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Respectable Sins
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. A discussion guide is available separately.
192 pages, Hardcover
First published August 21, 2007
About the author
Jerry Bridges
106 books617 followersJERRY BRIDGES was an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry was on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently served in the Collegiate Mission where he was involved primarily in staff development, but also served as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 776 reviews
December 21, 2017
I love Jerry Bridges books and am sad that there will be no more as the author died last year. This book highlights the sins that we tend to overlook, (things like pride, covetousness, gossip etc,) whilst judging those who, in our view, are guilty of much more serious wrong-doing.
It's a challenge to each one of us and one of the author's best books. If you haven't yet read Trusting God then try this as well! [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]
Highly recommended!
It's a challenge to each one of us and one of the author's best books. If you haven't yet read Trusting God then try this as well! [https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...]
Highly recommended!
May 15, 2008
This book is excellent! Our youth group is going through it and I am continuing to be convicted by the chapters. Mr. Bridges talks about the sins the we often don't look at and brush aside because "they don't seem as bad as this or that". The sins that the book covers are Ungodliness, Unthankfulness, Anxiety, Frustration, Discontentment, Pride, Selfishness, Lack of Self-Control, Impatience, Irritability, Anger, The Weeds of Anger, Jugdmentalism, Envy, Jealousy, and other related sins (such as competitiveness and controlling), Sins of the Tongue, and Worldliness.
This book may not seem very exciting but, if you desire to grow in Christ, this book will help you do that!
This book may not seem very exciting but, if you desire to grow in Christ, this book will help you do that!
February 10, 2020
Wow. This book convicted me soo much. It holds so many hard truths so many Christians are unwilling to face.
August 21, 2012
I could not but help thinking in reading this book that the world would be a much better place if it were to be read more widely and taken seriously. Jerry Bridges deals here with respectable sins, those which are common even among evangelicals and not considered serious matters if considered sins at all today. He shows that respectable sins are still an affront to God, and must be dealt with. He does so in a serious and searching way that nevertheless I did not find oppressive. I have heard it said of Jerry Bridges that he has antinomian tendencies. (For non-theologians, an antinomian is someone who sees the moral law of little or no use in the Christian life.) I think such a criticism was foolish to begin with, but it certainly is laid to rest with a book such as this. I believe that Jerry Bridges understands the grace of God unusually well and that it is just such a person who is then likely to take seriously the sins that most of us neither recognize nor deal with. This book is a decided help to living a Christian life pleasing to God.
January 30, 2023
This book was great. I’ve actually had it for a couple years, but was hesitant to read it because I was afraid of what I might read, and I wasn’t ready to confront some of the more subtle sins in my life.
Having now read it, I wish I would have read it sooner! This book was not condemning, but written in such a way as to exhort the believer to examine the areas of our lives where we have “little” sins (no such thing), and rather than feeling hopeless or discouraged, to remember that Jesus has already forgiven us of these sins and to strive for obedience out of love for our Savior and all He’s done for us.
The author doesn’t pull any punches about the deadliness of sin and the important of obedience to Christ, but he does it in such a way that the reader is left edified and desiring to obey God and put all sin to death.
Some of the “Respectable Sins” covered in this book:
Ungodliness
Anxiety & Frustration
Discontentment
Unthankfulness
Pride
Selfishness
Lack of Self-Control
Impatience & Irritability
Anger
Judgemental oSm
Envy, Jealousy & Related Sins
Sins of the Tongue
Worldliness
I highly recommend this book! :)
Having now read it, I wish I would have read it sooner! This book was not condemning, but written in such a way as to exhort the believer to examine the areas of our lives where we have “little” sins (no such thing), and rather than feeling hopeless or discouraged, to remember that Jesus has already forgiven us of these sins and to strive for obedience out of love for our Savior and all He’s done for us.
The author doesn’t pull any punches about the deadliness of sin and the important of obedience to Christ, but he does it in such a way that the reader is left edified and desiring to obey God and put all sin to death.
