Not A Big Deal

The person who keeps all of the laws except one is as guilty as a person who has broken all of God’s laws.

James 2:10

BIG SINS USUALLY GROW OUT OF SMALL SINS. A movie here, a website there, an inappropriate joke, fudging the numbers—our choices may seem harmless at the time, but they create a pattern, a slippery slope, and sin tends to escalate over time. Too often, we lose the battle against sin from the start because we underestimate its danger and damage. We let little things creep up, and we make excuses such as “It’s not that big a deal.” Before long, our spiritual vision can become blurred so that we don’t recognize sin as sin.

The truth is, every sin—even a small one—is dangerous. Simple math reveals that if, instead of walking a perfectly straight line, you stray a mere one inch for every ten feet of travel and continue on that course for a day’s walk, you’ll wind up about a quarter mile from your intended destination. And that’s just one day’s walk. Continue on that path day after day and you’ll find yourself in a different state, not just a different zip code.

The point is, excusing or failing to deal with sin can establish patterns that become destructive. Not only does it affect our character and our witness, it creates a barrier between us and God. Right now, prayerfully ask God to show you where you’re stepping off His path, and then take the courageous step of committing, with His help, to walk the path of obedience.

BOTTOM LINE

Small compromises can be as dangerous as blatant sins because they can go unnoticed. Don’t miss the opportunity to make adjustments while you can.

Moment of Strength: Proverbs 3:6