Answer: It depends on the type of Christian you ask.

Theological Traditions Included: Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Non-Calvinist Protestant, Calvinist Protestant, Progressive

All five traditions affirm that both murder and lying are sins that offend God and damage relationships.
The Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Calvinist Protestant traditions generally view murder as a more severe sin than lying due to its direct violation of the sanctity of life and its irreversible consequences.
Non-Calvinist Protestants acknowledge murder's devastating earthly effects but emphasize that all sins separate us from God.
Progressive Christians are cautious about comparing the relative severity of sins and focus on understanding the complex factors contributing to sinful behavior and promoting healing and restoration.
All traditions emphasize the availability of God's mercy and forgiveness through repentance and faith in Christ, with some differences in emphasis (e.g., the Catholic Church's focus on the Sacrament of Reconciliation).
The varying perspectives on the severity of murder compared to lying are rooted in different understandings of the nature and consequences of sin, as well as the role of God's grace in addressing sin. However, all traditions ultimately point to the transformative power of God's mercy and the need for repentance and faith.

“Sin is sin” was what I was always told growing up.

Justin Bailey – Creator of ChristianAnswers.ai

Quick Comparison

Tradition	Nature of Sin	Severity of Murder vs. Lying	Role of God's Mercy
Eastern Orthodox	All sins separate us from God	Murder more severe due to irreversible consequences	Available to all who repent
Non-Calvinist Protestant	All sins separate us from God	Murder has more devastating earthly effects	Forgiveness through faith in Christ
Progressive	Sins harm relationships and human flourishing	Cautious about comparing; focus on underlying causes	Transforms broken lives and relationships
Catholic	Mortal sins cut off grace; venial sins less severe	Murder is mortal sin; lying's severity varies	Sacrament of Reconciliation for confession and absolution
Calvinist Protestant	All sins rebel against God's holiness	Murder particularly heinous violation of God's law	Christ's atonement covers all sins for believers

Hear from Each Perspective

Ordered by number of adherents

John / Catholic

The Catholic Church teaches that all sins offend God and damage our relationship with Him and with others. However, the Church also recognizes a distinction between mortal sins, which involve grave matter and cut us off from God's grace, and venial sins, which are less serious and do not completely sever our relationship with God. Murder is considered a mortal sin because it is a direct violation of the Fifth Commandment and an attack on the fundamental right to life. It is an intrinsically evil act that can never be justified. Lying, while also a sin that goes against God's truth and can lead us away from Him, is not always a mortal sin. The severity of a lie depends on factors such as the intention, the consequences, and the circumstances. The Church calls us to frequent the Sacrament of Reconciliation to confess our sins and receive God's forgiveness, particularly for mortal sins. While we should strive to avoid all sins, we must also trust in God's infinite mercy and love, which can heal even the deepest wounds of sin.

Anthony / Eastern Orthodox

In Eastern Orthodoxy, we recognize that all sins separate us from God and require repentance. However, we also acknowledge that some sins have more severe consequences than others, both for the individual and for the community. Murder is a direct violation of the sanctity of human life, which is created in God's image. It is a sin that cannot be undone and causes irreparable harm. Lying, while also a serious sin that distorts the truth and damages relationships, does not have the same level of finality and can be rectified through confession and reconciliation. The Church's canonical discipline reflects this distinction, with murder traditionally incurring a longer period of excommunication and penance than lying. However, we must always remember that God's mercy is available to all who sincerely repent, regardless of the nature of their sin.

Caleb / Non-Calvinist Protestant

We affirm that all sins are offensive to God and deserve judgment. The Bible declares that the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23) and that all have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). In this sense, no sin is "worse" than another, as all sins separate us from God. However, we also recognize that sins can have different earthly consequences and degrees of impact on others. Murder is a particularly grievous sin because it involves the unjust taking of human life, which is precious to God. It violates the commandment "You shall not murder" (Exodus 20:13) and has devastating effects on the victim's loved ones. Lying, while also contrary to God's nature and damaging to relationships, does not typically have the same level of immediate and irreversible harm. Ultimately, the severity of sin should be understood in terms of its impact on our relationship with God and others, rather than a strict hierarchy. The good news is that through Jesus Christ, forgiveness and restoration are available for all sins when we repent and put our faith in Him.

Nathan / Calvinist Protestant

We affirm the biblical truth that all human beings are sinful by nature and deserve God's just condemnation (Romans 3:10-18). In this sense, no one sin is "worse" than another, as all sins are a rebellion against God's holy character and a transgression of His law. However, we also recognize that some sins have more severe earthly consequences and cause greater harm to others. Murder is a particularly heinous sin because it involves the unjust taking of human life, which is created in God's image (Genesis 9:6). It is a direct violation of God's moral law and has tragic ripple effects on families and communities. Lying, while also a serious sin that goes against God's nature as a God of truth (Numbers 23:19), does not typically have the same level of immediate and irreversible damage. Ultimately, the only hope for sinners is the saving grace of Jesus Christ, who bore the penalty for our sins on the cross. When we repent and trust in Christ alone for salvation, we are forgiven and clothed in His perfect righteousness. As believers, we are called to strive against all sin, relying on the power of the Holy Spirit to lead us in paths of righteousness.

Hannah / Progressive

Progressive Christians approach the question of sin's severity with an emphasis on understanding the complex social and psychological factors that contribute to human behavior. We recognize that both murder and lying are harmful actions that violate God's desire for human flourishing and right relationships. However, we also acknowledge that individuals who commit these sins are often themselves victims of trauma, oppression, or mental illness. Rather than focusing on comparing the relative "badness" of different sins, we seek to address the underlying causes and work towards healing, restoration, and social justice. The Bible's prohibitions against murder and lying should be understood not as arbitrary rules, but as guidelines for creating a society of trust, nonviolence, and mutual respect. Ultimately, God's grace is sufficient to transform even the most broken lives and relationships. The Church's role is to be a community of compassion, accountability, and support for all people, recognizing that we are all sinners in need of God's mercy and each other's love.

The Key Differences

1. The Nature of Sin

All five traditions affirm that both murder and lying are sins that offend God and damage relationships.
Calvinist and Non-Calvinist Protestants emphasize that all sins are a rebellion against God's holiness and deserve judgment.
The Catholic Church distinguishes between mortal sins, which cut us off from God's grace, and venial sins, which are less severe.
Progressive Christians focus on understanding the complex social and psychological factors that contribute to sinful behavior.

2. The Severity of Murder Compared to Lying

The Eastern Orthodox, Catholic, and Calvinist Protestant traditions generally view murder as a more severe sin than lying due to its direct violation of the sanctity of life and its irreversible consequences.
Non-Calvinist Protestants acknowledge that murder has more devastating earthly effects than lying but emphasize that all sins separate us from God.
Progressive Christians are cautious about comparing the relative "badness" of different sins and instead focus on addressing the underlying causes and promoting healing and restoration.

3. The Role of God's Mercy and Forgiveness

All five traditions emphasize the availability of God's mercy and forgiveness for all sins through repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.
The Catholic Church stresses the importance of the Sacrament of Reconciliation for confessing sins and receiving absolution, particularly for mortal sins.
Calvinist Protestants highlight the sufficiency of Christ's atoning work on the cross to cover all sins and clothe believers in His righteousness.
Progressive Christians underscore the transformative power of God's grace to heal even the most broken lives and relationships.

Is murder worse than lying in God's eyes?