|
Normalizing Sin
By George Stroh
November 15, 2021
And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
Our formidable spiritual enemies, the devil, the world's godless philosophies, and our own corrupted flesh, have succeeded in normalizing many sensual sins the Bible clearly condemns. For the unbeliever, making sins less sinful by making them seem normal reduces or even eliminates guilt and blinds them from the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. For them, what was once deemed sinful or wrong, has become not only acceptable, but normal and acceptable behavior. Those who openly condemn these "normalized" sins are themselves judged to be intolerant, legalistic, bigoted, ignorant or worse; And although they know the ordinance of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, they not only do the same, but also give hearty approval to those who practice them. (Romans 1:32)
Fifty years ago in America, adultery, fornication, and all forms of homosexual practices were nearly universally seen as sinful, or at least wrong. Through the powerful influence of the entertainment arts and media (books, radio, TV, movies, internet), there has been a gradual, yet accelerating, desensitization and normalization of what the Bible clearly says is sin worthy of death. What better way to "normalize" homosexual behavior than to have a celebrity, even a male Olympic Decathlon gold medalist, claim to be a woman. The non-Christian world not only has accepted this sinful behavior, but admires this man for his courageous defiance of biblical orthodoxy
The only true hope for the unbelievers is repentance and faith in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. But until one sees himself as a sinner, there is no need for the Savior and forgiveness of sins. For us believers, we must remain vigilant and sensitive regarding "normalized" sin so as not to be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of our minds.
Maranatha!
|