While God looks down on sin, he doesn’t look down on people, right?

on Oct 14, 2025

From the writings of the Rev. Billy Graham

Q: While God looks down on sin, he doesn’t look down on people, right? It is clear that God will judge those who take another person’s life; murder is obviously wrong, but I’ve never read where Jesus said it was wrong when a man and woman find happiness through intimacy with each other outside of marriage – that is far from murder, and this is the dilemma my son and girlfriend are debating with me. – F.T.

A: The Apostle Paul posed the question: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?” (Romans 6:1, NIV). It is dangerous to be so flippant about sin as though God turns His eyes away. Jesus said, “But I say … whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart” (Matthew 5:28, NKJV).

Repentance involves a recognition on our part that what we are doing is wrong, and it also involves a deliberate turning from sin as well. It is not enough to know that what we are doing is wrong in God’s eyes. We are also commanded to turn from it.

Jesus declared that He came to Earth to call sinners to repentance (see Luke 5:32). Paul stated that God commands all people “everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30, NKJV). Many other verses could be quoted.

We make a mockery of God’s forgiveness when we deliberately engage in sin because we think He will forgive it later. People deceive themselves while believing that they will find true happiness while sinning. Rejecting God is embracing a life of sin. The Bible warns that wickedness is like a tossing sea, restless and casting up mire and mud (see Isaiah 57:20–21).

For the Christian, the most powerful thing to do on behalf of those steeped in sin is to pray that God’s Holy Spirit will infiltrate their minds and hearts and respond in repentance, desiring to do God’s will and live according to His Word.

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(This column is based on the words and writings of the late Rev. Billy Graham.)