Respectable Sins

Confronting the Sins We Tolerate

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Why do we tolerate jealousy, anger, and pride in ourselves? Jerry Bridges explains how we have hope in the mercy of the gospel and God's transforming grace as the means to overcome subtle sins.

Description: Have Christians become so preoccupied with "major" sins that we have lost sight of our need to deal with more subtle sins?

Navigator author Jerry Bridges addresses the “acceptable” sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves, including pride and anger. He goes to the heart of the matter, exploring our feelings of shame and grief and opening a new door to God's forgiveness and grace.

Travel down the road of spiritual formation with Jerry and discover your true identity as a loved child of God.

Discussion guide available.

Ouch! and Wow!

I so appreciate the discussion on Godliness. I so agree that this is the center of our issue with sins big and small. I taught on this chapter and topic recently and re-interpreted the word "Godly" as more "God-ward" because I don't want to loose the traditional meaning of "Godly" as related to the behavior that manifests from our internal orientation. I think they are hand in hand, one more internal focus, the other more outward action that grows out of the inward orientation. But that said, It is excellent to confront not just the big and little sins we tolerate, but more the motive/heart behind these. Thanks, Jerry, for another excellent thought and spirit provoking work. You pastor us. TJ
Posted by TJ on 3/10/2011 6:15:33 AM

If You Want To Get Serious with God, Here's A Tough but Essential Read

Jerry started off the book by drawing the attention of the readers to the spiritual condition of the Corinthians church during Paul's time. Despite the mess and sins in the church of Corinth at that time, Paul addressed them as saints (2 Cor 1:1 and 1 Cor 1:2). How could Paul address them as saints? Paul similarly used the word in other places like in Romans 1:7; 16:15; 1 Cor 1:2 and 2 Cor 1:1. Jerry then explained that the Greek word used for "sainthood" and "holy" is "Hagios", which refers, not to the character, but rather a state of being (being set apart, separated for God) (1 Cor 6:19-20). What are we separated for? Titus 2:14 says that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works (Titus 2:14, NKJV). In other words, we are set apart so that we will be zealous for good works. We don't become saints by our own effort. We are "made" saints by God Himself. Yet, as Jerry pointed out, if we are honest with ourselves, we know that nearly every waking hour, we sin in thoughts, words and deeds. Our best motives are often stained with impure or mixed thoughts and intentions. Unfortunately, it is not only that we are waging war against the lust or desires of the flesh, but we often soften our concept of sins. We categorise sins. We tend to evaluate our character and conduct based on the moral culture we live in. Often times, as we think of the blatant and obvious sins around us such as murder, rape, stealing, etc, we tend think of ourselves better than those committing such criminal offenses. We tolerate certain sins while condemning the obvious ones such as mentioned above. We let ourselves off the hook by saying that our sins of selfishness, critical spirit, impatience, anger, judgmentalism, etc are not as bad as the "sins of the world." And this book is exactly about - addressing those sins that we often think are "respectable" or "tolerable". Unfortunately, every sin is serious because every sin essentially breaks God's law. And sin essentially is about "missing the mark", falling short of God's holy standard. The first six chapters of this book are a general description, dealing with the problems of sins, and the direction we should take towards the problem of sins. From chapter seven onwards, Jerry dealt with specific "tolerable" sins, one in each chapter. These are: - Ungodliness - Anxiety and Frustration - Discontentment - Unthankfulness - Pride - Selfishness - Lack of Self-control - Impatience and irritability - Anger - Judgmentalism - Envy, Jealousy and related sins - Sins of the tongue - Worldliness In a way, I find this book "difficult" to read, it was not an easy read but it is a very vital read because as I read, the Holy Spirit, like a gentle surgeon, took the surgical blade and cut through the specific malignant areas of sins in my life.
Posted by Keng-Sheng CHEW on 1/31/2010 2:17:55 PM

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

I read this book slowly over the course of a few weeks. I struggled through some of it. Many chapters the Lord laid on my heart and used to convict me of my own sinfulness. Chapter after chapter, my own sins came into sharp focus. And I saw them for how ugly they really are. How ugly they are to God. Yet, thankfully, Bridges has a pastor's heart and did not leave me face down in the dust, but offered me encouragement and suggestions on how to practically confront those sins which plague my life. The power of the gospel, of memorizing and applying God's word, the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit and reliance on prayer comprise much of his strategy in confronting specific sins. This book challenged me, yet it is one of the more worthwhile books I have read. I plan to re-read it and refer to it again.
Posted by Michelle Smith on 1/5/2010 4:16:28 PM

