PRASD, Part 1--Device 3

Device 3--Satan will "extenuate and lessen" sin. He'll say: "Why are you so concerned and worried about such a little sin?"

Remedy 1

Remember that it is seemingly small sins that have brought some of the greatest demonstrations of the wrath of God.

For example, the eating of an apple, gathering firewood on the Sabbath, reaching out to touch the ark, etc. We should not be the judge of our own futures. God is on the throne, and it is he who determines the importance of every sin.

Remedy 2

Remember that giving way to a lesser sin opens up a path to a greater sin.

Is this not so often the case, not only in the Scriptures, but in your own experience? Think of David, first staying home from the war, then staring at Bathsheeba, then inquiring about her, then sending for her, then sleeping with her, and finally having her husband killed. Each small sin paved the way for a larger sin. Search your heart and remember your past, and you will find it to be true.

Brooks: "Sin is of an encroaching nature; it creeps on the soul by degrees, step by step, till it hath the soul to the very height of sin."

Remedy 3

Remind yourself that if this sin is really so small, how sad it is to oppose God for a trifle.

It is first of all great folly to risk hell for a tiny matter, then also it is an insulting thing to God, to break fellowship with him over such a small matter.

Remedy 4

Remember that small sins are sometimes the most deceptive and dangerous of them all.

We take little notice of them, we ignore them, we consider them unimportant, we let them slide. But "a little bit of yeast works through the whole batch of dough."

Remedy 5

Think of the saints that have chosen persecution and suffering rather than oppose God in small things.

For example, the three friends of Daniel who would not, even for appearance's sake, bow before the idol. Rather than this small action, they chose to be throne into the furnace.

Remedy 6

Remember that there is enough guilt and shame in even small sins, to convict and torment us if God should choose to allow it.