The Degrees of Sin: Building a Christian Conscience with R.C. Sproul

In the Sermon on the Mount, did Jesus teach that having lust in the heart is as sinful as engaging in adultery and that harboring anger is as sinful as committing murder? Is every sin equally evil in the eyes of God, or will He judge some sins more severely than others? In this message, R.C. Sproul reminds us of the nature of God’s justice and the perfect way in which the Lord measures our sin against His holy law.
This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Building a Christian Conscience. Learn more: www.ligonier.o...

[@ligonier]

This message is from Dr. Sproul’s 6-part teaching series Building a Christian Conscience. Watch the entire series: www.ligonier.org/learn/series/building-a-christian-conscience

[@sheldonbass4238]

Excellent, thank you!

[@almachristinemixer1611]

Notnow@@sheldonbass4238

[@almachristinemixer1611]

No

[@clos1881]

@@sheldonbass4238 +q¹1¹1¹1

[@nicolecha143]

Ommmmoo

[@DG-mv6zw]

As David Pawson pointed out. There are 3 types of guilt affecting man: False guilt, exaggerated guilt and true guilt. Psychiatry and psychology can deal with with false guilt and exaggerated guilt, but only God can deal with our true guilt.

[@sethwilley9858]

Well said

[@CJFCarlsson]

brilliant

[@ronaldus1011]

RC Sproul in his later years clearly thrived debating with contemporaries he respected, eg John MacArthur. As far as I know, he never engaged with David Pawson, such a pity. For example, it would have been riveting to listen to Sproul and Pawson debating the issue of guilt that you raise.

[@user-defined875]

thanks God for pastors like you Dr. RC Sproul..your sermons is a treasure to me.. You will be missed..

[@andrewgalvin844]

Well said !

[@johnbutz4291]

could not agree more. Thank you LORD!

[@BrotherofWord]

@user-defined875 And these aren't even his sermons. This is him teaching. His preaching is even better!

[@jaredmjgregory3004]

For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God 😓 but even as Christians we still fail our wonderful heavenly father. Thank you Lord for your mercy and forgiveness 🙏🙏

[@larsolsen2424]

😇

[@madambutterfly7513]

Yes, thank you Lord 🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️🙏✝️

[@tstjohn777]

There is a difference between filtering or slipping up and doing something habitually. Gal. 5:16-21

[@olgaburgos7780]

Eternity is only given by His grace to the Christian believer not to the lost who will burn up to the degree of their sins and then, they , turned to ashes will return to the ground and 😢 and be no more.

[@lalaland962]

The prayer reminded me of something I read years ago: Let my heart be broken by the things that break the heart of God. I just love that, and I think it helps us live more as God wants us to if we keep it in mind.

[@pxantony]

Lovely

[@improvementpaul3865]

Best teaching most Christians never hear.

[@amersharif3546]

R C Sproul was one of the most influential and authentic teachers of the Scripture. His teachings have great impact on my understanding of the Scriptures. One day would see him in heaven!

[@thetruthwillsetyoufree9368]

Because of our continual sin, we have a continual need for our Lord and Savior. Thank you God for not allowing us to rely on ourselves 🙏😌

[@semloclusa1630]

R.C. Sproul’s teachings have been a comforting revelation for me, after coming out of an NAR / Charismatic background. So grounded in Scriptures and intelligently presented. God Bless Mr. Sproul. We miss him.

[@Kitto44]

Wonderful! Thank you Ligonier. Thank God for this man's ministry! He, being dead, yet speaks...

[@jalsr.speak2379]

Ya, but he's not dead. Just his body for now.

[@Kitto44]

@@jalsr.speak2379 Obviously 🙂

[@bradrob2863]

I know one thing after coming out of a life of horrid sin ..IF GOD HAD NOT CHOSEN ME I WOULD HAVE NEVVER CHOSE HIM..

[@newyorknight]

Dr Sproul always gives a great breakdown of biblical issues.