Confronting the Sins We Tolerate

Do you find it easy to tackle the major sins of others, such as adultery, murder, or stealing? Have you forgotten about the more subtle sins of gossip, envy, anger, impatience, pride, etc? Have you applied sin to others without addressing them in your own life because you don't see them as important? If so and if you are ready to deal with them so you can enhance your relationship with God and others, read this book. Bridges compassionately addresses those sins which we tolerate in ourselves because we see them as acceptable. He reminds us that God doesn't see any sin as acceptable. He expects us to live holy lives to glorify and honor Him. This book is easy to understand but difficult to read. I saw myself in every chapter. This is not a book you can read and tuck away somewhere. If you are sensitive to the Holy Spirit, you will find yourself somewhere in this book. You will have to deal with some ugliness in yourself especially if you want to be the person God created you to be and it won't be easy. It is designed to be used in a personal or group study. If you are thinking about using the book in a small group study, I urge you to either read the book first and see what you will be asked to confront or choose a group of people with whom you already have an intimate relationship. I was convicted by all the subtle sins I commit every day especially since I knew they were sins, but because they were not the "major" sins as Christians define them I did not think twice about it. It is not a book I will read once. It is probably a book I will read over and over again to remind myself that there are no good sins. Every Christian should read this book especially those who are seeking to live a holy life and a life that honors God.
Posted by Jill Jones on 12/10/2009 8:01:58 AM

painful and hopeful

Jerry Bridges has written a powerful new book of hope for all Christians, Respectable Sins. This book is for all sinners, especially evangelical Christians. It is a painful book to read because it forces us to be honest with our ugliness in all its forms, yet it is hopeful because he reminds us of 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” It is easy to read and consistent with much of his previous writings. In the first half of the book he provides an overview of the gospel and its effects upon our lives; in the second half he applies it practically in dealing with specific and “respectable” sins we tolerate in ourselves, such as discontent, pride, and unthankfulness. Jerry Bridges draws upon years of wisdom and experience in his book and is honest and personal in admitting his struggles and successes and weaknesses in his walk with the Lord. An optional study guide is available for purchase as well. This is an excellent book for spiritual formation and our progressive sanctification and deeper growth and commitment to the Lord.
Posted by Leigh Warmbrand on 11/4/2009 3:06:32 PM

Mixed Feelings

I liked that the book frequently referred to Scripture, pointed the reader to God for help, stressed the seriousness of all sin ("small" & "large") & pointed out that wrong attitudes are serious, too. I assumed the point of the book was about attitudes--how the Bible teaches that we might get our behavior outwardly correct, but as long as our attitudes are wrong then our wrong behavior will keep slipping through despite our best efforts. Thus, we need to have changed attitudes in order to have permanently changed behaviors. However, the author didn't clearly point this out & treated attitudes the same way as behavior--this is a wrong attitude that makes us act in these ways; don't act this way, but act this way; ask God for help. Most of each chapter was focused on how we act--behavior--rather than staying focused on the root of the problem (the heart/attitudes) & the solution (Christ). Some chapters were better with this than others. I had problems with chapters 3-6. The author previously stated that those who have accepted Christ as their Savior are now saints & that God sees Jesus' righteousness when He looks at us. Great! But then he stressed multiple times that our identity is really still "a great sinner" & that we are constantly sinning & can do nothing without selfish motives. Um. Christ's work means my identity is no longer SINNER even if I sin. Also, I'm not constantly sinning & I can do things with no selfish motives--all the credit, praise & glory goes to God. The author also stated that our progress on changing can be very slow, so much so that it appears no progress is being made. This isn't how it has to be. Generally, the Holy Spirit convicts me of sin, I fall on my knees in sincere repentance & I pray "Lord, I know this attitude is not pleasing to you, but I acknowledge my inability to change it. I surrender. Please take Lordship over this part of my heart. Give me an attitude pleasing to you." My attitude is truly & lastingly changed within minutes to hours of saying this prayer. (Though sometimes I also have to add "help me to see this sin the way you do so that I can sincerely reject this attitude & want to change.") It's then easy to behave correctly--not to mention restful since I don't have the burden of making this impossible change on my own. Which brings me to a statement the author made on page 49: “'Work as if it all depends on you, & yet trust as if you did not work at all.'" I agree that we play a role--sincere repentance & surrender, asking God to transform our attitudes, & not repeating actions we know are going to put us in the way of temptation. However, I don't agree that we should act as if anything depended on us. The whole point is that it doesn't. Parts of this book were good & I'm sure there are people who would find it convicting. However, I think that other books do a much better job at explaining how to become free of these sins.
Posted by Debbie on 11/2/2009 9:54:47 AM

