False Arguments Justifying Sin

Dylan Stewart

One of Satan’s most effective tactics is convincing people that sin does not really matter. In the very beginning, Satan employed this very strategy by telling Eve, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4), directly contradicting God’s warning about the consequences of disobedience. Satan continues to use the same tactic today by encouraging people to minimize sin, excuse sin, or convince themselves that God will overlook it. Consider several common arguments people use today that demonstrate this mentality.

“Once Saved, Always Saved”

An argument that demonstrates the mentality that sin doesn’t matter is “once saved, always saved.” According to this doctrine, once a person is saved it is impossible for him to ever lose his salvation. While this doctrine may sound comforting, the scriptures repeatedly warn that it is, in fact, very possible for a Christian to lose his salvation.

Peter wrote about those who had “escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” yet later became entangled again in sin. Concerning such people, he said, “The latter end is worse for them than the beginning” (2 Peter 2:20-22). Does that sound like these Christians were still in a saved condition? Similarly, Hebrews 6:4-6 speaks of those who were “once enlightened,” had “tasted the heavenly gift,” and became “partakers of the Holy Spirit,” yet later managed to “fall away.” It sure sounds to me like it is possible for a Christian to “fall away,” doesn’t it? James also instructed Christians that if one among them “wanders from the truth” and someone brings him back, doing so would “save a soul from death” (James 5:19-20). Clearly, James was referring to spiritual death; therefore, “once saved, always saved” is again proven false. These passages make it clear that salvation is not an unconditional guarantee regardless of conduct. No, faithfulness must continue because genuine believers can, indeed, depart from the faith and “fall from grace” (Galatians 5:1-4).

“We Are Under Grace”

Another common excuse used to justify sin is the statement, “We are under grace.” It is certainly true that Christians live under God’s grace rather than the Law of Moses (see Romans 6:14; etc.). Salvation is a gift that no person can earn by his own merit. However, grace was never intended to be used as permission to continue sinning. Paul addressed this very misunderstanding throughout Romans 6. After explaining the abundance of God’s grace, he rhetorically asked, “Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound?” His answer was emphatic: “God forbid!” (Romans 6:1-2, KJV). Later in the chapter, after explaining that Christians are not under law but under grace, Paul would add, “Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Certainly not! Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness? But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered” (Romans 6:15-17). Even being under a covenant of grace, believers must “obey from the heart” in order to be “delivered” from the bondage of sin! Titus 2:11-12 clarifies the purpose of grace. There, Paul wrote, “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age.” Grace does not excuse sin; it trains us to reject it.

“Continual Cleansing”

Another doctrine that is used to minimize sin is the idea known as “continual cleansing.” According to this view, once a person becomes a Christian, repentance when sin is committed is no longer necessary because Christ’s blood – as it is argued – automatically covers all sins without any effort on the part of the believer. However, the account of Simon the Sorcerer demonstrates the clear error in this doctrine. In Acts 8, Simon believed the gospel and was baptized (Acts 8:13); in other words, he became a Christian. Yet, he sinned shortly thereafter due to covetousness by attempting to purchase the power of the Holy Spirit from the apostles. For this grievous sin, Peter rebuked him sharply, saying Simon’s heart was not right before God and warning that he was in “the gall of bitterness and the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:21-23). Peter then commanded this Christian to “repent therefore of this your wickedness, and pray God if perhaps the thought of your heart may be forgiven you” (Acts 8:22). Simon was required to repent and actively seek forgiveness. Why would Peter give these instructions Christ’s blood automatically covers all sins without any effort on the part of the believer?

1 John 1:5-10 explains the proper understanding of continual cleansing. The blood of Christ cleanses Christians so long as “we walk in the light as He is in the light” (1 John 1:7). Thus, true continual cleansing involves diligently walking in the steps of the Savior, seeking to match His perfection – “In Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5). Of course, since no human is perfect (1 John 1:8, 10), we all fail in this endeavor. Thankfully, 1 John 1:9 tells us that walking in the light includes confessing our sins: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” God promises forgiveness to those who humbly acknowledge their failures and repent, but not to those who ignore or excuse their sins.

“Situation Ethics”

Another attitude that minimizes sin is known as “situation ethics.” This philosophy claims that an action normally considered sinful may be acceptable if it produces a good or positive outcome. In other words, the end is used to justify the means. This mindset was exemplified by King Saul in 1 Samuel 15. God commanded Saul to completely destroy the Amalekites and everything belonging to them (1 Samuel 15:3). However, Saul spared the best animals and justified his disobedience by wishing to offer them as sacrifices to the Lord (1 Samuel 15:15). From Saul’s perspective, sacrificing animals to God was a good and noble act of service, yet God still rejected Saul’s reasoning. Through Samuel, God declared, “Has the Lord as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the Lord? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22). Saul’s example demonstrates that no good intention will ever justify disobedience (i.e. sin).

“Little Sins Don’t Matter”

Another common belief is that so-called “little sins” do not matter very much in the grand scheme of things. Many people assume that “small” sins, such as a “white lie,” are insignificant and will not bring serious consequences. Yet, the scriptures repeatedly show how God takes every sin – big and small – very seriously. For example, Adam and Eve were cast out of the Garden of Eden and bore immense physical and spiritual consequences simply for eating a single forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). In another example of what can be considered a very “minor” sin, Lot’s wife lost her life for disobeying God’s instruction by looking back toward Sodom as God destroyed that city (Genesis 19:26). Moses himself was denied entry into the Promised Land all because he struck a rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:7-12). “Little sins don’t matter” – really?!

James summarizes the seriousness of sin with a powerful statement: “Whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10). Although contextually James is making a point about the Law of Moses, the principle is clear – sin is sin to God. Every single act of disobedience – no matter how big or small – places a person in violation of God’s will and, thus, will incur the wrath of God unless he repents (2 Peter 3:9). No sin should ever be dismissed as insignificant.

“It’s Impossible to Not Sin”

Finally, some claim that striving for holiness is unrealistic because “it’s impossible not to sin.” As we have already stated, yes, it is true that human beings are imperfect and sin (1 John 1:8, 10). Even faithful Christians sin. However, acknowledging that we sometimes sin is very different from claiming that sinning is unavoidable. John immediately follows his acknowledgment of human failure with the following command: “My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin” (1 John 2:1). If “it’s impossible not to sin,” then we have been given an impossible command!

Temptations to sin are everywhere around us, but God always provides an avenue for us to resist every single temptation. Paul assures us, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it” (1 Corinthians 10:13). While temptation is real and often very strong, God always provides us a way to overcome it. Is seeing and taking advantage of the way of escape always easy? No! But is it always possible? Yes! Human weakness is very real, but our weaknesses must never become a justification to sin.

Conclusion

The common thread behind all of these arguments is the attempt to make sin seem less serious than it truly is. Whether through false doctrines, excuses, or human reasoning, these ideas ultimately promote the same dangerous message that Satan first proclaimed in the very beginning – that sin will not bring consequences. Yet, as we have demonstrated, that simply could not be further from the truth. Sin always separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Therefore, sin must never be minimized, justified, or excused.