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Please Don't Say That Word

If I were to mention certain words or phrases, I would get an immediate and visceral reaction from many people. Let's experiment, shall we?

Dirty diapers.
Liars.
Healthcare.
Taxes.
No more cookies. (Okay, that last one was probably just me.)

But there is another word that wouldn't get the reaction it should. Oh, we might say it would. If I had included it in the list above, you'd say it garners the same reaction. But I'm afraid it doesn't. Not like it should.

The word is sin.

Like I said, we may react. We say we don't like it. We agree it's bad for your long-term health. But you won't see people's eyes roll or their faces contorted.

Now hear how God responds to the word.

You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, ~Exodus 20:5

There are six things the Lord hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
haughty eyes,
a lying tongue,
hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil,
a false witness who pours out lies
and a person who stirs up conflict in the community. ~Proverbs 6:16-19

Again and again I sent my servants, the prophets, to plead with them, ‘Don’t do these horrible things that I hate so much.’ ~Jeremiah 44:4

These are just a few. What will it take for us to see sin the way God sees sin? What will it take for you?
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