If you were raised in church, you were probably warned concerning certain sins. Oftentimes, different churches have certain sins they really highlight to which they really want you to abstain. It seems that Christianity is often perceived as the “thou shalt not” religion.
In your experience, what are the top 5 sins that you have been taught to avoid?
Thou shalt not have premarital sex?
Thou shalt not drink, smoke, or chew (or date girls who do)?
Thou shalt not curse?
Thou shalt not gamble?
Thou shalt not take the Lord’s name in vain?
Did you ever know that there are sins of omission? These are the failures to do the “thou shalt’s.” Take a moment and read James 4:15-17.
Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”16 But as it is, you boast in your arrogance; all such boasting is evil.17 Therefore, to one who knows the right thing to do and does not do it, to him it is sin.
James reminded us that we must be careful how we live and plan our lives accordingly. He then states that “it is a sin for the person who knows to do what is good and doesn’t do it” (v. 17). The Bible makes it clear that if we know something that ought to be done, ought to be corrected, ought to be addressed, and we don’t do something about it, we are in serious sin.
Take a moment and ask God to reveal some areas that need to be addressed. It might be in your home, your community, or your world, but what do you feel like God has commanded you to do that you need to start addressing.
Thou shalt ____________
Thou shalt ____________
Thou shalt ____________
Thou shalt ____________
Thou shalt ____________
We don’t want to have sins of omission. Take a moment and commit these actions to God. Get busy working for him!
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.
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