Introduction
God commands us to be holy.
This command was given to the children of Israel many times.
Each time a command had just been issued.
The purpose is to remind them (and us) that only through obedience can we achieve holiness.
Often, though, we pick and choose which sins we will refrain from doing.
We will determine for ourselves what is right or wrong, instead of letting God tells us what is right or wrong.

The Problem Facing The Church Today
When we decide for ourselves what is right or wrong, we are kicking Jesus out of His rightful authoritative role.
It is like thinking that the words of Jesus are nothing more than suggestions which are optional for us.
If the church is going to be what God intends for it to be, we must do our part to recognize the commands of Jesus and do them to the best of our ability.

The Problem Facing The Church Today
We have to strive each day to be more holy.
We have to stop pointing our finger at others and start examining ourselves.
We need to stop comparing ourselves to sinners and start comparing ourselves to a holy God.
It is so easy and comfortable to compare yourself to the horrible sinners out there and feel good about yourself.
But do you measure up to the fullness and stature of Christ?
Let’s look at these ‘so called’ minor (or little) sins and concentrate how we will deal with them in our lives.

The Lack Of Proper Preaching
Many preachers know that if we preach against homosexuality, abortion, and murder that we will be approved by the congregation.
Most in the congregation would never let these issues provoke them into sin.
But there are other sins in which the members would rather the preacher NOT preach on.
These are the sermons that step on toes, and most people do not like it.
We will call these little sins, although any sin can keep one out of heaven.

Pride
When is the last time you’ve truly contemplated your own pride.
Pride will prevent you from acknowledging that you have any sins at all.
Proverbs 29:23 “A mans pride will bring him low…”;
Galatians 6:3 “For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself”.;
James 4:6 “…God is opposed to the proud…”;
Proverbs 16:18 “Pride goes before a fall, and a haughty spirit before stumbling”.

Greed
Or how about greed—it is one of the most dangerous sins because it cost so much.
Greed is one of the most selfish things there is.
1 Timothy 6:9-10 “But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith,…”;
Proverbs 28:25 “A greedy man stirs up strife…”;
1 Corinthians 6:9-11—greed is seen in several of these categories which will keep one out of heaven.

Gossip
Maybe you have a problem with gossip.
Gossip not only hurts you, but it hurts others.
Ephesians 4:29 “let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, that it may give grace to those who hear”.;
Proverbs 16:28 “A perverse man spreads strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends”.

Lying
Or what about lying—do you realize we do this all the time without thinking about it?
When you lie, you take on the characteristic of Satan.
Proverbs 6:16-19—six sins, yea seven—lying tongue.;
Proverbs 12:22 “lying lips are an abomination to the LORD…;
Colossians 3:9-10 “do not lie to one another…””

Gluttony
Gluttony is so much more than eating lots of food.
The sin covers anything that is taken to excess even though in and of itself it is alright.
Philippians 3:18-19 “For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set the minds on earthly things.;
Proverbs 23:20-21 “do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat—for they will come to poverty…”;

Lust
Or maybe you have a problem with lust.
You know, those impure thoughts about sex?
We can see from 1 Peter that the lust covers more than just sexual issues.
Matthew 5:28 “…whoever lusts, has already committed adultery in the heart”…;
Galatians 5:16 “..the desire of the flesh…;
1 Thessalonians 4:3-5 “For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;”

Anger
Or maybe you have a problem with anger or stirring up strife.
Either one is bad enough.
Proverbs 15:1 “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger”;
Proverbs 6:16-19—six sins, yea seven—sows discord among brethren.
Ephesians 4:25-27 “Therefore, laying aside falsehood, speak truth each one of you, with his neighbor, for we are members of one another. Be angry and yet do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger and do not give the devil an opportunity”.

Hypocrisy
Or maybe your struggle is hypocrisy—which is nothing more than being deceitful.
Another term for lying.
Matthew 6:1 “Beware of practicing your righteousness before men to be noticed by them; otherwise you have no reward with your Father who is in heaven”;
Matthew 23:1-36 Woe to the scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! Is stated seven times.
James 1:26 “if anyone thinks himself to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is worthless”.

Who Cares?
Or how about apathy or indifference.
Most of the time nobody cares enough to even consider this.
This is where most of the people in the modern church are.
Revelation 3:15-16 “Laodicea—cold or hot, but lukewarm…;
Matthew 25:41-46—they would have done it for Christ, but not for His children—cast into the fire.;
James 2:15-17”… says to them ‘go in peace, be warmed and be filled’, and you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that?

Marriage Relationships
Maybe you do not treat your spouse the way you should.
Some are not married (anymore), but they have the instruction to teach others about this great responsibility.
Ephesians 5:22-33 marriage relationship compared to Christian relationship with Christ;
1 Corinthians 7:1-40 most of the chapter deals with the marriage relationship.
1 Corinthians 13:4-8—the great chapter on love.

Sharing The Gospel
Or what about your lack of evangelism?
Do you ever ask forgiveness for not trying to teach others?
Why do we have such a hard time with this command, when salvation is supposedly what motivated us to become Christians in the first place?
Mark 16:15-16 “,,,Go preach the gospel to every creature under heaven…”;
Matthew 28:19-20—”…go teach all nations…”
Acts 8:4—they went everywhere preaching the word.

Conclusion
This list can go on and on.
If we preach on these “little”, “minor”, sins for which we have become comfortable tolerating, we just might have a chance.
When we preach on all the sins, the spiritual health of our congregations will certainly be improved.
What about you?
Are you comfortable, or do you need to improve your efforts to be holy?

By Carey Scott from an article by Brad Harrub

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