Beware of thinking lightly of sin. When we're first converted, our conscience is tender, and we're afraid of the slightest sin. Young believers have a holy caution, fearing they might displease God. But soon, that first tender sensitivity fades as the world roughs us up. The young plant of faith becomes too flexible, bending too easily.

Sadly, even Christians can grow so numb that sins that once shocked them no longer disturb them. We become used to sin. Just like ears exposed to a cannon can't hear the whispers, so our hearts become deaf to sin's small alarms. At first, a little sin startles us, but soon we think, "It's just a small thing." One sin leads to another, until we see it as a minor issue. We excuse it: "We've not openly sinned. Sure, we've slipped a bit, but we've mostly stood firm. Our words may slip, but overall, we've been consistent." We sugarcoat sin, dressing it up with nice names.

Christian, don't downplay sin. Be careful not to fall gradually. Is sin a small thing? Isn't sin a poison? Who knows how deadly it is? Do small foxes not ruin the vineyard? Don’t tiny coral build reefs that wreck ships? Don’t small blows fell great trees? Don’t constant drips wear down stone? Was it not sin that crowned our Redeemer with thorns and pierced His side?

Sin caused Him deep agony and sorrow. If you could weigh even the smallest sin in the scales of eternity, you'd flee from it like a serpent and hate even the hint of evil. See all sin as what crucified your Savior, and you'll see that it is utterly sinful.