Respectable Sins

1. All Believers are "Saints" Called to Act Like It

Although it sounds awkward in English, we could literally rewrite Paul’s words as “to those separated in Christ Jesus, called to be separated ones.”

A New Identity. The term "saint" (Greek: hagios) in the Bible doesn't describe exceptional character or achievement, but a state of being: "one who is separated unto God." Every believer, regardless of maturity or past struggles, is a saint—set apart by God for God, bought by Christ's blood to be His own possession. This transformation is a supernatural work of the Holy Spirit, giving us a "new heart."

The Daily Struggle. While we are made new creations, the outworking of this change is not instantaneous or absolute; it's a progressive journey, never complete in this life. The "flesh" (sinful nature) still wages a daily "guerrilla warfare" against the Spirit within us. This internal struggle means that even saints can exhibit sinful attitudes and actions, as seen in the Corinthian church.

Live Your Calling. Paul's exhortations to believers can be summarized as "You are saints. Now act like saints!" Our conduct should align with our new state of being. "Conduct unbecoming a saint" is simply sin, covering everything from gossip to murder. We must recognize that even our subtle, "respectable" sins are inconsistent with our calling and are serious in God's eyes.

2. Sin's Reality: A Malignancy Often Ignored

The acceptable sins are subtle in the sense that they deceive us into thinking they are not so bad, or not thinking of them as sins, or even worse, not even thinking about them at all!

The Disappearance of Sin. The concept of sin has largely vanished from modern culture, replaced by softer terms like "affair" or "fraud." Sadly, this softening has infiltrated many churches, where sin is often deflected to "outsiders" committing flagrant acts, while "respectable" sins among believers are ignored. This leads to a dangerous denial of personal sin, even among morally upright Christians.

Sin as Malignancy. Sin is a spiritual cancer, a "malignancy" that, if unchecked, spreads throughout our inner being and contaminates every area of life, even metastasizing to others through our words and actions. It's a principle within us, the "flesh," that wages war against our souls. This subtle nature of sin makes it treacherous, deceiving us into minimizing its severity or overlooking it entirely.

Cosmic Treason. All sin, regardless of how minor it seems to us, is serious in God's eyes. It is "lawlessness," a complete disregard for God's moral will. More profoundly, sin is cosmic treason:

• It despises God's law and, by extension, God Himself.
• It grieves the Holy Spirit, our heavenly Father.
• It presumes on God's grace, tolerating the very sin that nailed Christ to the cross.
  Every sinful thought, word, and deed is done openly in God's presence, an assault on His infinite majesty.

3. The Gospel: Our Daily Remedy for Sin's Guilt and Power

Both John Newton and Paul spoke of themselves as sinners in the present tense. Neither of them said I was; they said I am.

A Great Savior for Great Sinners. The gospel is not just for unbelievers; it's a daily necessity for believers who, despite being saints, are still practicing sinners. It's the "double cure" for sin, cleansing us from both its guilt and its power. This daily appropriation of the gospel is vital for:

• Plowing the heart: Helping us see and acknowledge our sin without self-righteousness.
• Freedom to confess: Assuring us that our sin is forgiven, enabling honest confession.
• Motivation to change: Encouraging us with God's love and gratitude for Christ's sacrifice.

Christ's Twofold Work. God's forgiveness of our sins is absolute, based on Christ's atoning death. He no longer counts our sin against us because it was charged to Christ. Furthermore, Christ's perfect righteousness is credited to us. This means:

• No condemnation: "There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1).
• Righteous standing: We are accepted as righteous by God because of Christ's sinless life and sin-bearing death.
  This assurance frees us to confront our sins, knowing God is for us, not against us.

Empowered by the Spirit. While we are delivered from sin's dominion decisively at salvation, freedom from its remaining presence and activity is progressive. This ongoing battle is won by "walking by the Spirit," living under His controlling influence and in dependence on His power. The Holy Spirit:

• Convicts: Helps us see our subtle sins for what they truly are.
• Enables: Empowers us to "put to death the deeds of the body" (Romans 8:13).
• Works monergistically: Transforms us even without our conscious involvement.
• Uses circumstances: Orchestrates events to challenge us and promote spiritual growth.

4. Ungodliness: The Root of All Respectable Sins

Ungodliness may be defined as living one’s everyday life with little or no thought of God, or of God’s will, or of God’s glory, or of one’s dependence on God.

