Respectable Sins

Michaelaeufemia
3 min readApr 18, 2020

What are respectable sins? These are the sins that are often overlooked. The sins that we have almost forgot even existed. They may even seem harmless to us or just not important. I mean at least you’re not going out and committing adultery on your wife, or addicted to drugs. But should we really tolerate these “unimportant” sins in our life? Should we be so focused on other individual’s “major” sins that we don’t even acknowledge our own subtle ones?

Photo by Julio Rionaldo on Unsplash

For the past few weeks our nation has been on lockdown. Confined to our homes, stuck with the same people every day, 24 hours a day. This is a trying time for everyone. But it also provides an amazing opportunity for reflection. Over these past few weeks have you lashed out in anger? Have you said something hurtful you shouldn’t have? Have you looked at something on the internet that you shouldn’t have? While reflecting over our own depravity isn’t the most fun thing to do, it is often necessary. It is so easy to judge others in our life. Just because their sins are visible, doesn’t mean the invisible sins aren’t just as damning. Jesus died for the sins of the world, not just for the visible sins of the world. All have fallen short of the glory of God; there is none righteous, no not one.

Over these past few weeks I have prayed that God would soften my heart to address the sins in my life. I had some sins I knew of but just didn’t want to change, and others that frankly I hadn’t even considered as sin until God brought them to light. I found myself lashing out at the ones I love most, being judgmental of others, and the best part is I was mad at God for my sin! Like somehow it was His fault! No! It was a heart problem that has been growing inside of me since I was born. So now that God has brought me to the realization of my sin what should I do with it?

An amazing book by Jerry Bridges called Respectable Sins shows an amazing plan for addressing these sins. First of all, you must honestly review yourself and the parts of your life that you know you struggle with, and parts that you don’t even know you struggle with. Second, ask a friend/spouse/family member to talk with you about your behavior. Tell them they must be completely honest, and simply listen. Do not lash back and defend yourself. This is a time for humility. Even if it’s something that you disagree with, their must be some reason why they suggested that to you. Third, after God has shown you these sins in your life you must now address them. Bridges outlines 6 steps to dealing with your sin.

1.) Apply the Gospel. (Jesus came and died for your sins!)

2.) Depend on the Holy Spirit. (YOU will not be able to win this battle alone.)

3.) Recognize your responsibility. (All of us in ourselves deserve hell.)

4.) Memorize and apply Scripture. (Scripture is our defense from the Devil’s schemes.)

5.) Cultivate the practice of prayer. (Prayer is key in a relationship with God.)

6.) Involve other believers with you. (There is strength in numbers, and accountability is incredibly important)

If you so choose to embark on this journey, know that it will not always be an easy battle. Our flesh is stubborn. Not only that, but the Devil will not be happy. The powers of the Evil One have been working your whole life to keep as many sins as they can from your knowledge. This is a warning that the attack is imminent, and that Satan and his demons will fight hard. However, here’s the best part: we already know the end of the story. Jesus came down in human form to die for the sins of the world. When you are saved, God the Father doesn’t see your sin, He sees Jesus. Do you know what else comes along with that? VICTORY.

Great Books for reference:

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

Grace Walk by Steve McVey

Works Cited:

Bridges, Jerry. Respectable Sins. NavPress, 2017.

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Michaelaeufemia

Young Adults/Outreach Pastor Rosedale Baptist Church