Some of the “Respectable Sins” covered in this book:
Ungodliness
Anxiety & Frustration
Discontentment
Unthankfulness
Pride
Selfishness
Lack of Self-Control
Impatience & Irritability
Anger
Judgemental oSm
Envy, Jealousy & Related Sins
Sins of the Tongue
Worldliness
I highly recommend this book! :)
August 2, 2022
100% would recommend. Bridges highlights the importance of recognising the subtle sins that are too often tolerated and of addressing them especially in the context of the gospel. Very convicting, and his writing style is easy to read which is a bonus.
October 29, 2020
RESPECTABLE SINS by Jerry Bridges
"... the gospel is a vital gift from God not only for our salvation but also to enable us to deal with the ongoing activity of sin in our lives. So we still need the gospel every day."
I did an independent study of one of the books on our WMS reading list for this year. "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges is based on Scripture. In his admonitions, Jerry offers a message of hope in the profound mercy of the gospel and the transforming grace of God as a means to overcome our "respectable sins."
"Whatever happened to Sin? Have Christians become so preoccupied with the major sins of our society that we have lost sight of our need to deal with our own more subtle sins? Jerry Bridges addresses a dozen clusters of specific "acceptable" sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves - such as jealousy, anger, judgmentalism, selfishness," self-control and pride.
Jerry Bridges gives Bible verses to memorize that should be helpful in battling specific sins. He also gives directions for dealing with sins:
"*Apply the gospel.
*Depend on the Holy Spirit.
*Recognize your responsibility.
*Identify specific respectable sins.
*Memorize and apply appropriate Scriptures.
*Cultivate the practice of prayer.
*Involve one or a few other believers with you. "
"Some people justify their anger as righteous anger. How then, can I know if my anger is righteous anger? First, righteous anger arises from an accurate perception of true evil - that is, as a violation of God's moral law. It focuses on God and His will, not on me and my will. Second, righteous anger is always self-controlled. It never causes one to lose his temper or retaliate in some vengeful way."
-Quote from page 118
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Psalm 119:11 NIV
The Discussion Guide included at the back of the book stimulates meaningful interaction in small groups, Bible studies, Christian growth classes, as well as being suitable for personal study and growth in Christ.
This is definitely a book to be kept close at hand. Highly recommended!
⭐️️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
"... the gospel is a vital gift from God not only for our salvation but also to enable us to deal with the ongoing activity of sin in our lives. So we still need the gospel every day."
I did an independent study of one of the books on our WMS reading list for this year. "Respectable Sins" by Jerry Bridges is based on Scripture. In his admonitions, Jerry offers a message of hope in the profound mercy of the gospel and the transforming grace of God as a means to overcome our "respectable sins."
"Whatever happened to Sin? Have Christians become so preoccupied with the major sins of our society that we have lost sight of our need to deal with our own more subtle sins? Jerry Bridges addresses a dozen clusters of specific "acceptable" sins that we tend to tolerate in ourselves - such as jealousy, anger, judgmentalism, selfishness," self-control and pride.
Jerry Bridges gives Bible verses to memorize that should be helpful in battling specific sins. He also gives directions for dealing with sins:
"*Apply the gospel.
*Depend on the Holy Spirit.
*Recognize your responsibility.
*Identify specific respectable sins.
*Memorize and apply appropriate Scriptures.
*Cultivate the practice of prayer.
*Involve one or a few other believers with you. "
"Some people justify their anger as righteous anger. How then, can I know if my anger is righteous anger? First, righteous anger arises from an accurate perception of true evil - that is, as a violation of God's moral law. It focuses on God and His will, not on me and my will. Second, righteous anger is always self-controlled. It never causes one to lose his temper or retaliate in some vengeful way."
-Quote from page 118
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen."
Ephesians 4:29 NIV
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
Psalm 119:11 NIV
The Discussion Guide included at the back of the book stimulates meaningful interaction in small groups, Bible studies, Christian growth classes, as well as being suitable for personal study and growth in Christ.
This is definitely a book to be kept close at hand. Highly recommended!
