Preaching Against Sin

Isa. 58:1 Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sins.

2 Tim. 4:2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

I find as long as I preach against sin in generalities, no one gets too upset or offended. It is only when I name specific sins (like smoking, drinking alcohol, pornography, robbing God, not witnessing / soul winning, skipping church) that people become uncomfortable. People don’t mind preaching against sin, as long as it is not their own pet sin. People don’t like to have their toes stepped on.

Bible preachers have always denounced sin in no uncertain terms. Samuel was explicit about Saul’s sin (1 Sam. 15). Jehu didn’t mince words about Jehoshaphat’s sin (2 Chron. 19:2). Nehemiah literally “man-handled” some people over their sins (Neh. 13:15-28). Jeremiah was specific about Israel’s sins (Jer. 1:16; 2:13). John the Baptist pointed out Herod’s sin (Mk. 6:18). Paul named names in preaching against sin (1 Tim. 1:20; 2 Tim. 4:14; Titus 1:12-13). Our Lord scathed the religious hypocrites of His day calling them snakes, among other choice terms (read Matthew 23!).

So, next time the preacher “rubs the fur the wrong way,” don’t blame him… Just turn the cat around!

An article by Pastor Al Hughes