The natural state of sin, is that it wants to be hidden. From Genesis 4:7, “If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it.” The Bible says that sin crouches in hiding. Like a predator skulking through the tall grass, sin wishes to ambush you when you least expect it. Its desired condition is to remain concealed, until it can pounce on you. We all have some self-awareness of our besetting sins, but they will always appear to us less significant than they actually are. One pastor put it this way, “We tell ourselves, ‘I’m not irritable; I just have high standards. I’m not ruthless; I’m just a sharp business person. I’m not stingy; I’m just prudent. I’m not obsessed with physical appearance; I just appreciate good grooming.’” So one way sin hides itself is through self-deception. We are the ones who say, “Here sin, crouch here by the door.” And then we’re surprised that it springs a trap on us from the hiding place we gave it. And after it bites us we try to protect it by hiding it again, “Don’t worry precious, I won’t let anyone know you’re here.” So we paper our sin over through lies, projection, fig leaves, whatever’s around. And the answer to this game we play, which is to be honest about our sin, is so unsavory, that we will do anything to hide our sin—including self-righteously judging others in an attempt to re-focus the spotlight on someone else.
Consider the contrast between the Pharisees and the tax collectors. One group was shown grace by the Lord and the other was shown contempt. What was the deciding factor? Both groups contained sinners. Both groups contained grievous sinners. The difference was that one group had candor and was frank about their sin. Luke 5 says, “And the Pharisees and their scribes grumbled at his disciples, saying, ‘Why do you eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?’ And Jesus answered them, ‘Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous but sinners to repentance.’” Jesus knows that the Pharisees should be lumped in with the tax collectors. Both groups are law breakers. But not only do the Pharisees fail to identify themselves as sinners, but they go a step further and point the finger, looking down their nose. They say, “Why are you eating with those dirty sinners?”
We struggle with the same thing. Failing to be honest about our sin stumbles Pharisee and Christian alike. And criticizing others’ faults doesn’t absolve you of your own. John says, “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.” So let us be honest with ourselves, cut the tall grass short and give sin no place to hide.
Daniel Namahoe – June 30, 2024
