Time Out (by Jerry Schmoyer)

It’s not hard to figure out that “little” sins can be a lot more tempting than “big” sins, simply because they just don’t seem so bad. Gossip can be a lot more tempting than murder, because it just doesn’t seem to be nearly as “wrong.” But the bible tells us that harming a person’s reputation is as bad as harming their body. The Jews certainly saw it that way.

When Adam was tempted to take one little bite of fruit it wasn’t like he was denying the virgin birth or claiming to be an atheist. It was just a little taste – no big deal. Or was it? Clearly it was a big deal to God! Didn’t He understand that it wasn’t that big a sin – no one was getting hurt, they didn’t mean to harm anyone, and there was the peer pressure factor. But in God’s eyes sin is sin. Despite Satan’s lies and deception all sin is sin. God required total disobedience. Valuing some sins as worse than others just makes it easier to commit the “lesser” sins. Satan counts on us seeing some things God forbids as not so very bad – or he wouldn’t have such an easy time getting us to commit them.

What sins do you see as not so terrible? Those are probably the very sins you most often commit. When we see all sin as what it is – something Jesus had to suffer for on the cross, then we can better resist and obey in all things. Watch out for those “little” sins – they are the most dangerous and deadly of all. And remember, they don’t stay little – they grow and grow!

Scripture
Psalms 139:23-24, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”

Psalms 26:2-3, “Test me, O Lord , and try me, examine my heart and my mind; for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth.”

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

Reflect

• Do any “little” sins that you haven’t dealt with come to mind as you think about these things? Take a few moments to admit they are sin (confess them).
• Sit quietly waiting for God to show you any other ‘little’ sins that may be in your life. What would knows who know you best say? Repent of them and ask God to help you have victory over them.
• Be alert all day to anything that you may have considered as “little” but see how it really is in God’s sight.

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Jerry Schmoyer has been a minister in Pennsylvania for over 25 years and has worked with teenagers for 14 years, ever since I became one myself. He authors the weekly Time Out series here at Life in Student Ministry in hopes to spiritually refresh your soul as you continually pour so much of yourself into students. God bless!

Posted on September 28, 2008