[@benkhojasteh748]

The Lord will save me from every evil and keep me for His heavenly kingdom, to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

[@sallyeblen7032]

Thank you Lord Jesus for giving your life for us!

[@denissimoification]

For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all. (James 2: 10)

[@ChristAcolyte]

Dr. Sproul covers this 16:05

[@dannysmith9009]

Good point...in other words someone has to be a propitiation

[@doroteojr.raging1512]

thank you always Dr. RC and Ligonier ministry.

[@damonflagg7377]

The richness of this message is so vast. 🙌🏾🙏 To God be the glory!

[@clemfitzsimmons685]

This is ground breaking stuff to me. Nobody is fooling God! I’m amazed at RC Sproul’s teachings.

[@kabongemisisera1104]

I will never tire listening to your teachings. Through listening to I finally achieved eternal security although I got born again in 1983. Jim

[@Justyn918]

Bruh this is a Classic Sermon 🔥🔥

[@nathan3942]

What a message! Made clear a few questions that I had for a long time and certainly gave me strength!

[@joelchavez61]

Jesus was basically saying that we should not trust in the law or our supposed adherence to it. God's law is far greater than our understanding of it. God is judging our hearts compared to His own Holiness. God will not only judge our actions but the sins within our hearts. So then His point is that we should give up trying to produce our own righteousness by the law but should trust in His salvation by faith thru grace. It was astonishing to hear that God would judge the heart itself. The reality of this means that all humans are in desperate need of Salvation.

[@jabeskumar4942]

Outstanding. Praise The Lord. May God bless Ligonier Ministries. Love from India.

[@prryblu]

God Bless This Man In Heaven! Love You RC Sproul!!!!

[@johnvandommelen6998]

Just in case any find it useful to learn deep understanding, this is a delightful lesson in the journey... a fascinating amount of knowledge and wisdom packed in a half hour...it should be planted, watered and watched again to remember and grown like an oak tree in the mind.

[@jayonnaj18]

Praise the Lord God Almighty! Pastor Sproul is in the Holy Presence of the Lord now, but Jesus surely used him to the max. to preach/teach His word! He was a faithful minister of righteousness, and how fortunate we believers who are still alive can hear his sermons and learn of God and the Bibe from him! Glory!!!

[@zibaboayaokpo9317]

He who knew his Lord's will and prepared not himself shall be beaten with many stripes though he did nothing worthy of stripes, but he who knew not shall be beaten with few stripes though he did things worthy of stripes. Solomon said that there is a vanity, that there be a wicked to whom it happens like unto the righteous, and the righteous that it happens like unto the wicked, it is vanity and vexation of spirit. Truly, there are degrees of sins, therefore degrees of punishments, yet a liar will spent eternity in hell just like a mass murderer, no purgatory etc. We just have to pray to escape God's eternal wrath and judgement on sin and sinners. May God bless you for teaching sound doctrine Sir.

[@samiaziz5]

Amen to the Glory of Jesus. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are freely justified by His grace through redemption that came by Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:23-24)

[@69Applekrate]

excellent teachings on sin and rewards

[@sharonmckew5523]

I absolutely needed to hear this today. I had been struggling and wondering if I’m good enough to make it into heaven with Jesus. Thank you Jesus for your perfect judgment!

[@frankfaiola2629]

For by grace are you saved through faith, and NOT of ourselves it is the gift of God... We can never be good enough. It's only through the shed blood of Jesus. In Christ alone.

[@andrewshaw6063]

Thank you for making this available.

[@marymsc2659]

I love Dr. Sproul. He's such a wonderful teacher. I can't wait to meet him in heaven❤️✝︎❤️

[@andreaford459]

I would’ve loved to be in that class in person. Thank you Lord for the capability to share it on the web🙌🏻

[@jennifermbati2976]

Wow..this is so instrumental...such clarity is welcome...always thought sin is sin...so important to really read scripture and hear christ teachings

[@Susan-fg3nv]

Bravo!!!!

