Question: In the Bible does it say there are degrees of sin? In God's eyes is lying and murder the very same thing?

Answer: Many want there to be degrees of sin, so they can try and justify themselves buy saying their sin isn't as bad as someone else's. Read these verses... 1 John 3:4 Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. James 2:10-11 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. For he who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker. Consider the fact that God is infinitely perfect, holy, and unchangeable. To Him, and by His standard, all sin great or small is still sin. God establishes in the Bible that all sin is equal before Him in that it falls short of His perfection. All sin equally is punishable by death (even Adam and Eve's sin of disobedience was punishable by death). In this aspect, it doesn't matter if the sin is lying, cheating, adultery, or rebellion. Read Romans 6:23 again. One sin 'small' or 'large' (as the world would talk) earns you death. Yet, realize that God is just. Other passages speak of degrees of sin... John 19:11 Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin." 2 Peter 2:17 and Jude 13... They both speak of "blackest darkness" reserved for deceivers of the church. God does point out though that there are degrees of sin in regards to punishment. The sin of deceiving (or trying to deceive) God's church (through false teaching, etc) is shown to be the most serious sin, with a special punishment including "blackest darkness". It's hard to image that their can be worse torments in Hell than the unquenchable fire and despair that await all who go there. In another way, in the area of earthly consequences, there are also degrees of sin. The Bible shows us that all sin has consequences (read the Old and New Testaments). Some sins have greater consequences. Needless to say, the sin of committing adultery of the heart (thinking lustful thoughts) has consequences affecting only one person versus committing the act of adultery (sex outside of marriage) which has consequences affecting two persons. (See Matt 5:27-28). God's forgiveness for sin (if sought) does not mean that the earthly consequences (big or small) for that sin necessarily go away... Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.