ARE WE COMPLACENT ABOUT SIN?

Mike Johnson

Many years ago, my wife and I moved into a house close to a well-traveled train track, which trains traveled on throughout the night. At first, the whistles from the trains woke us up. Before long, however, the passing trains rarely disturbed our sleep as we grew accustomed to the noise. Similarly, many people, to their detriment, become complacent about sin.

The Bible teaches we are to have an intolerant approach toward sin. For example, Romans 12:9 says that we are to “abhor” (hate) what is evil, and we are to “cling” to what is good. I Peter 3:10-11 points out we are to “turn away from” evil and “do good,” and I Thessalonians 5:22 says we are to “abstain from every form” of evil. We should not want any part of evil or sin if we hate it.

The practice of sin is prevalent around us. Songs with unwholesome themes play on the radio. Television and movie theaters have much foul language, sex, and various forms of immorality, and these mediums portray sin as acceptable. The internet has opened up another avenue for sin. When we choose this type of entertainment, we are first disturbed by what we see. However, in time, we can grow complacent toward sin, and before long, we begin to engage in it. The tendency is to, at first, oppose sin, then tolerate it, and finally, endorse or embrace it. We must avoid this digressive process and never lose our hatred and disgust for sin.