More Basic Than Wickedness. Ungodliness is distinct from unrighteousness (sinful actions). It's an attitude toward God, a spiritual indifference where God is essentially irrelevant in daily life. Many morally decent people, even churchgoers, live ungodly lives by seldom thinking of God's presence, will, or their dependence on Him. This subtle disregard for God is a pervasive "acceptable" sin among believers.

God-Centered Living. The biblical standard of godliness calls for a life lived consciously in God's presence, with every activity aimed at pleasing and glorifying Him. Paul's prayer for the Colossians (Colossians 1:9-10) and his instruction to slaves (Colossians 3:22-24) highlight this God-centeredness. Even mundane acts like eating or driving should be done "to the glory of God" (1 Corinthians 10:31), reflecting a desire for God to be pleased and honored before others.

Cultivating Godliness. Our meager desire for an intimate relationship with God is a telling indicator of ungodliness. To combat this root sin, we must "train ourselves for godliness" (1 Timothy 4:7) with commitment, consistency, and discipline. This involves:

• Conscious awareness: Living every moment in God's presence.
• Identifying blind spots: Recognizing areas where we live without regard for God (work, hobbies, driving).
• Scripture and prayer: Memorizing and praying over verses like 1 Corinthians 10:31 and Psalm 139:1-4.

5. Anxiety, Frustration, Discontentment, and Unthankfulness are Sins Against God's Sovereignty

So when I give way to anxiety, I am, in effect, believing that God does not care for me and that He will not take care of me in the particular circumstance that triggers my anxiety of the moment.

Anxiety as Distrust. Jesus explicitly commands us not to be anxious (Matthew 6:25-34; Philippians 4:6). Anxiety is sin because it signifies a distrust of God's care and a lack of acceptance of His providence. It's an affront to God, implying He doesn't love or care for us. Instead of fretting, we are called to cast our anxieties on Him, trusting His sovereign control and accepting His agenda, even when it differs from our own.

Frustration as Ungodliness. Frustration, often akin to anger, arises when our plans are blocked. It's rooted in ungodliness, as we fail to recognize God's invisible hand behind the immediate causes. Quoting Psalm 139:16 ("All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be") helps to remember that every circumstance is part of God's plan, intended for His glory and our good.

Discontentment as Sin. Sinful discontentment stems from ongoing, unchanging difficult circumstances (e.g., unfulfilling job, singleness, physical disabilities). It's a failure to accept God's providential will, treating these situations as normal reactions rather than sin. True peace comes not from resignation, but from acceptance—trusting God's wisdom and love in all circumstances, and seeking to glorify Him through them.

Unthankfulness as Disregard. Taking God's temporal and spiritual blessings for granted is an "acceptable" sin. Our entire lives should be continuous thanksgiving, acknowledging that "God himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything" (Acts 17:25). Failure to give thanks is a violation of the greatest commandment (loving God) and an affront to our Creator. Paul commands us to "give thanks always and for everything" (Ephesians 5:20) and "in all circumstances" (1 Thessalonians 5:18), even difficult ones, by faith in God's promise to work all things for our good (Romans 8:28-29).

6. Pride: The Subtle Enemy Within

One of the problems with pride is that we can see it in others but not in ourselves.

God Opposes the Proud. Pride is a pervasive and subtle sin, often hiding behind seemingly virtuous facades. James and Peter warn that "God opposes the proud" (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). We must humbly ask God to reveal the pride in our lives, as it's often a blind spot.

Forms of Pride:

• Moral Self-Righteousness: Feeling morally superior to others, especially those committing "flagrant" sins. This leads to contempt, as seen in Jesus' parable of the Pharisee. We must remember "there but for the grace of God go I" and identify with society's sin, like Ezra.
• Doctrinal Pride: Believing our doctrinal views are superior, leading to disdain for those with different convictions. Paul rebuked the Corinthians for knowledge that "puffs up" (1 Corinthians 8:1). We should hold convictions humbly, respecting others.
• Pride of Achievement: Boasting in our own or our children's successes without acknowledging God as the ultimate source of all ability, talent, and opportunity (1 Corinthians 4:7; Deuteronomy 8:17-18). This also includes an inordinate desire for recognition, forgetting that we are "unworthy servants" (Luke 17:10).
• Independent Spirit: Resistance to authority, especially spiritual, and an unteachable attitude. This is contrary to biblical calls for submission (Hebrews 13:17) and teachability (Proverbs).

