It’s easy to think of sin only in terms of the more visible or serious offenses, things like theft, murder, or adultery. When we don’t see those sins in ourselves, we may feel a sense of ease or even self-righteousness, convincing ourselves we’re in good standing. But Scripture teaches that sin runs far deeper than external actions.

The Apostle Paul reminds us plainly: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). None of us is exempt. Jesus takes it further in the Sermon on the Mount, showing that sin begins in the heart. “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:27–28). Even a lack of love for our neighbor is sin, for the greatest commandments are to “love the Lord your God” and “love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

When we begin to rank sins, deeming some as worse and excusing others as minor, we blind ourselves to our own need for grace. We begin to treat our shortcomings as mere missteps instead of recognizing them as offenses against a holy God.

Jesus addressed this kind of thinking in His parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector. The Pharisee stood in the temple and thanked God that he was not like other men, especially not like the tax collector who stood at a distance, beating his chest and crying out, “God, be merciful to me, a sinner!” (Luke 18:13). But Jesus declared that it was the tax collector, not the Pharisee, who went home justified before God. “For all who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14).

Rather than judging others or minimizing our own sins, we should look upon repentant hearts with humility and, if anything, admiration. For it is a beautiful and holy thing to be able to humble oneself before God. The real danger is not in the visible sins of others, but in the pride that convinces us we no longer need forgiveness.

1 Peter 2:1-5