I heard the following story some years ago and then recently as an illustration at my church. I’m sharing this free of charge to those of you who have teenagers in the house. Consider this paraphrased story titled "Dad’s Brownies" (author unknown):
The family rule was no PG-13 or R-rated movies, yet the three teenage children wanted desperately to see the newest release that was a hit with their peers. In an effort to convince their father to let them see this blockbuster, they set up a list of pros and cons. They researched and found that there were only three bad words, no explicit sex (though some implied), and the only violence was a building exploding which could be seen on TV. These teens noted that all their friends had seen it; that the movie had a great plotline; that Hollywood’s finest actors were in it; that people at church said it wasn’t "very bad"; and that it would probably win many awards.
Their father asked to have time to think about it, and the following day he had his reply. Calling in his teens, the father said that they could go to the movie if they would eat a brownie from the plate that he had set on the coffee table; yet he warned them that like the movie the brownies had pros and cons. The pros were that they were made with the finest chocolate and other good ingredients. They had the added special effect of yummy walnuts in them. The brownies were moist and fresh with wonderful chocolate frosting on top. He had made these fantastic brownies using an award-winning recipe. And best of all, the brownies had been made lovingly by the hand of their own father.
The brownies only had one con. The father had included a little bit of a special ingredient. The brownies also contained just a little bit of dog poop. But he had mixed the dough well he assured them, so they probably would not even be able to taste the dog poop, and he had baked it at 350 degrees so any bacteria or germs from the dog poop had probably been destroyed.
Therefore, if any of his children could stand to eat the brownies which included just a "little bit of crap" and not be affected by it, then he knew they would also be able to see the movie with "just a little bit of smut" and not be affected.
I thought this was a great illustration because we can all relate to justifying just a “little” sin in our lives. After all, we aren’t as bad as so and so, we feel like it is not hurting anyone, or a seemingly endless number of justifications for our sin. The problem lies in the fact that ALL sin is rebellion against a holy God.
“As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: ‘Be holy, because I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:14-15 NIV
Since we constantly “sin and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), as believers we can rest in the comfort of God’s mercy and forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 NIV
Thank you, Lord, for the mercy and forgiveness that you show us since we so frequently “fall short”. Please make us aware of those “little sins” and give us the strength to resist when confronted with temptation. Thank you for the fact that through Your power we can resist. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Have a great day!