From the rooftop of his palace, King David made what was seemingly a small decision to allow his gaze to linger upon the bathing Bathsheba. But that “small” decision became sin that eventually led to his murder of Bathsheba’s husband, Uruiah. Uruiah was a valiant and loyal warrior in David’s army. Further, his sin led to the death of David’s very own child. My friend, there are no “small” sins. In fact, we are all just one “small” sin away from tragedy and, thus, must be on guard about even THINKING about what we know tempts us! The Bible warns:
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.”
James 1:14-15
Consider two critical reasons to beware of thinking that ANY sin is SMALL. The first and most obvious is that the most horrific crimes began—with a thought. One thought gives birth to more thoughts which eventually can turn into a burning desire. As it is fed MORE thoughts, the desire burns brighter and becomes an action. This is true with Ted Bundy, Jeffrey Epstein, and it’s true with you and me. But maybe you say, “well I’m not Bundy or Epstein!” But my friend…I doubt Bundy or Epstein committed the first “small” sin with the idea of how far they would take things by the end of it.
The greatest tragedies are birthed when we think ANY sin is small!
The second reason to beware of minimizing any sin—is equally horrible—but likely less obvious: We must consider the great cost Jesus paid for ALL sin. He had to die to redeem us from our—evil thoughts, unforgiveness, gluttony, prayerlessness—just like he did for the crimes Bundy committed. To think otherwise is to display an unfathomable ungratefulness and cheapening of Christ’s sacrifice. Yes, we tend to justify “small” sins because we don’t think they’re hurting anyone else. But is JESUS “no one?” All of the most heinous sin in my life—began with a thought or action that I believed “didn’t hurt anyone else.”
Jesus gave His life to redeem us from ALL sin—and thus, if we regard ANY sin as small—we trample on His sacrifice!
If we want to avoid the tragedy of sin—we must make a PLAN to avoid temptation. We must know our weaknesses—that is, our sin of choice. We must also develop a plan to supplant evil thoughts with something good. Finally, we must ask God to take away the desire for our sin of choice and help us adopt a good habit that will help us stay close to Him. Then, when we are tempted to make a bad decision, our respect and love for God is what keeps us from even those “small” sins–like looking where we shouldn’t. When King David looked at Bathsheba, he probably never fathomed that his “small” sin would lead to such an extremely painful end. I often note my areas of temptation and make a plan to avoid them. I want to know the enemy that lives within, that is, my flesh and mount my counter-offensive.
- Am I slothful? Then make a plan to be busy.
- Do I neglect prayer? Make a commitment to pray.
- Do I tend to overeat? Make a meal plan.
- Do I neglect God’s Word? Make a plan to read.
Do I tend to fill my mind with radio, television, books or social media that are not glorifying to God? Make a plan to listen, watch, read something that draws me into His presence.
Some of the greatest self-care I do—is knowing my weaknesses (sins of choice) and making a plan to avoid them!
God has an amazing plan for each of us!
Remember, NO sin EVER brings us closer to God because “God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.”(1 John 1:5) It is impossible for us to walk in darkness and be close to God. The Bible says: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.” (1 John 1:6)
God created us to walk in light; and—there is no pleasure we find in darkness that compares with His presence.
We would love to hear your thoughts about this devotional. Did God speak to you or challenge your daily walk with him? Or is there a topic that you would like Kimberly to cover or expound on? Please share with us in the comments below.
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