⭐️️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
January 20, 2023
This book REALLY makes you think. If you read this book prayerfully and really consider what is being conveyed, it helps considerably with your santifaction process.
There are a lot of "ouchies" and bruises that come from reading this book. But they are great ouchies and bruises that heal to a much stronger and fulfilled life.
There are a lot of "ouchies" and bruises that come from reading this book. But they are great ouchies and bruises that heal to a much stronger and fulfilled life.
January 30, 2022
An excellent book - and what an open, insightful look into the heart with its’ subtle sinfulness. I found it convicting, simple to read, and often painful in a sanctifying way. The emphasis on the gospel is beautifully presented throughout the book. This will definitely be a re-read!
April 2, 2021
So so convicting. I will revisit this book often. I have much work to do in my holiness.
March 15, 2024
Ouch. This one hits top of the charts when it comes to conviction. Really enjoyed this and I’d say it’s a must read each year - if not daily!
February 29, 2024
I think a lot of times I stray away from Christian literature because I should just be reading the Bible. It’s easy to replace the Word with books that provide new words that don’t seem redundant in the sense that you’ve read them 10000 times. But, there’s good in reading secondary resources too, and this book is a necessary read, in my opinion.
I think through his candidness, Bridges sheds light on “respectable” sins we just gloss over in everyday life, or that we don’t even acknowledge as sinful. There were times while I was reading in which I hadn’t even recognized that a habit of mine was sinful.
Bottom line, this is an easy read with non-complex wording and quick chapters, but that pack a punch and get you thinking.
Read it now!
I think through his candidness, Bridges sheds light on “respectable” sins we just gloss over in everyday life, or that we don’t even acknowledge as sinful. There were times while I was reading in which I hadn’t even recognized that a habit of mine was sinful.
Bottom line, this is an easy read with non-complex wording and quick chapters, but that pack a punch and get you thinking.
Read it now!
July 11, 2023
Updated Review: It's interesting coming back around to this book (which was one of my favorites in college) 8 years later. There's parts of this book that are quite timeless--and that hit home even more in 2023. There are some aspects of this book that I was skeptical of in 2023 (such as his warnings against politics becoming an idol) that I've been very much persuaded of in the intervening eight years. And, just like last time around, certain chapters were very convicting.
That being said, this time around, I also found myself more aware of the book's inadequacies. Bridges' chapters touching on depression and anxiety did not have the nuance I would have hoped for. And I worry that folks struggling with mental illness will find Bridges' advice (which focuses on moral problems and doesn't seem to have a real category for mental illness) unhelpful. Other chapters, like his chapters on anger, while helpful and convicting, also don't have much to say about the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger. As someone who's struggled with distinguishing between these at times, I wished he would have delved into more nuance in these areas.
As a whole, I think many of my challenges with this book the second time around come down to the fact that Bridges is trying to address 12+ issues in one 150-page book. There isn't enough time to deal with each of them with the nuance that requires. And so while some chapters are brilliant, others feel like they're broad-brushing an issue in ways that really aren't helpful.
Useful book to discuss in a small group setting. But I didn't find it to be as consistently helpful as I did back in 2015.
Updated Review: 3.5 Stars (Fairly Good).
--
Original Review: Convicting book that revealed the depth of my own sin and caused me to repent and resolve to more rigorously seek to drive them out of my life, through the Spirit's help. Bridges drives right to the issues of the different sins he works through as he shows us our constant need for greater sanctification through the Spirit because of the continual presence of sin in our lives. I chose to focus on two or three sins that convicted me the most, but I know there are other "respectable sins" that he mentions that I will also need to work on in the future. A book to be read thoughtfully, prayerfully, and repeatedly.
Original Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
That being said, this time around, I also found myself more aware of the book's inadequacies. Bridges' chapters touching on depression and anxiety did not have the nuance I would have hoped for. And I worry that folks struggling with mental illness will find Bridges' advice (which focuses on moral problems and doesn't seem to have a real category for mental illness) unhelpful. Other chapters, like his chapters on anger, while helpful and convicting, also don't have much to say about the difference between righteous and unrighteous anger. As someone who's struggled with distinguishing between these at times, I wished he would have delved into more nuance in these areas.
