If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.
-I John 1:8, NIV
“Sin-Leveling” is an argument that trades on fallacious reasoning. The argument goes that all sin is equal or on the same “level.” Your lie about how how much you spent on your last trip to Target is just as wrong as committing adultery. That is “sin-leveling.”
Like all “good” lies, it trades on truth to manipulate us.
It is true that we all sin (see Romans 3:23). And it is true that one sin separates us from our holy God. In that sense, all sin is on the same level.
Yet justice does not work this way treating all crimes as the same. A just system takes into account the impact of the crime.
God is just, and God takes into account impact of sin as well.
This is what is truly evil about those who engage in sin-leveling arguments. They are distorting God’s image and using God’s name in vain, in my opinion.
God does not treat jay-walking on the same level as running over and killing a man. The impact is not the same. The jay-walker did not commit an equal sin to the careless or malicious driver who killed him with his automobile. Jay walking and manslaughter are not on the same level.
Sadly, “Christians” often engage in sin-leveling when talking with faithful spouses. They treat minor impact sins of the faithful spouse as the same as a double life of lies and adultery abuse. These are not same things.
When someone engages in sin-leveling, it is helpful name it (if only to yourself) and confront it, if the relationship is worth saving.
“You are engaging in sin-leveling. My sins are not equal in impact to Cheater’s double life of lies and adultery. You are engaging in a gross distortion of justice and truth.
“I am concerned for your soul that you are speaking such false things about how God sees me and this situation. God is just and would not speak to me as cruelly and unjustly as you are right now!”
I wanted to point out John 19:11 are Jesus’ words: “…Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”
This suggests strongly that Jesus sees a hierarchy of sin, that not all sins are equal, some are obviously greater than others. Don’t we already know this? I have to imagine we do, being created in His image and all.
There is also a sin-leveling tendency quoting Matthew 5:28 about adultery, that lusting is committing adultery in your heart. I would argue adultery in the flesh is a greater sin than adultery in your heart.
Self-righteousness and trying to be superior is not at all the same as expressing hurt from cheating. Not even close. I pray the Lord gives Christians the discernment and words when speaking to people betrayed by cheating.