[@peteranderson2687]

If we can't love ourselves, how can we love others. "The great commandment"

[@brucetowell3432]

I really enjoy listening to preachers/evangelists/pastors/ such as the late R.C. Sproul and the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries at SonLife Broadcasting in Baton Rouge , LA. /Pastor Allen Nolan at Cornerstone Fellowship Ministries in Oklahoma but I'm in Ohio and feel guilty I'm not attending a LIVE and in PERSON church. No matter where go to search for a church , that's not all that far from our zip code, that preaches about things at this level, we are very disappointed. So we spend out time watching listening to Pastors on KZbin. Thoughts from anyone else experiencing this same dilemma? thanks in advance and may God Bless:-)

[@SaintDrews]

Amazing ❤

[@MrGoyahee]

Thank you so much

[@patriot7681]

THANKS I this brother GAS A LOT OF SERMONS FOR MY THOUGHTS

[@forhisglory700]

Wow, an eye opener for me. Great lesson. Thanks. So much more to reflect on and consider.

[@jeanhanson7278]

Such a way to understand the law! I can understand sin in this way!

[@nicksonmireri1655]

Good teaching

[@policani]

R.C. Always reminded me of Peter Falk, the American actor most famous for his role as scruffy TV detective Columbo

[@brandonreq]

Takeaway: All sin is mortal sin in the sense that it deserves death. (James 2:10) No sin is mortal in that It can destroy your saving grace. (Ephisans 2:8-9)

[@timsters5381]

This is true, also what is true; is the reasoning of a good preacher like RC Sproul that even though they are gone from the Earth their words still speak because they are speaking when they do from the Holy Spirit, and word that shall never perish.

[@suewalker8586]

I have loved this!!!!❤❤❤❤❤

[@Beefcake1982]

Great teaching. Amen

[@seaknightvirchow8131]

I love Sproul. I thought for years Jesus was making the thought and the act the same. I do not wish to give squirrels the wrong impression of God much less my fellow man.

[@reneeseabrooks6450]

Wow! I thank God for expository teachers! One of the few last greats!

[@BP7BlackPearl]

except he is wrong. ALL sins have been forgiven. FORGIVEN. Means in the eyes of God, it never happened. How can u be judged by something that never happened. Judgement day will be for one of two issues. Do u worship the beast, and how much good works did u do? If u worshipped the beast, u go to hell, then what happens, I dont know, dont care. Your good works will determine ur posistion in the heavenly heirarchy.

[@reneeseabrooks6450]

Wow became one of the great expository teachers of my time!

[@mikaeljokic8867]

Please pray that God saves me and fills me with His Holy Spirit, Thanks

[@needhelp2453]

You need only to trust that Jesus paid for your sins on the cross, and that there is nothing that you can do to save your self. Your own good works can not save you.

[@memowilliam9889]

He has already paid the price. The good news is that he died for your sins and rose from the dead. There remains little to pray for except that you believe it.

[@S.h-comma.to.the.top-Dynasty]

“And the squirrels are watching me, and the kangaroos!” - RC Sproul (out of context)

[@alandinsmore1186]

God, by his wonderful appearances on the behalf of his people, went about to wrest their idols from them, they held them so much the faster, and said one to another, "Be of good courage; let us unanimously agree to keep up the reputation of our gods. Though Dagon fall before the ark, he shall be set up again in his place." One tradesman encourages another to come into a confederacy for the keeping up of the noble craft of god-making. Thus men's convictions often exasperate their corruptions, and they are made worse both by the word and the works of God, which should make them better.

[@Nicht-die-Mama]

Very good content! Greetings from Germany

[@alexanderschimper9722]

Awesome!

[@robertmize327]

Gives me a headache hearing this stuff. Sometimes I think that ego gets between the inspiration for a teaching and the delivery of the teaching. It is written on our hearts.

