What does the Bible say about facial sins?

The Bible is absolutely against facial sins. While facial sins are generally more passive than sins committed by other parts of the body, they can be just as damaging. Facials sins include:

• Being nosey; Paul speaks against busybodies who don't mind their own business (1 Timothy 5:13).

• Hearing what we shouldn't; while it's true that overhearing secret conversations saved the lives of King Xerxes (Esther 2:21-23) and Paul (Acts 23:16), Solomon warned us not to listen to what others say about us—after all, we've likely said worse at some point (Ecclesiastes 7:21-22).

• Looking too long; in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus explained that committing adultery is sin, but looking at someone lustfully is just as bad (Matthew 5:27-28).

• Speaking; honestly, there are so many verses about speaking—lying, being vulgar, using discouraging words, speaking before listening—it's almost better to just not say anything.

These are just a few of the facial sins the Bible warns against. For your particular situation, ask God for wisdom. We don't want to tell you exactly how to avoid facial sins. Setting too many rules is the precursor to fascism.

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