“The sin we should hate most in all the world is our own”
Kevin Deyoung
In a world that is consumed with sin its often times easy to look at our neighbor with the pointed finger of judgment. Noticing every detail of every flaw and slip toward sins leads us to be critical. This is a helpful attitude to have, if we see our neighbor in sin then godly love demands we show them their error and warn of the consequences.
Sin is everywhere and in every heart. So being vigilant about keeping our eyes open to it is important. The devil definitely has his eyes open and is ready to attack at any given moment and seize every opportunity he can find.
- 1 Peter 5:8 “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
With all the watching and finger pointing how much time do you spend reflecting on and hating the sin in your own life? After all, your neighbors sin isn’t what causes you distance from God…it’s your own sins that seem to drive a wedge between you and the Creator.
We should be more willing to despise our own sin before we spend much of our time hating the sin of our neighbor, country and government. It’s our own sin that is seen as an outright assault on God, an attack on His word and a war against His character.
I hate the sin of abortion. I think it is disgusting and ties many sins together into one large sin. My hatred for abortion doesn’t cancel out sins in my own life though. It’s right and good to hate abortion, and taking a direct stand against it is to take a stand on the side of the righteousness of God. I can and should hate it, but I need to do so without ignoring my own sins.
My own greed displeases God. My own lusts of the flesh are contrary to all that God is. A little lie is a great attack on our Lord. These things shouldn’t shift my mind away from the sins of others, but should give me more reason to hate my sin and concentrate on genuine repentance before God, which would lead me to better love God and neighbor and help me be a better witness than just a finger pointer in the crowd.
When we see others in sin we feel that sense of disgust and worry for that person’s dishonor to God. But remember that others see us also. And when the world see us go against what and who we profess to follow and believe, it brings a reproach against the truths of scripture and the God we follow.
We must hate our sin and always be in constant prayer as a fight against it. My sin was included in the sins that Christ died for, why would I ignore it or see it as less than the sins of those around me? My sins is what silently teaches my child. My sin is where my hatred should first be placed because my sin is an attack on the righteousness and holiness of God and the sacrifice of Jesus Christ.
John Owen has a famous quote that serves as great advice and a great warning
Do not overlook your own sin because others appear to sin greater than you. Hate your sin and desire it’s death or it will have you.
No King but Christ 