[@gracelay05]

fantastic explanation.....thank you for sharing.

[@angloaust1575]

Such shall receive the greater Damnation He who delivered me unto you Has the greater sin!

[@Gnmercjr76]

Amen

[@thecrew777]

Matthew 5:21-22 "21 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not murder, and whoever murders will be in danger of the judgment.’ 22 But I say to you that whoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment. And whoever says to his brother, ‘Raca!’ shall be in danger of the council. But whoever says, ‘You fool!’ shall be in danger of hell fire."

[@catbreath8361]

Amen.

[@dianefinney7570]

Great stuff!

[@jonroth9656]

Christ - " Do you suppose those on whom the tower of Shiloam fell were worse sinners? No, but I tell you that unless you repent......." Interpretation by Christians: there are no varying degrees of sin in God's eyes. Christ (again) before Pilate: "He who has delivered Me to you has the GREATER sin". Now I'll watch the video to see if RC comes close to my analysis of this whole issue.

[@fredphilippi8388]

Catholics always taught that there are "venial sins" (not serious enough to go to hell) and "mortal sins" (serious -- go straight to hell). Most Catholics have moved away from that kind of terminology today.

[@aliced7505]

I'd have to find book, chapter and verse -- wherein it is written that if we put ourselves under the law, that is when we will be judged by the whole law - if guilty of one sin, then guilty of breaking all of the laws. As born-again Christians, we are under grace. Sure sounds like Galatians to me. The law was as a school teacher - to show us our sins. Now that part I know is Galatians. I'll listen to this whole series- see if there's something more specific on this.

[@brucetowell3432]

I presume R.C. recorded this study while he was in his later 20's? early 30's? much appreciation and may God Bless you!:-)

[@Callummullans]

A man who hates his brother is a murderer at heart. Ask to be washed clean and strive to be pure hearted. He thinks as a beast does and has no sense of spirit by focusing on the world.

[@OLThomas-y9j]

We can't assume that everyone who hears the Word of God has the same mind as most sorta good people either Christians or Non - Christians , but that's what MOST preachers fail to grasp ! Have u ever thought about that ?

[@aaronlarsen7447]

Before personal phones you could judge character, when someone would get a call and they would say; Tell them im not home.

[@rocklobster70]

I really enjoy this man’s sermons… if there are different levels of reward in heaven, does that mean we will feel regret that we didn’t live better lives on Earth, or that we’ll be (something like) “jealous” of people who are rewarded more?

[@wataboutya9310]

It might be that we will be unaware of any other level other than the one we find ourselves in.

[@Android-yj9wk]

Love RC! Reminds me of Columbo lol

[@wrongfullyaccused7139]

There are only two types of sin. That which can be forgiven and that which cannot be forgiven.

[@richyoung4051]

False Colossians 2:13 "God has forgiven us all our transgressions".

[@CraigWalters-uk1vg]

I was hoping you could answer this serious question. No question without God's grace just one sin leads to eternal damnation. I believe God's word is pretty clear that they are degrees of sin and even the serious sins God will forgive once He justifies us. So my question is and I want to use an example. A presumptuous sin such as a unbiblical divorce. That is, it is a planned willful disobedience against God. Divorces take some time to complete. Plenty of time to seek guidance to change your mind. Can a born again Christian willfully disobey God, a sin He hates with a passion. I have come to the conclusion unless this sin is repented quickly you were never born again.

