Healthy Sinning?

There was an article on MSN’s newspage recently that was entitled: “Why Being Bad is Good for You.” And, after that, it got worse. When I clicked on the link (as soon as I read the title I immediately thought to myself, “You need to read this and see what they’re talking about, because it is probably worldly wisdom that is in no way Godly wisdom,” and I was right) the page that it went to entitled the slideshow “7 Healthy Sins.”

I proceeded to move through 7 photos depicting 7 sins, which each had a paragraph or two attached explaining how the sin was healthy. The article talked about how things like gossiping, and envy, and swearing (just to name the first 3) can be healthy for you and should be encouraged in moderation. I read the author’s comments, and I agree that their thoughts were very logical, and (from a worldly perspective) they seem very wise.

However, I am not looking from a worldly perspective. Nor am I interested in gaining a worldly perspective. The point of view that I value says:

He who conceals his hatred has lying lips,

and whoever spreads slander is a fool.

When words are many, sin is not absent,

but he who holds his tongue is wise.

The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,

but the heart of the wicked is of little value. (Proverbs 10:18-20, NIV)

… and:

A heart at peace gives life to the body,

but envy rots the bones. (Proverbs 14:30)

… and a ton of other passages against these and other sins that the world would try to tell you are really no big deal. 

The problem (once again, and as always) is that those who don’t know God don’t get it. For example, let’s stick with the topic of gossip. The article suggests that gossiping now and then relieves stress. Now, it is true that holding your feelings and frustrations and anger in until you pop is not healthy. You need to be able to work things out, and sometimes that means talking things out. However, that does not require gossip. The right perspective makes all the difference. If I really care about someone, then I should be able to talk to them about the problem. If I am not close to the person, then I should be able to let their words slide off my back. Either way, no need for gossip.

As I deal with kids and teenagers almost every day at work and at church, similar issues of complaining, tattling, whining, gossiping about others happens all the time. And almost without exception, I tell them the same thing: I don’t want to hear about the other person. I don’t want to encourage gossip by encouraging them to share it with me. I do want to help them work on their own issues. They can’t change the other person. But they can work on changing their responses. That’s where I move them to.

Do you knowingly and willingly allow sin into your life because someone somewhere convinced you its healthy? Do you indulge in guilty pleasures? Do you do something, or eat something, with a small smile as you think or even say out loud that what you’re doing is ‘bad’?

What do you think God thinks of that? Talk to Him about it. He’ll forgive you and He’ll help you with it. And I promise you that you’ll be much healthier than those people who gossip to let off steam.