As a whole, I think many of my challenges with this book the second time around come down to the fact that Bridges is trying to address 12+ issues in one 150-page book. There isn't enough time to deal with each of them with the nuance that requires. And so while some chapters are brilliant, others feel like they're broad-brushing an issue in ways that really aren't helpful.
Useful book to discuss in a small group setting. But I didn't find it to be as consistently helpful as I did back in 2015.
Updated Review: 3.5 Stars (Fairly Good).
--
Original Review: Convicting book that revealed the depth of my own sin and caused me to repent and resolve to more rigorously seek to drive them out of my life, through the Spirit's help. Bridges drives right to the issues of the different sins he works through as he shows us our constant need for greater sanctification through the Spirit because of the continual presence of sin in our lives. I chose to focus on two or three sins that convicted me the most, but I know there are other "respectable sins" that he mentions that I will also need to work on in the future. A book to be read thoughtfully, prayerfully, and repeatedly.
Original Rating: 4.5 Stars (Excellent).
December 15, 2021
If you have ever struggled to identify your sins, believe you are a sinner, or really mourn this reality, this book is for you! A call to any Christian who feels comfortably oblivious to those sins of the heart— only because they aren’t always as obvious as our neighbors’— Bridges will make you uncomfortable. It’s clear and direct, which makes it easy to read… and also a hard pill to swallow. What’s even more convicting than reading about the sins of ungodliness, selfishness, irritability, anger, and envy (to name just a few) in yourself? Reading about those sins and still finding it easier to see them in others.
This book does the dirty work of finding those sins that fester in the dark corners of our hearts and pointedly invites us to bring them to light. Bridges also continually reminds us of the gospel: the only way to bring these things to the light as we confess them and, as Paul writes, “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5.8). He continues in an exhortation which aligns with the crux of Bridges’ book, urging us to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them… when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light” (Eph. 5.13-14).
This book does the dirty work of finding those sins that fester in the dark corners of our hearts and pointedly invites us to bring them to light. Bridges also continually reminds us of the gospel: the only way to bring these things to the light as we confess them and, as Paul writes, “walk as children of light” (Eph. 5.8). He continues in an exhortation which aligns with the crux of Bridges’ book, urging us to “take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness, but instead expose them… when anything is exposed by the light, it becomes visible, for anything that becomes visible is light” (Eph. 5.13-14).
August 1, 2019
This book was a five star book all the way. In this book Bridges addresses some of the "little" sins that we find more acceptable, and explains why they are a problem, and how to overcome them through a focus on the Gospel. I was challenged and convicted and encouraged! I got so much out of this book, and I should probably read it again (after I check out Bridges' other works). HIGHLY recommend!
August 4, 2021
Phenomenal Book! If you haven't read this, go buy it now and start reading immediately. Jerry Bridges does so well at writing simply, saying it like it is, and pointing out your little pet sins. Many times through this book I was deeply convicted and I've brought up something from it in almost every conversation.
I particularly liked his chapters on ungodliness, unthankfulness, and jealousy.
I particularly liked his chapters on ungodliness, unthankfulness, and jealousy.
December 26, 2023
{Full review posted here: https://www.amberthiessen.com/post/re...}
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)
What a powerful prayer!
One that unravels the pride and self-righteousness bound tightly around our hearts, seeking instead to open up those dark, secret places of our hearts, willing light to shine and the Spirit sweep the cobwebs.
It’s like the surgeon, performing a laparoscopic procedure. He usually has a good idea of what he’s going to find, but sometimes, once he’s got the camera in real close, he can see evidence of other problems or a reason for the symptoms. When we understand the problem, we can move to treatment.
For those of us in the church today, we’re prone to the speck-log dichotomy, where the “big” sins of others seem obvious but the “little” sins of our own are quietly tucked away in a corner growing cobwebs, often unseen until closely inspected.
But, do I want to be examined?
