yes; sexual abuse of a child is a grave sin and a crime, and the Bible condemns it without ambiguity.
- Not A SinIs Playing Football A Sin In The Bible?No; sport is not forbidden, and only a heart of pride, violence or idolatry makes it a problem.
- Not A SinIs Playing The Lottery A Sin In The Bible?Not in itself; the sin, if any, lies in greed and the motive for playing and what the habit does to you.
- SinIs Polygamy A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the Bible's design is one man and one woman for life, and it records polygamy as a source of grief.
- Not A SinIs Poverty A Sin In The Bible?No; being poor is not a moral failing, and God calls his people to care for the poor.
- SinIs Premarital Sex A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the Bible reserves sex for marriage, though God forgives the repentant and offers a fresh start.
- SinIs Pride A Sin In The Bible?Yes, when it takes credit God deserves, though gratitude for honest work or family is not that pride.
- SinIs Rape A Sin In The Bible?Yes; rape is a grave sin, the Bible never places guilt on the victim, and survivors carry no shame before God.
- SinIs Saying "Oh My God" A Sin?It treats God's name lightly, which the third commandment forbids, but it is forgivable and not usually blasphemy.
- Not A SinIs Self-Defense A Sin In The Bible?No; the Bible forbids vengeful retaliation but not defending yourself or others from harm.
- Not A SinIs Sex Or Having Sex A Sin In The Bible?No; God designed sex as a gift for marriage, and it becomes sin only outside that covenant.
- DebatedIs Smoking A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names smoking, but because it harms the body and grips the will, a Christian should work toward freedom.
- SinIs Smoking Weed A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never names marijuana, but I hold that recreational use is sinful, and God forgives those who turn from it.
- SinIs Stealing A Sin In The Bible?Yes; the eighth commandment forbids it, though God forgives the thief who repents and makes things right.
- SinIs Suicide A Sin In The Bible?Taking one's life is wrong because life is God's gift, but the Bible never calls it unforgivable.
- DebatedIs Swearing A Sin In The Bible?It depends; careless oaths and profanity are wrong, while swearing an oath is not always sin.
- Not A SinIs Throwing Away A Bible A Sin?No; the paper is not holy, though an old Bible deserves respectful disposal rather than being tossed in contempt.
- DebatedIs Twerking A Sin In The Bible?The Bible never mentions it, but a sexually suggestive dance falls under its teaching on lust and purity.
- DebatedIs Usury A Sin In The Bible?Fair lending at interest is never named as sin, but exploiting the needy with a crushing rate is.
- SinIs Vanity A Sin In The Bible?Yes; vanity is excessive pride in yourself that shifts to us the glory belonging to God.
- DebatedIs Vaping A Sin?The Bible never names vaping, but because most vapes deliver addictive nicotine, a Christian should move toward freedom.
- SinIs Watching Porn A Sin In The Bible?Yes; it is designed to stir lust, which Jesus called adultery of the heart, but God forgives it completely.
- DebatedIs Worry A Sin?When worry becomes a settled habit of distrusting God it is sin, but passing concern and anxiety disorders are not.
- Not A SinIs Writing In The Bible A Sin?No; underlining and taking notes in your own Bible is fine, but leave other people's copies alone.
- Not A SinIs Yeast Or Leavened Bread A Sin In The Bible?No; the ban on yeast belonged to a festival and the New Testament never makes it a food rule.
- SinWhat Does God Say About Using Amulets?Relying on an amulet for protection or luck is misplaced trust that the Bible warns against as idolatry.
- DebatedWhat Does Halloween Mean In The Bible? Is It A Sin?The Bible never names it and Christians differ, so avoid the occult and follow your conscience.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Crystals?Crystals are beautiful creation with no healing power, and using them for energy or protection is forbidden occult trust.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About "Hate The Sin, Love The Sinner"?The phrase is not in the Bible, but the idea is biblical: hate evil and love people, even enemies.
- DebatedWhat Does The Bible Say About Homosexuality?Read classically, the passages speak against same-sex acts, though the Bible never condemns a person for attraction.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Mediums?Yes, the Bible forbids consulting mediums, and God offers himself and his promise of resurrection for grief.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Psychics?The Bible clearly forbids consulting psychics, mediums and fortune tellers; guidance belongs with God's Word and Spirit.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Supporting Sin?The Bible condemns cheering on sin, while patience with people and love for sinners are good.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Tarot Cards?The Bible never names tarot, but it forbids divination, so Christians should avoid it and seek guidance from God.
