Sin Always Aims at the Uttermost

It would seem many times in the Christian life we believe we can meddle with a little taste of sin and not reap serious consequences as a result. This, however, is not the case. There are no small sins; even if sin is committed only in the heart Jesus condemns such sin as equally egregious to what is done externally (Matt. 5:21-30). And, as we see both from Scripture and experientially in our own lives, sin never sits idle, it always aims to take up greater residence in our lives. Our enemy is not satisfied to tempt us slightly, or deceive us in small ways, his aim is to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Because of who we are in Christ we are free from the power of sin over our lives (Rom. 6), but we must recall that there is a persistent force arrayed against us in the form of sin. This quote from Owen reminds us of this fact, and encourages us to continue to fight steadily against sin, using the weapons of the gospel, the Word of God, faith in His promises, and prayer.

Sin aims always at the utmost; every time it rises up to tempt or entice, might it have its own course, it would go out to the utmost sin in that kind. Every unclean thought or glance would be adultery if it could; every covetous desire would be oppression, every thought of unbelief would be atheism, might it grow to its head. Men may come to that, that sin may not be heard speaking a scandalous word in their hearts – that is, provoking to any great sin with scandal in its mouth; but yet every rise of lust, might it have its course, would come to the height of villainy: it is like the grave that is never satisfied.

Jeremy Kimble (PhD, Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary) is Assistant Professor of Theological Studies at Cedarville University. He is an editor for Credo Magazine as well as the author of That His Spirit May Be Saved: Church Discipline as a Means to Repentance and Perseverance and numerous book reviews. He is married to Rachel and has two children, Hannah and Jonathan.