[@musebulebrian1357]

No. No. I have to say NO to this one. The flaw in this argument is that while hell is a reward, eternal life is NOT a reward. Justice demands that I go to hell, but the grace of God spared me from justice by God taking my sin upon Himself. It is true that the unsaved people will be judged according to their works. However saved people will not be justified to enter heaven because of their works. If justice overules, all deserve death - eternal death. I am not looking for justice, I want mercy!! Romans 4:1-5 teaches that the only people who are righteous are those who believe in the One who justifies the ungodly. Our faith is counted for righteousness by God. NOT our works. There are NO degrees of righteousness. There is only 'sin' and 'not sin'. All believers have the same righteousness as far as God is concerned. Any 'righteousnes' apart from that is filthy rags according to the prophet Isaiah. It is just as bad to hate as it is to murder. The temporal consequence might be different but the eternal is as horrible. God is a judge of a standard way above ours. Sin is sin. Plain and plain. O Christian never pray for justice. Never ask for what you deserve. O sinner, I promise you that you don't want justice - you need mercy. Don't think that some sin is any less - the price is as hefty. Yes the more the sin, the more the punishment but the punishment is as horrible. It will all be wailing and gnashing of teeth. Flee to grace and mercy in Jesus Christ. You will have fled from justice - for Christ took it upon Himself.

[@T.Ravikumar]

🤷‍♂️Will the sinner in hell hoping to reduce the quantum of his sinning perceive "less heat" in hell⁉️🤦🏻‍♂️ As for the truly saved, Jesus (living in him today) is the only reward he wants.

[@ladcolourful7716]

'He soweth discord.' Proverbs 6:14

[@hennywalker3251]

❤️❤️❤️😇😇😇🙏🏻

[@MMAGUY13]

You can’t be a homosexual and saved but you can drive 51 mph in a 50 mph and be saved if not we are all unsaved. Our righteousness is our faith in Jesus Christ, but if you are an adulterer, if you are homosexual, if you are a murderer, you don’t have faith in Jesus Christ. You can’t be perfect, but we can do the core of God’s law you know them by their fruit if their fruit is evil, they are evil. I love my wife so I don’t murder her. I don’t commit adultery. I don’t steal from her, but I leave the toilet seat up. I get impatient. I always want my way. And that’s the same relationship we have for God we cannot be perfect, but he gives us grace. Love covers a multitude of sins not every sin is on death. It says in the epistle first John chapter 5 Jesus said those who break the small commandments will be small in the kingdom of heaven so it does not take away our salvation

[@Myjesus-1]

Ezekiel 18:24 24 “But if a righteous person turns from their righteousness and commits sin and does the same detestable things the wicked person does, will they live? None of the righteous things that person has done will be remembered. Because of the unfaithfulness they are guilty of and because of the sins they have committed, they will die.

[@CMcKinnon1013]

I'm sorry😢

[@johncolage1651]

Dr. Sproul Thus the Holy Bible of which Jehovah God is the one Author was completed by means of his witnesses, even as it had been begun by means of them. Consequently, with no room allowed for Scriptural contradiction, it may be said that The Holy Bible is the Book by Jehovah's witnesses. As Revelation 19:6 exclaims, "Hallelujah!"

[@jessyjonas4988]

This same psychiatrist: How can David say " against thee only have I sinned did he not sin against Uriah by killing him?" Psychiatrists need salvation Help them Lord they are ensnared in the pride of life

[@antonego7950]

Young R C looks like Nick saban ❤

[@michaelstanley4698]

Sin is sin in every degree. 'Whatsoever is not of faith, is sin'... every aberration from the truth, is sin.

[@naamhaisiddhu]

💚

[@carlacharles2018]

Some people have to steal to eat. Be tolerant in all things. You can not talk about the person, till you walk in their shoes☮️

[@rubenthompson5900]

For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. 2 Thessalonians 3:10 AKJV

[@kabdp]

can't we ask first for some kindness from somebody to share to us some food to fill our empty stomach perhaps?

[@keithburt8348]

Just a question: can someone please point me to the Scripture or scriptural passage that explains the different degrees of severity in hell?

[@sabayo18]

If you're thinking of stages of hell, that comes from the catholics. As for scripture, there's a passage in the new testament that says that sinners are locked outside the walls of the kingdom. Not so sure thats referencing hell. Most of the time its just a lake of fire.

