Does Sin Bother You?

I know the title of my blog today probably already has you sitting quietly thinking about this question. But on a serious note, does sin bother you? Of course the answer should be yes, but does it? Let me explain.

We live in a culture where the word sin doesn’t mean much and is taken lightly. But according to the Bible sin means doing something wrong in the eyes of God. For each one of us that’s going to look different. Sin means having a jealous spirit. Not forgiving someone. Being dishonest with our money. Lusting after money and people. Wanting power and the list goes on and on.

But when we sin, and when we are convicted of sin, does it bother you?

This is what happened to King Josiah in 2 Kings 22. He asked men to repair the temple and while they were fixing the temple the secretary found the Book of the Law. The secretary read the Book of the Law in front of King Josiah. When King Josiah heard the words of God he was convicted of the sins of his ancestors. He was so troubled he tore his robes. Back then, when someone teared their robes it was an indication of deep grief and conviction of sin. After Josiah tore his robe, he then asked the men to go find someone who would give them a word so that he would know what to do next.

When we hear the word of God and are convicted of sin, do we have that kind of reaction? Is there this deep pain in our lives? Do we go back to inquire of God?

This past week I was going to the coffee shop and they were having a promotion of buy over four dollars and get an additional 40 points. Typically, you would get 10 points. After purchasing my items, I checked my app and there was only 10 points not the additional 40. At this point, I contacted the company and mentioned the mistake and then they corrected it. Everything was good until the next day. The next day I noticed that my app showed I had an additional 50 points. I thought, wait a second why do I now have 100 points? I stared at my phone. What should I do? Some people reading this story would say you do nothing it’s their mistake. But I sat there convicted. Now I had an additional 50 points that did not belong to me. I reached out to the company and showed them the mistake. I said I’ve received additional 50 points please deduct it.

Why did I do that? Because I was convicted that my silence would be dishonest. I needed to make things right. Do we have that same kind of feeling when we have sinned or feel convicted?

After Josiah inquired of the Lord the prophetess Huldah explained disaster was going to come on their people but she told him that he would be spared and be buried in peace. Josiah was being rewarded by God for humbling himself before him. God was responding to his deep conviction and heart of repentance. I think this is a wonderful example of what happens when we communicate to God. God does not want us to sin. He wants our life to be blessed and be spared of trouble.

Sin should not be taken lightly. It should be taken seriously. Just like how a rock is thrown in the river and you see a ripple effect. Or cancer in the body that starts up in one area can quickly spread so it is with sin in our lives. Once we engage in sin, it can quickly overtake other areas in our life. Why not make peace with God right now and repent of our sins and ask him for forgiveness?

Sin bothered God so much so that he was willing to die on the cross for our sins by sending his Son, Jesus Christ, to take up the cross and pay the penalty for our sin. If our God loved us that much and sin bothered him that much that he was willing to die for us, shouldn’t it bother us as well?

I believe it does. I believe we know what we need to do. Now is the time to repent. Now is the time to grieve. Now is the time to let the Holy Spirit take full control so that we overcome our temptations so that we don’t enter into sin.

Let us lift up this prayer to God.

Dear Jesus. I am a sinner. I am thankful that you died on the cross for my sins. I am thankful that the Holy Spirit lives in me to live a holy and pleasing life to you. Help me each day to look to you. Not to look left or right but to keep my eyes on you. Help me to study your word. Help me to practice your word. Help me to show love to others. And help me to be a light. In the areas I struggle with give me extra grace so that I can overcome. In Jesus name amen.

To watch the full sermon on this topic please click here.