Respectable Sins by Jerry Bridges

The first book I ever studied in a small group was ‘Pursuit of Holiness’ by Jerry Bridges – a gem of a book which I still have. Respectable Sins is an admirable companion. Immensely readable, the truths contained in it are both easy to grasp and difficult to implement. We are all guilty of sinning but, as Bridges says, we excuse ourselves. This book challenges that attitude: any sin, however, small, is anathema to God and we would do well to develop ‘zero tolerance’ towards the ‘little’ misdemeanours. Sins such as anger, pride, self-righteousness and sins of the tongue are all familiar to us and are sin even when present to a very minor degree. Add to the list ungodliness, anxiety, frustration, discontentment, unthankfulness, an independent spirit, selfishness, inconsiderateness, lack of self-control, judgmentalism, envy, jealousy and worldliness – there is no area of our lives where, if we are honest with ourselves, we can claim to be ‘sin-free’. Such a long list might seem disheartening, but Jerry Bridges offers encouraging advice, practical help and real stories which give the reader confidence in defeating sin. An accompanying discussion guide, suitable for both personal and group study, is a useful tool for practical action. Read the book slowly, pausing to examine your life in the light of each chapter. Life-changing.
Posted by Angie Pollard on 10/30/2009 5:23:21 AM

Question re: Resp Sins

I have a question for Jerry re: one of the respectable sins mentioned in his book. I could not find an email address on any of his websites re: his books. Please let me know how I may contact him.
Posted by Twylia Warlick on 3/23/2009 6:45:01 AM

Question re: Resp Sins

I have a question for Jerry re: one of the respectable sins mentioned in his book. I could not find an email address on any of his websites re: his books. Please let me know how I may contact him.
Posted by Twylia Warlick on 3/23/2009 6:44:13 AM

Great for a get away

I just used Respectable Sins for a get away. I took the sins that most trouble me one by one and used Jerry's chapters on them to kick off a study of scripture and writing out ideas for how to make progress rather than just remain at status quo. My only criticism is that that book starts slow in the beginning if you have already read his other books.
Posted by Mike on 1/23/2009 11:00:18 AM

Thank you,Jerry!

I love this book. It's just what I was needing to hear. Thank you, Jerry, for being so open and clear the way you discribed each sin and then always gave encouragement at the end of the chapters with scriptures to pray. I also loved the way you recap what the previous chapter was about. You condensed things down to a memorable way for me. Thank you, again!!!!!!
Posted by Debbie Newnum on 11/16/2008 11:07:43 AM

Life Changing

Respectable Sins is not for the faint of heart. Read it only if you want to really change and move to the next level of spiritual maturity. You may not always agree with Jerry Bridges, but the point is made that we should all be called to confront the sins we tolerate in ourselves and not in others. This is an excellent book for group study. Problem with discussion guide is that it does not follow logically with the chapters in the text.
Posted by CJ on 7/10/2008 1:03:00 PM

Heart Provoking

An eye-opening heart searching adventure which caused me to actually grasp Ezra's words of repentance for God's people: But for the grace of God go I! Must read it over again just because it's so simple and annointed that you seem to stay pondering on what was said longer than what is being read. A must read with the help of the Holy Spirit!!
Posted by bobbi topping on 1/27/2008 5:53:00 PM

Great Book

Jerry Bridges does a great job at pointing at the subtle sins that we tolerate in our lives. At the end of each chapter I was forced to come before the Lord with confession and repentance. As always, Bridges explains how the power of the gospel overcomes even our subtle sins. A great book, great encouragement, and very eye opening.
Posted by Jason Johnston on 11/28/2007 7:21:00 PM

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