Justifying Our Sin

Therefore, to the one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin. - James 4:17 (NASB)

Have you ever looked at scripture that specifically says not to do something, yet you do it anyway? I have. I lived in disobedience to the Lord on several occasions. I knew God’s truth, but the more I ignored it, the more I became desensitized to His prompting me to change. What I wanted felt more important to me than what mattered to God. I even confessed my disobedience to a pastor at that time who joked about my sin and did not guide me in the right direction when given the chance, so I continued with my sinful lifestyle, thinking it must not be that bad.

When we justify an action, decision, or idea contrary to the word of God, we provide reasons that demonstrate why our thoughts or behavior were necessary according to our truth. But what about the truth based on God’s words and standards? It was through reading the word of God and falling in love with Him that I gained the desire to please Him more than myself. If we have accepted Jesus as our Savior and consistently ignore doing what is right, we cannot find peace with ourselves or with God. At first, it may be pleasant, but eventually, inner turmoil will continue to nudge us, and this is because of God’s love for us. He’s coming after His lost sheep.

Thankfully, we have a God who knows His plans for us and loves us enough to tell us the truth that teaches us righteousness as we step into His forgiveness through repentance.

“Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts, and do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God.” - Romans 6:12-13 (NASB) For you were continually straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and the Guardian of your souls. -1 Peter 2:25 (NASB)

Heavenly Father, You are holy. You sent us Your Holy Spirit to counsel us and help us as we live here on earth. You say if we love You, we will keep Your commands. Help us to see Your love for us so that our hearts may weep when we sin against You, out of our love for You.

This devotion by author Terrie Miles is exclusively and solely shared with permission to New Beginnings Church. Any unauthorized printed reproduction, sharing, or use of this material is prohibited.