- DebatedWhat Does The Bible Say About Touching Breasts?Within marriage it is not sinful, but outside marriage it is sexual immorality.
- DebatedWhat Does The Bible Say About Transgender Individuals?The classic reading holds that God made us male and female; the world has changed, and I accept and support transgender people.
- SinWhat Does The Bible Say About Witchcraft?Yes; witchcraft is condemned as idolatry, but anyone who turns from it to Christ is forgiven.
- DebatedWhat Does The Bible Say About Women Pastors?Christians disagree; my reading reserves the pastor-elder office for qualified men, while women serve in many other roles.
- SinWhat Is Sexual Immorality According To The Bible?Sexual immorality means any sexual activity outside the marriage of one man and one woman, and repentance brings forgiveness.
How to read the labels: "Sin" and "Not A Sin" are where I believe Scripture is clear. "Debated" means faithful Christians land in different places, or the answer depends on motive and circumstance; I tell you where I stand and why.
How I Answer Your Questions
Scripture First
Every answer starts with what the Bible says, quoted from the NIV and linked so you can read the passage yourself.
Honest About Disagreement
Where believers read a passage differently, I say so, lay out the views fairly, and then tell you where I land.
No Question Too Awkward
If people are asking it, it deserves a careful answer. I would sooner you ask a pastor than guess.
Start Here
- What Is Sin?The Bible's own definition, in plain words.
- The Ten CommandmentsThe list, the meaning and the verses.
- The Seven Deadly SinsWhere the list came from and what Scripture says.
- The Unforgivable SinWhat it is, and why you likely have not committed it.
- How To RepentWhat repentance means and how to begin.
- Biblical Numbers7, 12, 40, 666 and the repeating numbers people ask about.
A Welcome From Pastor Chris
Greetings and blessings in the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ. I am Pastor Christopher Turk, the voice and spirit behind this blog, Sins In The Bible.
Read The Full Letter
From the early days of my ministry, I felt a calling to reach out beyond my local congregation, yearning to share the wisdom and understanding I’ve accumulated over years of studying God’s word. However, the demands of shepherding my flock and tending to the affairs of the church didn’t leave me enough time to realize this dream.
Then, amid the unprecedented challenges brought on by the COVID pandemic, our church doors closed, and I found the opportunity I had been waiting for. I embraced this adversity and birthed a new way to serve the wider Christian community. Thus, “Sins In The Bible” was born.
In this virtual sanctuary, we look closely at what Scripture says, addressing the often-asked questions that once filled the pews of my church: Is this action or another sinful in the eyes of the Bible? The Bible, in all its divine wisdom, contains many layers of meaning, some of which can seem contradictory at first glance. I strive to bring clarity to these perplexing passages, shedding light on their true significance in our lives.
It is my fervent prayer that this blog proves enlightening, guiding your path in faith and helping you find answers to your most pressing questions. If you feel moved to support this ministry, I graciously welcome your donations. Yet, the most important gift you can offer is your open heart and thirst for understanding. It is my honor to serve you in Christ’s name.
May God’s peace and blessings be upon you always.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is Sin?
In the Bible, sin is missing the mark of God's holiness, whether in what we do, what we fail to do, or what we desire in the heart. It breaks his law and damages our relationship with him. Read the full answer on What Is Sin?
What Is The Worst Sin In The Bible?
The Bible does not rank one sin as the worst for every person, but it treats rejecting God and his Son as the root of all the rest. Some sins do greater harm to others than some. See the greatest sin in the Bible.
Are All Sins Equal?
All sin separates us from God and all of it needs the cross, so in that sense every sin is serious. But Scripture also speaks of greater and lesser wrongs and of harsher judgment for some. I explain both sides on Are All Sins Equal?
Can Every Sin Be Forgiven?
Jesus promised that every sin and blasphemy can be forgiven, with the one exception of a hardened rejection of the Holy Spirit. Anyone who is sorry and wants forgiveness has not done that. See Does God Forgive All Sins?
What Are The Seven Deadly Sins?
The traditional list is pride, greed, lust, envy, gluttony, wrath and sloth. The list comes from church tradition, though the Bible condemns each of them. Find the meaning and verses on The Seven Deadly Sins.