When the wave of shame easily washes over us, crushing us under the weight of all our imperfections, this prayer seems fearsome. The threat to our identity hangs in the balance if we gaze too deeply at our own sins.
However, I remember this plea, “lead me in the way everlasting.”
Here’s where I want to be. Led closer to Christ. Invited nearer to the gospel of grace.
In Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges takes us into the realm of sins we ignore, justify or accept, so that we may grow in grace and more into likeness of Christ.
I echo these words by J.I. Packer: “Read this book—we need to—and be ready for a gentle surgeon’s sharp knife.”
Purpose:
This resource is written to help Christians open their eyes to the sins we’ve come to deem as acceptable, then lead us to confession, repentance and dependent upon God’s grace.
Summary:
Though you see plenty of chapters, it’s not a thick book. However, don’t expect to breeze through the pages. If you approach this prayerfully, you’ll find it also painful—the healthy discomfort of the Spirit bringing your sin to light.
The first six chapters provide a biblical framework of sin and repentance. The rest of the book focuses on specific sins the church doesn’t address as robustly as “big” sins. The point is to look at all our sin as a problem we need to confront and address in our Christian life.
The end of the book provides a study guide for personal reflection or group discussions. I liked that it includes a section for action points and progress reports for accountability.
My Recommendation:
This author doesn’t mince words. He’s fairly direct and to the point. I say this to prepare you for the journey you’ll undertake. You’ll notice he uses many personal examples to remind the reader sin is stuck in all of us; I found a good balance between honesty and humility.
I’d posit the chapter on anxiety would benefit from added nuance; his approach I found a little narrow here.
I’d also say this is a 5 star read, one that would be helpful for all believers.
If you’ve been working through a period of self-righteousness, find yourself aggressively condemning the sin of others without the lens of humble awareness of your own sin, I’d invite you to check this out.
If you’ve been in the church a long time and feel like you’re doing pretty good, this resource would help you find areas of growth.
If, however, you’re struggling right now with acute OCD and anxiety, this book may not be the best approach until you’ve got some tools to mitigate the overload of information.
Quick Stats:
# of Pages: 192
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*Visit the full review on the blog :)
“Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!” (Ps 139:23-24)
What a powerful prayer!
One that unravels the pride and self-righteousness bound tightly around our hearts, seeking instead to open up those dark, secret places of our hearts, willing light to shine and the Spirit sweep the cobwebs.
It’s like the surgeon, performing a laparoscopic procedure. He usually has a good idea of what he’s going to find, but sometimes, once he’s got the camera in real close, he can see evidence of other problems or a reason for the symptoms. When we understand the problem, we can move to treatment.
For those of us in the church today, we’re prone to the speck-log dichotomy, where the “big” sins of others seem obvious but the “little” sins of our own are quietly tucked away in a corner growing cobwebs, often unseen until closely inspected.
But, do I want to be examined?
When the wave of shame easily washes over us, crushing us under the weight of all our imperfections, this prayer seems fearsome. The threat to our identity hangs in the balance if we gaze too deeply at our own sins.
However, I remember this plea, “lead me in the way everlasting.”
Here’s where I want to be. Led closer to Christ. Invited nearer to the gospel of grace.
In Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges takes us into the realm of sins we ignore, justify or accept, so that we may grow in grace and more into likeness of Christ.
I echo these words by J.I. Packer: “Read this book—we need to—and be ready for a gentle surgeon’s sharp knife.”
Purpose:
This resource is written to help Christians open their eyes to the sins we’ve come to deem as acceptable, then lead us to confession, repentance and dependent upon God’s grace.
Summary:
Though you see plenty of chapters, it’s not a thick book. However, don’t expect to breeze through the pages. If you approach this prayerfully, you’ll find it also painful—the healthy discomfort of the Spirit bringing your sin to light.
The first six chapters provide a biblical framework of sin and repentance. The rest of the book focuses on specific sins the church doesn’t address as robustly as “big” sins. The point is to look at all our sin as a problem we need to confront and address in our Christian life.
