Text: Revelation 3:15-17
15 I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
16 So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
EXCUSING OR REDEFINING SIN: A Subtle Path to Darkness
Memory Verse: Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.”
Isaiah 5:20“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” One of the clearest and most subtle signs of flirting with darkness is when you begin to excuse, justify, or even rename sin to make it appear acceptable. Instead of confronting it as God does, they soften its seriousness by saying things like, “It’s just a small mistake,” “Everyone is doing it,” or “God understands my weakness.” This redefinition makes the conscience dull and resistant to conviction. The danger here is not only committing sin but defending it. When a person excuses sin, they silence the Holy Spirit’s warnings and begin to normalize what God condemns.
- Gossip becomes “sharing concerns.”
- Fornication becomes “consenting to adults’ choice.”
- Corruption becomes “a just survival.”
It is like repainting a poison bottle with a “Vitamin” label without changing the content, it is still deadly, but the new name deceives and lures people to destruction. Excusing sin is worse than merely falling into it, because it removes the urgency to repent. David sinned, but he never excused it; instead, he confessed and sought God’s mercy Psalm 51. In contrast, Saul excused his disobedience by blaming it on the people, and God rejected him 1 Samuel 15:22–23.
To flirt with darkness by excusing sin is to resist the light. It is walking toward destruction with open eyes yet refusing to turn back. Excusing sin shifts the heart from conviction to compromise. Instead of repenting and turning away from sin, the person creates reasons to remain in it. This same pattern appeared in the Garden of Eden, when Adam blamed Eve and Eve blamed the serpent in Genesis 3:12–13. Instead of confession, they shifted responsibility.
When sin is excused, it is never conquered, it grows silently until it produces destruction. James 1:15 warns that sin, when fully grown, brings forth death. What begins as “just one time” or “not too serious” soon becomes a cycle that enslaves. Excusing sin also dulls spiritual sensitivity. The Holy Spirit’s conviction becomes faint when continually ignored, and the heart slowly hardens Hebrews 3:13. The enemy exploits this weakness, making it harder for the believer to rise again.
Therefore, excusing sin is a mark of a lukewarm Christianity, professing faith outwardly but tolerating hidden sins inwardly. True victory comes only when we call sin what it is, repent sincerely, and seek God’s grace to walk in truth and holiness.
COVENANT GATE HYMNALS 87 “REDEEMED FROM CHAINS OF DARKNESS” By Apostle James Abache
- From the depths of darkest night,
Where the shadows hide the light,
I was bound in chains of fear,
Held by powers far and near.
But my Savior heard my cry,
Spoke His name and set me free.
Now in His grace, I rise and stand,
Redeemed by His mighty hand.
Refrain:
I am free, I am free,
By His blood, delivered me!
No more chains, no more strife,
I am saved, and restored to life.
Hallelujah, praise the King,
From the pit, He’s called me out to sing!
- Satan’s whispers lost their power,
In the light of that great hour,
When the Lord’s voice called me whole,
Restoring peace unto my soul.
No more torment, no more night,
I am free in His great light.
He has broken every chain,
Nevermore to be enslaved!
Bridge:
In His name, the demons flee,
At His feet, I find my peace.
Victory, forever mine,
In the blood of Christ divine!
- Now I walk in freedom’s light,
With my Savior by my side,
For the One who freed my soul,
Now leads me to a life made whole.
I’ll forever praise His name,
For He broke the devil’s claim,
And forever I will sing,
Of the One who is my King.
Today’s Prayer
- Lord, deliver me from the deception of excusing sin. Help me call sin by its name and repent quickly in Jesus’ name.
- Father, give me a tender heart that responds to conviction. Let me never harden my heart against Your truth and holiness.
- Oh Lord, open the eyes of those trapped in the cycle of excusing sin. Grant them repentance, freedom, and a renewed walk in Your light.
