5 ways we normalize sin

Because it doesn't have to be so normal.

1. We choose to expose ourselves to sin.

Ok sure. There is sin everywhere. We are all exposed to sin every single day.

You're exposed to sin! You're exposed to sin!

And even more than just being exposed to it, we fall into it too. (But we thank God for Jesus because He defeated sin and we are being transformed into His image daily.)

But anyway.

When I say that we expose ourselves to sin, I'm talking about when we have a choice. Not when we are forced to be around someone cursing at work, but when we go home and watch shows with the same language.

We tell ourselves that even though we choose to watch it, we would never actually do it.

Who me?

Sin becomes normal when we stop carefully guarding our hearts.

Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.
[Proverbs 4:23-27 NLT]

2. We simply leave the house.

Seriously, we don't have to look very hard to find what society says is normal. Our culture reinforces the sinful ideas we exposed ourselves to in #1, so the seeds we planted inevitably get watered.

We literally have to fight our flesh to rid our minds of these ideas, anything less is practically accepting defeat.

Flesh!

3. We put ourselves in tempting environments.

Any faith we have in our flesh is a recipe for disaster.

Not the tough situations God allows to experience to help us grow, the other ones. The times we go as far as we can go just to see how far we can go without ever actually...going. When we rely so heavily on the grace of God that even gravity couldn't hold us.

When we hang out alone with the person we like, knowing we shouldn't. When we choose to have a glass of wine instead of just going to sleep. Or when we go to a party, just to umm...see who's there?

Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

[Matthew 26:41 ESV]

4. We don't take our thoughts captive.

I mean it's just a thought. How much damage can it really do?

Thoughts have power. Especially for people who think a lot more than they talk. We have to rebuke and repent for our thoughts, because we have the mind of Christ and the enemy can't have that space.


You have the commandment that says, 'You must not commit adultery.' But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
[Matthew 5:27-28 NLT]


5. We don't speak up for what we believe. 

One of the best ways to convince our hearts to hate sin, is to defend righteousness at any cost. It's as simple as saying "yes" when someone at work asks if something that feels so good can really be so bad for you.

Or politely turning down an invite because though it sounds fun, nothing good can come out of going.

Sorry.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace.
[Ephesians 6:14-15 ESV]


The sin in our lives doesn't become normal overnight. When we ignore the gentle voice of the Holy Spirit leading us to righteousness, we slip into unsafe territory. Only by remaining in God's word and staying grounded in truth, can we conquer the very thing we were all once slaves to: Sin.




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