The end of the book provides a study guide for personal reflection or group discussions. I liked that it includes a section for action points and progress reports for accountability.
My Recommendation:
This author doesn’t mince words. He’s fairly direct and to the point. I say this to prepare you for the journey you’ll undertake. You’ll notice he uses many personal examples to remind the reader sin is stuck in all of us; I found a good balance between honesty and humility.
I’d posit the chapter on anxiety would benefit from added nuance; his approach I found a little narrow here.
I’d also say this is a 5 star read, one that would be helpful for all believers.
If you’ve been working through a period of self-righteousness, find yourself aggressively condemning the sin of others without the lens of humble awareness of your own sin, I’d invite you to check this out.
If you’ve been in the church a long time and feel like you’re doing pretty good, this resource would help you find areas of growth.
If, however, you’re struggling right now with acute OCD and anxiety, this book may not be the best approach until you’ve got some tools to mitigate the overload of information.
Quick Stats:
# of Pages: 192
Level of Difficulty: Easy
My Rating: 5 stars
*Visit the full review on the blog :)
June 16, 2013
My mom had recommended this book some time ago, but it took me a while to pick it up. And it took me a while to get into it...the first six chapters are about sin's malignancy, remedy, and the Holy Spirit's power in dealing with sin. I read them quickly, thinking, "yeah, yeah, I already know this." But when I got to the seventh chapter, on ungodliness, I was hooked. Bridges is spot-on in saying that Christians tolerate these sins, even making excuses for them, rather than dealing with them. I think this idea really struck me because I recently read "North and South" by Elizabeth Gaskell, a novel set in Victorian England. The heroic characters in that novel, as in the works of Jane Austen, are noble people who would not think of drawing attention to one's self for any reason, who strive to live at peace with others, and who are humble and kind. In short, they struggle against the sins of lack of self-control, impatience and irritability, anger, envy, jealousy, etc. Even when wronged, they purposefully respond in a charitable manner. How interesting, that we have fallen so far from that model of holiness and now value vulgar self-expression and 'honesty' in its place! I come away from "Respectable Sins" more convicted than ever of my own sinfulness and with a reminder of how God sees my sin. I cannot make excuses for it based on my circumstances, but must always try to do what pleases God.
January 20, 2013
Someone at church had this book and I asked her what the title could possibly mean. She smiled and said that the author believed that there are any number of sins which we deem respectable in our modern life. I am curious to see if I suffer from them all or not. I doubt I wil be disappointed.
Indeed I was not disappointed when I sat down to read this book. It did take quite a bit longer and I just noticed that I had not completed my review. The primary reason for that is that I read the book in pieces... and let each of them digest. to do otherwise would have, at least in my case, been unconscionable... and hence another respectable sin.
The book subtly makes the case for seemingly small things being the basis for how we view the world at large, how we treat it and how it deals with us. Sometimes this a a bucket of cold water in your face on a chilly morning. In my case, I am sorry to say, that on several occasions it resulted in initial denial which I attempted to read through, as it were. The worst part about these sins is that I somehow doubt that I will be done with them all that quickly. Just as it is when we empty our hearts of one sin, we need to be very careful not to allow the void to welcome several more and perhaps more malevolent sins. this is definitely a book to be kept close at hand.
Indeed I was not disappointed when I sat down to read this book. It did take quite a bit longer and I just noticed that I had not completed my review. The primary reason for that is that I read the book in pieces... and let each of them digest. to do otherwise would have, at least in my case, been unconscionable... and hence another respectable sin.
The book subtly makes the case for seemingly small things being the basis for how we view the world at large, how we treat it and how it deals with us. Sometimes this a a bucket of cold water in your face on a chilly morning. In my case, I am sorry to say, that on several occasions it resulted in initial denial which I attempted to read through, as it were. The worst part about these sins is that I somehow doubt that I will be done with them all that quickly. Just as it is when we empty our hearts of one sin, we need to be very careful not to allow the void to welcome several more and perhaps more malevolent sins. this is definitely a book to be kept close at hand.
