The sixth question is:
Although we know there is no small sin because all sin is sin, what do you think is the most common (what might be called) "small" sin that unbelievers and/or Christians excuse as inconsequential?
Can you share an example of when allowing a "small" sin in your life opened the door for more or greater sin?
You'll
find below the responses given to this
sixth question. I did not comment on or change
any comments and each writer is responsible for their own opinions. I'm sorry
that I can't take the time to pass along any comments you'd like to make to
individuals about their postings. And there is not an opportunity in this
setting for responding to any of these comments.
But
I hope you'll enjoy and benefit from hearing about other people's comments on
this question.
"Exaggeration" is one of those
subtle, sabotaging sins that seems so small at first but then persists until
before you know it has spread its ugly tentacles everywhere. It overstates the
truth or presents a situation that is not exactly correct. I faced many parents
in 31 years of teaching about the problems of their children. I didn't want to
discourage but to encourage by presenting a plan for growth and improvement.
However, it's a slippery slope and I wanted to be positive yet truthful. A half
truth is still not truth. As Christians we want to portray Christ-like
qualities. I prayed many times before Parent Conferences that I could present
the situation truthfully but with hope and positive regard. I want to be
truthful with compassion, not exaggeration.
Joan C.
My immediate reaction to this question
is Jesus’ answer to the young ruler who asked which was the greatest
commandment of all: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart,
with all your mind, with all your soul, and with all your strength, and you
shall love your neighbor as yourself.” He then went on to say that all the Law
and the prophets hang on these two commandments. Throughout the thirty-plus
years I’ve walked with the Lord I’ve wrestled with many sins—some
“big,” some not so big—but the most freeing words the Lord ever spoke to
my heart were these: “The sin is never about what you do or don’t do; the
sin is always in not loving Me enough.” That settled it for me. Now any sin of
any size, shape, or color is too big because I know it’s all about not loving
God enough, and I also know that my lack of love breaks His heart as well as
mine. And that’s what enables me to refuse temptation and turn to Him….
Kathi M.
It seems that most believers tend to forget that complaining is a sin.
We often excuse it with the justification that we're sharing a burden or a
prayer request. Sometimes we try to validate the complaint because it is a
truth, an injustice or unfairness. While I'm sure the Lord knows our hearts and
gave us our feelings, He also wants them to be taken captive to the obedience of
Christ just as He does our thoughts.
I've noticed in my own life that when I begin to complain, even if I am
right, the issue looms even larger and my frustration turns to anger,
resentment, bitterness. It's very easy to become self-righteous when complaining
about something that is real. The Lord reminds me that I do not understand all
His ways, but that He does all things well. He is trustworthy. He is able. He is
perfect. Regardless of who is right or wrong in the situation the most important
thing is for me to totally trust Him and rely on Him even when I don't like the
outcome or answer.
Often times our complaints are against fellow brothers and sisters in
Christ. It is at that point the door opens to Satan and the accuser of the brethren steps in. We can so easily see
ourselves as upright in a situation and the other as taking advantage, having a
bad attitude, being divisive, etc. Yet our accusations (even when right) simply
help bring further division to the body. Christ was very clear that unity was of
the utmost importance to Him. Unity at all costs. I'm not speaking of
compromising on spiritual issues or scriptural truths. I am speaking of allowing
the differences to be just that, differences. What is essential is that we are
united in Jesus Christ -- worshiping Him, serving Him, sharing Him, glorifying
Him, obeying Him.
How
often do we take time to berate one another when we could be sharing the gospel,
ministering to the poor, exhorting one who is down, or spending time in worship?
Complaining is truly a waste of time. I do take my "complaints" to the
Lord and ask Him to help me leave them there. It's not easy...but when I
remember that He satisfies the diligent, He grants the desires of the upright,
He gives good things to the righteous -- it is easy to leave everyone else to
Him. After all who am I to judge what I see? I do not see everything. And this
is what I need to remember - the Lord judges every secret thing and that also
applies to me.
Kim H.
The "small" sin that comes to mind is the vicious instrument -- the tongue. Amazing damage is wrought by this tiny "member," and it is so simple to use! A slight inflection gives words hidden meaning and starts a gossip snowball that can't be stopped. Likewise, the tongue can be employed to verbally whip someone's self-esteem to shreds. And then, of course, there is general lying. The tongue is capable of multi-faceted sin. It is a versatile weapon Satan uses with skill.
Avarice: What a great word. Yet,
we want to eliminate it from our thoughts. I, for one, will not let benign
neglect set in on such a wonderful word.
You might ask how one of the seven deadly sins can be a great word and
you would be right in doing so. My answer is: it's descriptive and clear. It
even sounds a bit like what it means (it doesn't hold a candle to
tintinnabulation, but it’s close).
Its Latin root of greedy is only part of its meaning. That's important
for me to understand. I can slip right around greedy and justify my avarice with
tokens and gifts to others. But to understand that avarice also means a 'passion
for riches' is a little more striking. It’s like understanding that money is
not the root of all evil, but that the love
of money is the root of all evil. Does 'a passion for riches' describe me
accurately?
