|

7 Sins That Christians Won’t Talk About (#5 might upset a few people)

Sins Christians Ignore

Christians love talking about sin… when it’s someone else’s sin. We see it in the news, we call it out on social media, we shake our heads when we see people making bad choices. But what about the sins we ignore? The ones we justify, excuse, or don’t even recognize as a problem?

The Bible tells us to examine our own hearts (2 Corinthians 13:5). But we often get more concerned with the sin in our neighbors lives that we ignore what’s happening in our own.

This post isn’t about pointing fingers at the world. It’s about looking in the mirror. Are there sins in your life that you’ve ignored? Justified? Or dismissed because “everyone does it”?

Jesus didn’t just call out the obvious sins, He challenged the hidden ones. The ones people overlook. The ones that quietly take hold of our hearts.

Today, we’re diving into 7 sins Christians often ignore. The point is not to judge, not to shame, but to wake us up. Because we can’t fix what we won’t face.

Let’s take a look.

1. Gluttony – The Sin We Celebrate

Gluttony is one of the most accepted sins in the church today. We call out all kinds of moral failings, but when it comes to overindulgence in food, drink, and excess? We actually glorify it. Church events are centered around eating, and overeating is often joked about. But the Bible is clear—self-control is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Let me be clear, enjoying food isn’t a sin. The Bible encourages feasting in the right context. But when food, drink, or indulgence starts to control us, it becomes an idol. Gluttony isn’t just about eating too much; it’s about excess in anything.

Our culture teaches us that “more is better.” But Jesus calls us to discipline, moderation, and self-control. We need to ask ourselves: Is food or excess ruling my life more than God?

2. Fear & Anxiety – The Sin We Justify

I need to be clear here, mental illness is not a sin. If you struggle with anxiety or depression due to medical reasons, that’s not what I’m talking about.

What I am talking about is, the fear and anxiety we choose to hold onto—our obsession over money, politics, health, or the future is rooted in a lack of trust in God. Jesus directly told us not to worry (Matthew 6:25-27). Yet, we often let fear dominate our thoughts and decisions.

We live in a world that thrives on fear—fear of the future, fear of failure, fear of loss. But here’s the truth: If Jesus conquered death, what do we actually have to be afraid of?

Worry doesn’t fix problems—it steals joy. Fear doesn’t give us control—it drains our faith. So instead of living in constant anxiety, we should be casting our cares on God (1 Peter 5:7). Because at the end of the day, He is in control, not us.

3. Idolatry – The Sin That Hides in Plain Sight

When we hear “idolatry,” we think of golden statues. But we still have idols today, they just look different.

Your idol might be:

  • The screen in your hand
  • Your social media accounts
  • Your career, reputation, or money
  • Even your family

Idolatry is anything that takes God’s place as the most important thing in your life. And here’s the test: what’s the first thing you think about in the morning and the last thing at night? Whatever that is, it might be your idol.

The problem with idols is that they promise happiness but always leave us empty. We think, “If I just get that promotion, that house, that body, that recognition… then I’ll be fulfilled.” But it never satisfies.

Jesus warned against this. He said no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24). So, what’s competing for God’s place in your life? It’s time to let go of idols that don’t last and pursue the only One who does.

For more check out: 10 Surprising Modern Day Idols

4. Consumerism – The Sin We Excuse

We live in the wealthiest country in history, yet most of us are buried in debt and discontentment. Why? Because we are constantly told we need more and more stuff, more status, more luxury.

Jesus told a parable in Matthew 25:14-30 about stewardship. God entrusted us with resource: time, money, and opportunities and expects us to use them wisely. But instead, we often use all we have on ourselves and take on debt to buy even more.

Having money isn’t a sin. But letting money and possessions run your life is. If we’re consumed with what we own instead of what we give, we’ve lost sight of what really matters.

Consumerism teaches us to chase the temporary. Jesus calls us to invest in the eternal (Matthew 6:19-21). Instead of asking, “What else can I get?” maybe we should ask, “How can I give?”

