Is Anxiety A Sin?

Understanding Anxiety From a Biblical Perspective

Anxiety in Scripture: Understanding a Biblical Perspective

The First Biblical Account of Anxiety

I think the first time we see an explicit scene of anxiety is in Genesis 4:5. The text tells us that Cain's "face fell" (ESV). This is a Hebrew idiom for anxiety. Now, here's an important question: Does Cain sin because he feels the weight of anxiety? No. In other words, the experience of anxiety itself is NOT sin. However, what we do (or don't do) as a result of unattended anxiety can lead us to sin.

This distinction is crucial for believers today who often conflate emotional distress or doubt with sinfulness. The biblical narrative makes clear that experiencing difficult emotions—even profound anxiety—is part of the human condition due to the fall of mankind, not evidence of spiritual failure.

Jesus Experienced Anxiety

Let's look at a New Testament example. In Luke 22:44, Jesus is in such serious anguish and agony that he sweats blood. The Greek word here ἀγωνίᾳ (agonia) has in mind "distress, anguish, conflict, anxiety" (NIDNTT). So, does Jesus sin because He is in agony? Absolutely not!

This moment in Gethsemane reveals something profound about both Christ's humanity and the nature of anxiety. Jesus—perfect and sinless—experienced extreme emotional distress to the point of hematidrosis (sweating blood), a rare medical condition associated with intense fear and mental anguish. If the sinless Son of God could experience anxiety without it being sinful, this should reshape how we view our own experiences of anxiety.

We Have a Choice

You and I can’t control the emotions we feel. But we can take responsibility for the decisions we make. We can’t control the environments or situations that bring on strong emotions. But we can choose to process those emotions in a way that is healthy for both our mind and our soul. When we look at the examples of both Jesus and Cain we find they both had a choice to make. One choice led to sin. The other choice led to peace in the midst of those emotions.

What does Cain do? He runs away from God and goes to Abel in anger that leads to sin.

What does Jesus do? He goes to God in prayer. And thought the situation doesn’t change, the confident assurance in the Father provides peace.

This contrast provides a template for how we might respond to our own anxiety:

Cain's Choice:

1. Experiences anxiety ("face fell")

2. Refuses God's counsel (Gen 4:6-7)

3. Isolates himself from God's presence

4. Acts out of his unprocessed emotions

5. Commits violence against his brother

6. Faces consequences of his actions

Jesus's Choice:

1. Experiences extreme anxiety ("agony")

2. Seeks the Father in honest prayer

3. Remains in communion with God (peace)

4. Submits His will to the Father's (peace)

5. Faces suffering with divine purpose

6. Fulfills His redemptive mission

Practical Implications for Believers

The reality of anxiety in our lives is not a sin. The question is: what do we do with our anxiety? We should go to God in prayer. And we should also utilize the gifts of common grace (doctors, therapists, psychologists) as a means of God's grace to care for our bodies, emotionally and physically.

When we experience anxiety, we stand at a crossroads similar to Cain and Jesus. We can either:

1. Isolate and act out – Following Cain's example by attempting to manage anxiety through avoidance, anger, or harmful behaviors

2. Connect and surrender – Following Jesus's example by bringing our anxiety honestly before God and seeking appropriate help

The Biblical Balance

Scripture shows us that God's approach to anxiety is neither dismissal ("just pray more") nor identification ("anxiety defines you"). Instead, the biblical narrative demonstrates a nuanced understanding that:

• Acknowledges anxiety as a real human experience

• Distinguishes between feeling anxious and sinful responses to anxiety

• Provides pathways for bringing anxiety to God

• Never shames people for experiencing emotional distress

Even King David, described as a man after God's own heart, wrote extensively about his anxieties in the Psalms. "My heart is in anguish within me; the terrors of death have fallen upon me. Fear and trembling come upon me, and horror overwhelms me" (Psalm 55:4-5). Yet these honest expressions of distress are followed by profound trust: "Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you" (Psalm 55:22).

A Holistic Approach to Anxiety

There is an important aspect of all of this we should really take seriously. There are a variety of ways to cope with honest extreme emotions whether it be anxiety, depression, or grief and sorrow. There are natural methods (going on a walk, exercise, diet) there are therapeutic methods where you talk to a therapist, and there are spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation. Don’t forget, there is also common grace in the wisdom of Doctors who may prescribe medicine to help us on this journey. This isn’t an either/or; but a both/and.

God has provided multiple resources for managing anxiety. Prayer is essential—bringing our concerns directly to our Heavenly Father. However, God also works through medical and psychological interventions. Just as we would see a doctor for a broken bone, seeking professional help for anxiety reflects wisdom, not weakness.

Ultimately, what matters is not whether we experience anxiety, but how we respond to it. Will we follow Cain's path of isolation? Or will we follow Jesus's example of honest prayer, community support, and trusting God even in our most anxious moments?

By understanding these biblical examples, we can approach anxiety with grace—both for ourselves and others—recognizing that while anxiety itself is not sinful, it does require our attention, care, and appropriate response.

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For more resources, check out the podcast - Therapy and Theology that I co-host with Lysa TerKeurst and licensed counselor Jim Cress.