Justifying Sin

Sin seems to be on my mind pretty regularly these days.   Obviously we all sin and even acknowledge our sin most times, but what’s interesting, is how we all justify it.   When we justify sin, in my opinion, it’s a blatant disregard for God.  We are pretty much saying, we don’t need Him and that Jesus dying on that cross for our sins, was for nothing.  When we justify sin, we do it because we want what WE want, and not what God wants.  You know, being selfish, as usual.

My heart holds much conviction about certain things;  things that affect me, my family, and my friends.  And because of this, I struggle with how to deal with my own sin…….and the sin of others.  Maybe you can’t relate, but maybe you can?   I’m really bad about comparing sin.  You know, like, I drink way too much soda (when I know it’s not good for my body), but it’s not as bad as, say, alcohol…..right?  Justifying sin.

So why is it so hard to be good?  God did make each of us unique, but we are also to be of the fruit of the Spirit.

Galatians 5:22-23 “But when the Holy Spirit controls our lives, he will produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Here there is no conflict with the law.”

God asks us to change and put off sin, not make excuses for it.   When WE control our flesh, Satan boldly and creatively slithers his way in and justifies our sins.  But when we allow the Lord to work through us, we can choose to change how we sin, and how we deal with sin.   We need to constantly ‘inspect’ the fruit so that it doesn’t get rotten.

I pray that God will continue to lay conviction on my heart on things He wants changed.   I pray that the conviction is so heavy and undeniable, that my only choice will be to change into what He wants me to be.

Ephesians 4:20-25 “But that isn’t what you were taught when you learned about Christ. Since you have heard all about him and have learned the truth that is in Jesus, throw off your old evil nature and your former way of life, which is rotten through and through, full of lust and deception. Instead, there must be a spiritual renewal of your thoughts and attitudes. You must display a new nature because you are a new person, created in God’s likeness — righteous, holy, and true. So put away all falsehood and “tell your neighbor the truth” because we belong to each other.”