Ways we try to deal with sin

Why do we try to justify sin?

We have cognative dissonance

People often try different Ways to deal with their sin:

Proud and Defensive Strategy:

Normalize it: “Everyone else is doing it.”

Hide it: “What your mamma don’t know don’t hurt her.”

Blame our Genes: “I was born this way”

Change the Standard: “It’s actually not wrong.”

Point the finger to someone worse: “At least I’m not doing that other thing.”

Glorify it: We make it ok, or seem sophisticated. “I’m coming out! I declare that this is right! I’m the hero here, no matter what ‘they’ say.”

All these are faulty attempts to deal with sin. None of them would ever stand up in court. One night when I was a high schooler, I made a dumb choice and raced my friend on the 5 freeway. We were driving somewhere around 115mph. Somehow my parents found out and they were not happy. But imagine if the police were the ones who caught me, and I went in to court and tried some of these attempts with the judge.

Works Based Strategy:

Teeter Totter: If my good works outweigh my bad, I’ll probably be ok.

Do better: I’m just gonna try to do better from now on.

Good vibes: “I’ll just be positive.”

Shame: I’ll just feel bad about it, or inflict punishment upon myself. I don’t deserve good.

Ephesians 2:9 NIV

not by works, so that no one can boast.

Try this in court too, they will not work.