Attempts to Justify Sin Proverbs 16 2 Proverbs

Attempts to Justify Sin Proverbs 16: 2 Proverbs 21: 2

Proverbs 16: 2 All the ways of a man are pure in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the spirits. Proverbs 21: 2 Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the Lord weighs the hearts. It is the tendency of man to justify himself

Some Attempts to Justify Our Sin… • Many Ways, But All Start with Man’s Thought • It Is Someone Else’s Fault Ø Gen. 3: 12 -13 Adam blamed Eve, Eve blamed serpent Ø 1 Sam. 15: 13 -21 Saul blamed people for wrong done Ø James 1: 13 -15 Some try to blame God for sin • It Will End Up Bringing Good Result Ø 1 Sam. 13: 7 -14 Saul claimed people compelled him Ø 1 Sam. 15: 13 -15 Animals spared for sacrifice § Note answer : “To obey is better than sacrifice” Ø Rom. 6: 1 -2 Paul answered this excuse: “God forbid!”

Some Attempts to Justify Our Sin… • It Is Not Clearly Wrong – “Gray Area” Ø Lk. 10: 25 -29 Lawyer asked, “Who is my neighbor? ” Ø Eph. 5: 17 Two possibilities: Unwise or Understand • It Is the Accuser’s Problem (He is crazy, stupid…) Ø Acts 26: 24 -26 Festus claimed Paul was “mad” Ø Matt. 22: 23 -33 Sophisticated Sadducees tried it Ø 1 Cor. 1: 18 -19 Supposed wisdom of world is folly • It Is Out-Weighed By Good Qualities Ø Matt. 7: 21 -23 Many good things, but lost by lawless Ø Lk. 18: 9 -14 Pharisee did much right, but no humility • Justifications Usually Involve Deception