Confronting Pride. To combat pride, we must cultivate humility, recognizing that all we have and achieve is by God's grace. We should identify with the sins of our society, hold our convictions with humility, and acknowledge God as the source of all success. Asking trusted friends or family for honest feedback on our prideful tendencies, and responding with humility, is crucial for growth.

7. Selfishness and Lack of Self-Control Fuel Many "Acceptable" Sins

Selfishness is a difficult sin to expose because it is so easy to see in someone else but so difficult to recognize in ourselves.

The Pervasive Nature of Selfishness. Selfishness is an innate part of our fallen nature, manifesting subtly even in believers. It's a "lover of self" (2 Timothy 3:1-5), prioritizing our own desires over others. This sin is often a blind spot, requiring the Holy Spirit's conviction and the honest feedback of others.

Expressions of Selfishness:

• Interests: Being so engrossed in our own affairs (grandchildren, work, hobbies) that we show little genuine interest in others, leading to one-sided conversations.
• Time: Guarding our time for our own ends, reluctance to help others, or unduly imposing on others' time. This neglects the call to "bear one another’s burdens" (Galatians 6:2).
• Money: Despite living in the wealthiest nation, Americans (including evangelicals) are often stingy, giving little to charitable causes and accumulating debt. This reflects a worldly focus on earthly things rather than serving God (Matthew 6:24).
• Inconsiderateness: Failing to consider the impact of our actions on others (lateness, loud phone calls, leaving messes). This also includes indifference to others' feelings, leading to rudeness or harshness.

Lack of Self-Control: A Vulnerability. A lack of self-control is like a "city broken into and left without walls" (Proverbs 25:28), leaving us vulnerable to temptations. It's a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), requiring constant conflict with the flesh and dependence on the Holy Spirit. Areas where Christians often lack self-control include:

• Eating and Drinking: Continually indulging desires for certain foods or drinks, allowing them to control us.
• Temper: Hot-temperedness or a "short fuse," easily becoming angry or irritable, with little control over emotions.
• Personal Finances: Spending beyond means, accumulating debt, or indulging desires even when affordable, rather than being good stewards.

8. Impatience, Irritability, and Anger Poison Relationships

The actual cause of our impatience lies within our own hearts, in our own attitude of insisting that others around us conform to our expectations.

Impatience and Irritability. These closely related sins are often exhibited most freely within families. Impatience is a strong annoyance at others' unintentional faults, often expressed humiliatingly. Irritability describes the frequency and ease of becoming impatient over slight provocations. These are not merely "normal reactions" but sins, stemming from our insistence that others conform to our expectations. Paul lists patience as a fruit of the Spirit and a virtue to be cultivated (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12).

Sinful Anger. While righteous anger exists, most of our anger is sinful. It's a strong feeling of displeasure and antagonism, often accompanied by hurtful words and actions. Our anger is never caused by others; their actions merely occasion it. The true cause lies within us:

• Pride: When our reputation is questioned or we feel mistreated.
• Selfishness: When we don't get our way or seek to control others.
• Retaliation: Responding to another's anger with our own, whether outwardly or through inward resentment.
  Peter instructs us to respond to unjust treatment "mindful of God," trusting His sovereign control and purpose for our growth (1 Peter 2:18-20).

The Noxious Weeds of Anger. Unresolved anger is spiritually dangerous, sprouting into "noxious weeds" that poison our minds and relationships. These include:

• Resentment: Anger held on to, often internalized, nursing wounds.
• Bitterness: Resentment that grows into ongoing animosity, refusing true forgiveness.
• Enmity/Hostility: Openly expressed ill will, often through denigrating speech.
• Grudge: Deep animosity, often associated with plans for revenge (Romans 12:19-21).
• Strife: Open conflict between parties, often fueled by self-righteousness.
  Paul commands, "Do not let the sun go down on your anger" (Ephesians 4:26), urging swift resolution.

Dealing with Anger. To combat anger and its weeds:

• Acknowledge and repent: Recognize anger as sin and confess its roots (pride, selfishness).
• Sovereignty of God: Believe God allows difficult situations for our good and Christlikeness (Genesis 45:8; Romans 8:28).
• Cultivate love: Love "covers a multitude of sins" and "is not easily angered" (1 Peter 4:8; 1 Corinthians 13:5).
• Forgive: Forgive others as God has forgiven us, remembering our immense debt to Him (Matthew 18:21-35).
• No anger toward God: Momentary flashes of anger at God are sin; we must humbly bring our confusion to Him, trusting His love and wisdom.

