Often we find folks who justify their sinful behavior by saying, "I am not bothering anyone." This excuse may sound thoughtful, but it is not. In fact, when we study the nature of sin, we learn that when we commit sin, any sin, we "bother" others!
Let us begin by noting that when we sin, we have "bothered" both the Father and the Son! Remember, it is sin that nailed Christ to the cross! Christ came to this world so that He could die (John 18:37). From Genesis 3:15 to the end of the Bible, we see our Lord Christ as the sacrifice for our sins (Rev. 13:8)! At the same time, we read in the Bible about the degree of love possessed by God. He loves man so much that He gave His only begotten Son as the supreme sacrifice (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10). Therefore, let us not say that when we sin, we are not "bothering" anyone! God and Christ will both disagree with that statement!
Furthermore, our sins often "bother" men! When we are young, our sins affect the lives of our parents. Though we may not like to admit it, it is still the truth! In addition to this, there are some sins we commit that not only affect our parents, placing undue worry and emotional and/or financial strain upon them, but our sins can result in society (through taxes) paying for our housing and food for a time (i.e., prison)!
We also recognize that for the Christian, when we sin and refuse to repent, it places a burden upon the church, wherein the church must withdraw from us (2 Thess. 3:6, 14-15; 1 Cor. 5:5-7)! The church cannot continue to be in fellowship with a person who is "walking disorderly," or literally, "out-of-step" with God! Therefore, one's sin has affected an entire congregation of God's people! (One's sins have also placed a burden on a family of Christians who now have a family member from whom the church has withdrawn, 2 Thess. 3:6; 1 Cor. 5:11!) In light of these things, how can we say that the sins we commit do not "bother" anyone? In fact, just the opposite is true! "For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself" (Rom. 14:7).
Yet, if it could be proven that there is a sin which "bothers no one," remember that this sin has an effect upon the one who has committed it! Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2), and sin results in spiritual death (James 1:15; Rom. 6:23)! Knowing that this is the case, who can believe that man can engage in sinful activities, but "bother no one"? It's impossible!
Let's stop offering excuses for sin. Rather, let us admit our sin, repent of it, and live as God wants us to live (Acts 17:30; John 14:15)! In so doing, we can have a positive effect upon ourselves and upon others, influencing folks for good and not evil (Matt. 5:16; Col. 3:17).
- The Old Paths, 7/14/13