Although there are a myriad of sins, all sin can be very easily grouped into two distinct categories: sins of commission (that which is enacted willingly though we know it is wrong) and sins of omission (those which occur when we refuse or fail to act and do what we know is right). In God’s eyes, one group is no better than the other and each is just as wrong.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, the priest and Levite who passed by the man beaten up by robbers are examples of committing sin by “omission;” because they didn’t do what they should have done in the moment. By refusing to stop and help the poor man who was injured, they “omitted” an opportunity to get involved and do what God expected of them: to show love, mercy, and compassion towards one another.