5. Nationalism – When Patriotism Becomes an Idol

Loving your country isn’t wrong. But when loyalty to a nation or political ideology outweighs our allegiance to God, it becomes idolatry.

Too many Christians are more concerned about the direction of their country than the direction of their own faith. If we get more emotional about politics than about the lost, we might have our priorities out of order.

The truth is, God’s Kingdom doesn’t fit neatly into any political party or government. Jesus wasn’t a Republican. He wasn’t a Democrat. His mission was bigger than any earthly system.

So, where is your real allegiance? If your hope is in politics, it will fail you. If your trust is in a nation, it will eventually let you down. But if your faith is in God’s eternal Kingdom, you’ll never be shaken.

6. Idleness – The Sin of Doing Nothing

Some sins aren’t about what we do, but what we fail to do.

Idleness isn’t just laziness, it’s passivity. It’s knowing what’s right but staying silent. It’s watching people fall into sin and saying nothing. It’s seeing a need and walking away.

In Genesis, when Eve was tempted, where was Adam? Standing there. Doing nothing. And today, many of us do the same. We’re passive in our families, our communities, and our churches. We see struggles, but we don’t step in.

James 4:17 says, “If anyone knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin.”

Jesus didn’t call us to be spectators. He called us to step up; to protect, to lead, to love, and to fight for what’s right. Sitting on the sidelines isn’t an option. It’s time to get in the game.

7. Comfort – The Lie That Keeps Us Stuck

One of the biggest lies we believe is that life is about our personal comfort. It’s not.

Jesus never promised an easy life. He said, “Take up your cross and follow me” (Luke 9:23). But too many of us live as if following Jesus means having a safe, easy, predictable life.

Look at Jesus’ life, He didn’t choose comfort. He chose sacrifice. He stepped into hard places. He gave up everything. And He calls us to do the same.

Comfort isn’t a sin in itself. But when it keeps us from stepping out in faith, serving others, or obeying God, it becomes one.

Following Jesus will lead us into uncomfortable places. But that’s where real growth happens. Are you willing to step out?

The Challenge

So here’s the challenge, which of these sins do you struggle with? Be honest. It’s easy to nod along and think about how other people need to hear this. But that’s not the point.

The point is self-examination. The sins we ignore don’t go away, they just dig deeper into our hearts until they shape our character, our decisions, and our relationship with God.

The good news? God’s grace is bigger than our blind spots. When we bring our sins into the light, He doesn’t shame us—He forgives, restores, and transforms. But that can only happen if we’re willing to admit where we’ve fallen short.

So, let’s start a real conversation. Which of these hit home for you? Drop a comment below, I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Similar Posts

3 Comments

  1. I struggle the most probably with comfort and idleness and obsession with food, even though I don’t over eat, I don’t think I do. Please pray for me. My name is Stephanie Hodge. Thanks.

  2. Thank you! I love the whole Truth, nothing but the Truth. We miss so much when we take the Word in stride, without examining our own hearts and lining them up
    with His Truth. Lord help us!

  3. nailed it

    i also so appreciate your essays this morning on REPENTANCE and on the PRIDIGAL SON — your work gives me hope as that our national instutions and ideals seem beseiged by chaos and overtaken by false prophets: the church will arise and save us from ourselves via embracing Jesus’ teachings to love our neighbor as ourselves: yay!

    this concept should be as accessible to people of other faith traditions and of little or even no faith: i treasure the simplicity and clarity of this teaching, and how trying to honor it can be the work of a whole lifetime

    for “extra credit” during Lent, or perhaps as a coping strategy to replace my outrage, fear and despair, i am practicing loving my enemy via praying that God will enter the heart and mind of the current American president and that this “sad, strange little man” Donald Trump, to quote Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story, so that he might be transformed by God’s Love into using has mad powers for good, at last: amen

    i am sincere in this, and optimistic

    thank you for all the unflinching wisdom you present in this blog, and God bless

    kindest regards
    lisa delille bolton
    nashville tn

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *