Our trash can was stolen last night. It seems humorous to me that anyone would go so far as to steal someone’s garbage bin. If someone stole my wallet, my laptop, or my T.V., I wouldn’t be as surprised (though I’d be much more frustrated). But our garbage can? Really?
Allow me to make a spiritual application. Oftentimes we categorize sin on a scale of being anywhere from ‘really bad’ to ‘not so bad.’ For example, we may excuse ourselves when we commit a ‘little’ sin, such as telling a small white lie, yet we can be quick to criticize the ‘larger’ sins that others make because they have higher consequences. We tend to view a ‘harmless’ act of sin, such as stealing a dirty trash can, as being a lesser sin, compared to a sin that negatively effects someone else, like stealing someone’s Porsche or murdering someone.
True, society does place a higher weight of punishment on the latter examples. If we measure sin based upon how society measures sin, then some sins are obviously greater than others. However, Christians must view sin differently than the world. Sin, any sin, is a serious matter, because sin is “lawlessness” (1 Jn. 3:4). All sin separates us from God (Rom. 3:23), and spiritual damnation is a result (Rom. 6:23, Jam. 1:15).
Minimizing the seriousness of some sins compared to others can be a dangerous mindset. Sins that we minimize are called “presumptuous sins” because they are presumed to be not very bad. Here are some examples:
- Worshipping God in a way He has not prescribed, because we enjoy our way better than His way. God wants us to enjoy ourselves, right?
- Divorcing you spouse and marrying someone else, because it makes you “happier.” After all, God wants us to be happy, right?
- Skipping a church service or activity because you’re “tired” or want to watch a ball game. God understands that we went to bed late, or that we’ve been waiting six months to see a particular ball game, doesn’t He?
- Viewing pornography. It isn’t hurting anyone else, is it? Besides, God made you that way, didn’t He?
The Bible is full of examples of God’s powerful response to man’s presumptuous sins. God hates sin, all sin, regardless of how bad the sin is viewed by society or popular opinion. What carries more weight to you: the opinion of God or the opinion of the world? Let each of us pray the prayer of David (Psa. 19:13, ESV):
“Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me! Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression.”
