Love the Sinner, Hate Their Sin
Be Strong, Be Well — Tuesday, September 15
Sin has a greater influence on righteousness than righteousness has on sin.
In the days of Haggai, the Lord argues the point with the priests that it’s easier to become defiled by sinful people, than it is to be influenced by the good of righteous people (Haggai 2:11-14).
God revealed to Moses over 3,500 years ago about contagious diseases and how they spread from person to person. He gave specific instructions to the Israelites to help keep them from getting sick and then passing the illness on to someone else (Leviticus 13:1-14:57).
With our knowledge of health issues, precautions, isolation, and observation of highly contagious viruses, we understand the principle. We can become sick by being exposed to a COVID infected person, but we will not become well just because we are exposed to a person who is healthy.
Sin is contagious and it should be separated from us! Close association with evil will contaminate our good life and conduct. Scripture tells us not to have close fellowship with sinful people, because their way of life will defile us (1 Corinthians 5:5, 6; 15:33).
Yes, sin has a greater influence on righteousness than righteousness has on sin. Nevertheless, Paul said we live in a world of sinful people. We can’t hide from all sinners. As Christians we try our best to win them over to Christ. We must be careful to love the sinner, but hate their sin. We must be very cautious in guarding our spiritual health and well-being, while helping people out of their contaminated, sinful lives. —Chris