Is Feeling Anxious a Sin?

Part One of a Study on Anxiety

The Bible has much to say about the topic of anxiety. We are given admonitions not to be anxious, encouragement to deal with anxiety wisely, and warnings to avoid those things that cause us to shrink away anxiously.

However, before we can even begin to examine these truths, we have to answer a nagging question…

Is Anxiety Sin?

For Christians, shallow teaching and an oftentimes misuse of the Scriptures has led many believers to suffer guilt and shame because of their anxious thoughts. Labeling anxiety as sin is easy, but it places an unnecessary burden on the backs of men and women who deal with this issue. It makes anxiety a one-size-fits-all sin area with a one-size-fits-all solution—repentance and nothing else.

While sometimes anxiety does fall into the category of sin (we’ll look at those times in a minute), more often than not, it begins in the realm of what Scripture describes as those things that are “common to man.”

1 Corinthians 10:13 says this, “No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it.”

Much of this study will deal with the last part of that verse, the ways of escape that help us to endure. Today, however, let’s consider those temptations common to man. Many life circumstances fall into this category; here are a couple to help explain this biblical concept.

Ephesians 4:26 instructs us, “Be angry and yet do not sin.” 

Wait a minute… I thought Christians shouldn’t get angry! In fact, James 1:20 clearly says that man’s anger doesn’t produce God’s righteousness. So, how can I, as a Christian, be angry?

The word ‘angry’ in Ephesians 4:26 is the Greek word Orge, which is translated as righteous indignation. Righteous indignation shows up when we are misunderstood, not appreciated, overlooked, or dismissed without reason. Righteous indignation is normal in our homes because we are sinners living together under one roof. In the same way, it is common in our sin-driven world because sinners just don’t play well together.

Orge anger is Common to Man!

Here’s another example to consider. Imagine that you are driving down the road with your husband, and an extremely scantily clad woman is on the sidewalk. Your husband obviously notices the woman. Is he in sin? 

Well, Matthew 5:28 says that everyone who looks at a woman with lustful intent has committed adultery. That’s bad! But has your husband, who just ‘saw’ the woman, sinned?

The answer to that question is NO. Glimpsing an immodest woman is unavoidable in our lost and fallen world. 

It is Common to Man.

Could that passing glance become sin? Sure. If your husband drives around the block to pass the woman again so that he can get a closer look… now we’re in a different (very ugly) category.

That’s how it is with anxiety. Stress, fear, and anxious thoughts are Common to Man (And especially common to women!) Having those thoughts isn’t a sin in and of itself. 

How we deal with anxiety is the determining factor. Do we, in essence, drive around the block to get a closer look at our anxious thoughts? Do we hug them like a teddy bear because they’re all we’ve ever known?

Or, do we use the weapons of warfare God and the Word have given us to win the battle for our minds? I’m excited to walk this journey with you through the Scriptures. Women who have learned to battle their anxious thoughts will have the tools they need to minister to the watching and anxious world surrounding them.

Let’s Go!