Session 21

Is Sin Really THAT Bad?

From Hebrews: A 24-Day Devotional

Sin is serious business. One of the biggest mistakes we can make as Christians is to have a casual attitude about sin and think it’s not a big deal anymore. Breaking God’s law is dangerous and can damage our relationship with Him.

There are two kinds of sin mentioned in the Bible. The first kind is unintentional sin. A high priest in biblical times was “able to deal gently with those who are ignorant and are going astray, since he himself is subject to weakness” (Hebrews 5:2). This means that even a priest faces temptation and understands how easy it can be to slip, especially if we aren’t even aware that what we are doing is wrong.

This is very different from a person who plans to sin.  This is when we know something is sinful and still do it or we put ourselves in tempting situations that we know aren’t going to end well. The Bible actually calls people who deliberately sin “enemies of God” who have “trampled the Son of God underfoot” and “insulted the Spirit of Grace” (Hebrews 10:27, Hebrews 10:29).  When we plan to sin it is not just something that God overlooks easily and forgets about. We can’t use the excuse that “everyone else is doing it.” God says that when we sin on purpose that we are an offensive enemy.  

If we want to live in a way that is pleasing to God, we have to do all we can to avoid both kinds of sin.  That means getting in the Bible and learning as much as we can about living how God wants us to live. It also means that when we do learn what God wants that we live obediently to His commands.  

Reflect:

• Are there any areas of your life in which you are intentionally sinning? What can you begin to do today to change that?
• What can you do to keep yourself out of tempting situations?
• One way to avoid sin is to read the Bible and do what it says. Are you having a daily quiet time where you read God’s word and listen to what He has to tell you? If not, try starting with 10 minutes a day!