[@GTWAL]

If i could meet one person and have coffee with them. Id want it to be rc sproul.

[@fredflinstone2272]

Phenomenal, of course. But I couldn't help but thinking how much he reminded me of Columbia (Peter Falk) :)

[@Thetruthhassetmefree]

Glad to see I’m not the only one who thinks so! 😎👍😁

[@FURDOG1961]

15:45 Calvin on degree of sin.

[@jakester5272]

I don’t think i’ve ever considered the fact that there were actual rewards for holiness.

[@olgaburgos7780]

This sermon proved that there will not be eternal hell, the sinner will burn to the degree of their sins, en finally turn to ashes.

[@byzantinebird]

The cross is foolishness to the dead.

[@allthingsgardencad9726]

Thats not what Jesus meant at all, He meant that once the idea of Adultery lands in your head (temptation) and you dont shoo it away, but rather begin then to Dwell on it, you then have committed it to heart, meaning that if given the opportunity you would have committed it in concrete, not just the abstract. Sin is not Consequentialism, its spirtual, its problem does not lay in the committing in a concrete sense. We know consequentialism as a Moral system fails continually. If anything its worse to only dream about it and say "at least i have not done it" and be a hypocrite than to actually go and do it, at least the person doing it you can be seen as a individual.

[@bernadette2722]

This is weird he never said in Jesus name !

[@leviwilliams9601]

Did the Young Ruler ever lie...

[@luzivoneramirez-bauers2690]

DONT FORGET THAT THE APOSTOL SAY THERE ARE MORTAL SIN, AND NOT MORTAL SIN.

[@gaylehoy2065]

I really like RC but not too sure about this and the degrees of heaven and hell. Through Christ I am saved - I would like to think that one day I am sitting at the table with Him and the disciples and those mighty men such as RC and all those who have preached the gospel in a mighty way - but if there were degrees in heaven then I won’t be at that table. The Bible also says there is no weeping or gnashing of teeth in heaven - surely if I am sitting at the lower table I will be sad in that my life for Him on this earth was never good enough to be at the higher table. The same with hell. I believe all of us that are saved will be happy knowing that we are with out Saviour - regardless that some were mightier than others. Probably I am wrong - but I simply believe that there is two ways - heaven or hell. And regardless - there are no degrees as this would bring about ‘feelings’ and unhappiness in heaven.

[@Yesica1993]

What we believe or wish is not the authority here. God's Word is the authority. And He clearly teaches there are rewards for obedience (for those who were saved by grace) in heaven and degrees of punishment for those in hell. Exactly what those rewards are and how, exactly, this all plays out, I don't know.

[@StayHomeDad2000]

My heart sank at 9 min 23 sec of this teaching. J.C. says, "A man CAN kiss another woman, not his wife. That's not adultery." However, Jesus is clear in Matthew 5:28 - "But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart." If Jesus taught that if you so much as look lustfully you commit adultery, how much more damning if you actually carry out your thoughts and kiss another woman not your wife? I bet if you'd asked R.C.'s wife if she agreed with that statement, she'd say no. It's likely J.C. would argue that it was the intent in which you did the kissing that matters. Wrong, sir, just wrong. Rest in peace. Having said this, as for the "body of work" for which Mr. Sproul labored an entire life time, I'm grateful. Jesus, will judge him, as us all. Please stay in the Word for yourself and allow the Spirit to help you understand. 1 Corinthians 2:12-13 God bless.

[@josephmathew3193]

....... you missed his point. He was not advocating what you infer. Listen to the whole talk unbiased.

[@StayHomeDad2000]

@@josephmathew3193 what's the point? Please explain what is the point. Watch it again, unbiased.

[@johnaddicott9798]

We all struggle with sins of the flesh thank jesus for his forgiveness and mercy I need to repent everyday for my transgressions

[@johnaddicott9798]

We are all sinners if I say I am not a sinner I am a liar things of the flesh always struggle with the spirit I repent everyday