9. Judgmentalism and Sins of the Tongue Tear Down, Not Build Up

Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another. It is before his own master that he stands or falls.

Judgmentalism: Playing God. Judgmentalism is a subtle sin, often disguised as zeal for righteousness. It arises when we equate our personal opinions (on dress, music, lifestyle, politics) with biblical truth and then condemn those who differ. Paul directly addressed this in Romans 14, urging believers to "stop judging one another," reminding them that God is the ultimate Judge. Jesus' warning about the "log in your own eye" (Matthew 7:1-5) suggests that judgmentalism itself is a grave sin, arrogating God's role.

Doctrinal Judgmentalism. While sound doctrine is important, we can slip into judgmentalism by becoming hypercritical of those with whom we disagree, even "demonizing" them. We should express disagreements biblically, without resorting to character assassination, and hold our convictions with humility, recognizing that godly people can hold different views on non-essential doctrines.

A Critical Spirit. This is continuous judgmentalism, a constant fault-finding with everyone and everything. It's destructive, especially within families, where constant criticism can lead to feelings of rejection and self-fulfilling prophecies of failure. It takes "seven compliments to undo the effects of one criticism." We must examine ourselves and seek feedback from others to identify and repent of a critical spirit.

Sins of the Tongue. Gossip is the most commonly recognized "respectable" sin of the tongue, but it's just one of many. Any speech that tears down another person is sinful. Ephesians 4:29 provides the benchmark: "Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear."

• Gossip: Spreading unfavorable (even if true) information about someone, often based on rumor, feeding self-righteousness.
• Slander: Making false statements or misrepresentations to damage reputation, often by ascribing wrong motives or exaggerating faults.
• Lying: Includes exaggeration, withholding truth, or "little white lies"—any intent to deceive.
• Critical Speech: Negative comments that are true but unkind or unnecessary.
• Harsh Words, Insults, Sarcasm, Ridicule: Speech intended to put down, humiliate, or hurt.
  These sins stem from a sinful heart, with the tongue merely revealing what's within. We must guard both our mouths and our thoughts, aiming for speech that builds up and gives grace.

10. Worldliness: Preoccupation with Earthly Things

Worldliness means accepting the values, mores, and practices of the nice, but unbelieving, society around us without discerning whether or not those values, mores, and practices are biblical.

Attachment to the Temporal. Worldliness is not just about obvious sins, but about being "attached to, engrossed in, or preoccupied with the things of this temporal life" (1 Corinthians 7:31). It means valuing earthly things (even legitimate ones) more than "things that are above" (Colossians 3:2), such as God, His Word, prayer, and the Great Commission. It's adopting the values and practices of the surrounding culture without biblical discernment.

Areas of Worldliness:

• Money: Despite being the wealthiest nation, evangelicals often exhibit stinginess, giving less to God's work and accumulating debt. This reflects a love of money (1 Timothy 6:10) and a focus on self-consumption rather than stewardship. Jesus said, "You cannot serve God and money" (Matthew 6:24).
• Immorality (Vicarious & Immodesty): While overt acts are unacceptable, worldliness manifests in:
  • Vicarious immorality: Secretly enjoying reports of others' sexual misconduct in media, or consuming sexually explicit entertainment.
  • Immodest dress: Christian women adopting immodest fashions, contrary to 1 Timothy 2:9.
  • Lustful looks: Men indulging in lingering, lustful glances at immodestly dressed women, a sin of the eyes (Proverbs 27:20; Romans 6:21).
• Idolatry (of the Heart): Placing such high value on anything that it absorbs our emotional/mental energy, time, or resources, taking precedence over God or family.
  • Career/Vocation: Obsession with getting ahead, making work an idol instead of aiming to please God (2 Corinthians 5:9).
  • Political/Cultural Issues: Making political parties or cultural concerns (even legitimate ones) idols, overshadowing the church's primary calling of gospel proclamation.
  • Sports: An "all-consuming passion" for sports, especially football and basketball, where winning becomes paramount and happiness is tied to outcomes, making them idols.

Confronting Worldliness. To combat worldliness, we must:

• Discern: Critically evaluate cultural values and practices against biblical standards.
• Prioritize: Consciously set our minds on "things above," valuing spiritual realities over temporal ones.
• Steward: Use our money, time, and talents to glorify God, not for self-indulgence.
• Guard: Protect our hearts and minds from vicarious immorality and lustful thoughts.
• Re-evaluate: Examine our passions and commitments to ensure nothing takes God's rightful place.