How about miserly and covetous? I normally only associate covetousness
with immorality, but to covet the things of others is avarice as truly as
coveting their wife or husband. And how many of us haven't seen the ad where the
T5 computer (who doesn't want the latest, biggest and best) becomes outdated by
the T6 computer before the guy gets it home? I contend the majority of our
economy is based upon this concept of avarice.
But miserly? Perhaps I've gone too far...nah, never. Miserly means to
save or hoard in an avaricious fashion. What percentage of my income do I hoard
(store away for safeguarding for future use)? At last count a full 17-18%!! But
that's only reasonable, you say. You have to put away for the future and make
sure that you're taken care of when you're old. Only a fool would not worry
about living to be a hundred years old and having enough money to make it!
I ask, who created that rule? I’m pretty sure it was those who did not
wish to share what they had. The 'I've got mine, now go get yours' phenomenon
has captured our thoughts and shaped our future.
I'm searching scripture, here, trying to see where Christ talked about
this philosophy of avaricious living as a means to gaining the kingdom. Uh...I
don't find it. If you do, let me know.
There are some really nasty connotations to this word, too; like stingy.
Stingy means extremely selfish or penurious. Penurious; another great word
meaning to yield little or excessively sparing in the use of money. I could get
around this word, too, if it didn't have that catchy little association with
miserly, hoarding and avarice.
Do you see where this word goes? It goes to the heart of our lives and
most sadly, to the heart of our relationships. With our passion for riches,
excessive selfishness, penurious giving and covetous approach to the possessions
of others; we're all wrapped up in avarice. We have no room for love or for
others. There is certainly no room for servanthood or compassion. Yet, I don't
seem to consider this word very often. Perhaps, it’s too descriptive or maybe,
we just don't want to see how far we've 'progressed' in our walk with Christ.
Shalom, Jonah
The "small" sin I see most in
people is placing ourselves on the throne of our own lives. We make ourselves an
idol as we deny the need for God in an area of our lives. I have done this
myself as I have perceived that I had to take care of myself and didn't allow
God to be my provider. My body has suffered the consequences of trying to take
care of myself and not allowing myself to rest in God's provision for me. Being
my own provider, which is just like a wood or stone idol, totally unable to help
me, is no small sin. But it's very hard to see that as sin in our lives, because
most of us have been taught to be self sufficient. As we confess this sin and invite
the Lord into this place, He is gracious and ready to forgive us and
re-claim that area of our lives and establish Himself there as Lord.
Ker
I
think the sin I “excuse” most often is driving over the speed limit—five
to ten miles. Even when I curtail the desire and obey the law, I hope that other
drivers will get ticketed, because they are doing what I want to do. I’m
saying as they speed by, “See you on the side of the road.”
This is not obeying the Lord and it is not showing His grace toward
others. It is indulging in an attitude of rebellion. He wants our total
obedience—not just refraining from the sin and then resenting it.
Jan Marie
In
my opinion the two most outstanding sins in the Christian (that nobody shakes
their finger at) are the "Me Do IT" syndrome and Gluttony. Probably
the most common sin is bad thoughts about another or a fantasizing.
Gluttony causes obesity and finally death. Food becomes an ALL involving
god.
A bad thought can turn into bitterness and hurtful stuff can spew out all
over others AND cause people to miss heaven in the long run.
God wants our WHOLE lives, including our will but we must choose to give
up our will to Him. He wants us to depend completely on Him. Not try to do
"it" (life) on our own.
Results of fanaticizing can tear up families. Any sin committed with
knowledge or NOT can open the door to Satan to play havoc in our lives. I have
probably done them all...plus things not mentioned here. God is forgiving. And
when we are truly, repentant all is used for our good... learning and growing in
Him...
Linda
Lying.
Unfortunately, we excuse a "little white lie" but it can turn into a
web of deceit and lies that we never bargained for. For instance, to sound
important to some people one day I said I knew a particular high ranking
official but I didn't. I stood around with the group and they told funny stories
about this person and "remember when" stories and I played right along
with them. As time went on I was invited to attend different gatherings and
dinners with this group of people because they thought I was in the same social
circles because of this mutual acquaintance. Then came the day of my lie being
exposed when he joined us for dinner. I was embarrassed to say the least and
realized that I had let the Lord down because I thought the way to be important
was to lie my way into a group of people that I didn't need to be a part of to
start off with. I have decided it is better to be truthful and that lying is not
a small sin that can be excused as inconsequential.
Brenda
A small very common sin might be lying, which could go from white lies to darker
ones in a hurry. My example is an excuse I gave for not doing something with a
boyfriend when I was young. I lied and told him I was going to the dentist.
Instead I was going out with another friend. He came to see me, bearing sympathy
and saw me on the way to the train station with no sign of a
toothache, instead quite jolly. Mortification! I have never forgotten that day.
It was a white lie that
grew so ugly and dark. It was the end of our friendship and he never forgave me.
Are these small sins meant as huge lessons for us? That happened many,
many years ago. I never forgot it.
Sylvie