September 11, 2024
Christians who have spent a long time in the church tend to quickly judge the outside world for their flagrant immorality while coddling and making excuses for our more private and “acceptable” sins. In this book, Jerry Bridges doesn’t let us get away with even the most benign “struggles.” I was most convicted by his frank evaluations of ungodliness, anxiety, frustration, and gossip. But I also loved how he consistently reminded his readers that we do not fight this battle against the flesh alone, but that the mercy and grace afforded us by the cross and resurrection of Christ has given us all that we need to achieve victory in these areas. Highly recommend, this one is deeply humbling.
March 9, 2024
O carte care merita sa fie parcursa cu pasi mici, pe capitole. Jerry Bridges reuseste sa readuca in atentia cititorului aspecte importante ce tin de morala si de procesul de sfintire. Mai important de atat, reuseste sa ne reaminteasca si sa demascheze acele pacate “mici”, care trec drept acceptabile in randul nostru, insa de care avem aceeasi mare nevoie de iertare si de renuntare.
April 8, 2018
Great book to read while my pastor works through Ephesians. Completely Gospel-centered, straightforward, and pastoral. Also loved the emphasis on God’s sovereignty and the helpful scriptures suggested to memorize. Highly recommended.
April 22, 2021
This books was so helpful in highlighting specific sins that we are tempted with as Christians that often go unnoticed. Its helpful to be able to have a specific name for some of these sins and a clearer understanding of what they are. I’m looking forward to re-reading this one.
August 4, 2021
good book, I recommend it! Addresses those sins that we accept, and includes what the Bible says on this issue. Convicting, and a perfect book for a small group book study!
5 stars out of 5.
5 stars out of 5.
October 21, 2021
Fantastic book. It provides a convicting look at sins we often ignore and condone in our lives. This is definitely a book every Christian should read!
October 19, 2024
I WISH I COULD GIVE THIS BOOK MORE THAN 5 STARS!!! ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It was SO convicting. It really showed me areas in my life that need to be worked on, and the study guide in the back of the book really helped me understand more, and not just to READ the book, but to KNOW the book. To understand and to ask God to help me with sins I find “respectable.” Such an awesome find, 11/10 would ABSOLUTELY recommend!
June 18, 2024
The overall theme of highlighting the sins we usually ignore was great, but the chapters going into each sin only gave a cursory overview without really getting into the weeds of things - good starting off point for discussion though
May 30, 2024
This book is shockingly good. As I was reading (listening to the audiobook), I filled up lists of things I needed to repent of, ways that I should approach my own sins and those of others, helpful perspectives, and good ways to pray. Nothing in this book was particularly complicated or required the exegesis of difficult passages, just careful attention to the places we have gone sin-blind. It was entirely rooted in the gospel, earnestly exhorting us to holy living without becoming legalistic, detached, unactionable, or extrapolating upon the biblical text. The whole thing is predicated on fighting sins with God as your Father, no longer as your judge because of the blood of Christ. This book is accessible to people who rarely read Christian nonfiction but applicable to people who are well-educated in that world and they will readily find many helpful points. Just read this book.
August 12, 2023
Highly anticipated book for me! Not what I was expecting but worth reading nonetheless:)
The chapters are pretty short and the author covers so many respectable sins, so there really isn’t a deep dive into them at all.
This became a problem when he was explaining dealing with other people sinning against you and how we are to handle it, I felt like it needed a more nuanced conversation but because the chapters are so short we aren’t afforded that.
I was convicted throughout my reading and I love how the author continues to tell his readers to stop to pray and search our hearts and ask God to show us where these sins are infecting us, and to ask our brothers and sisters around us to help us see them too! It felt like he was talking to you, not just reading material.
Happy to check it off my TBR list! 🫶🏼
The chapters are pretty short and the author covers so many respectable sins, so there really isn’t a deep dive into them at all.
This became a problem when he was explaining dealing with other people sinning against you and how we are to handle it, I felt like it needed a more nuanced conversation but because the chapters are so short we aren’t afforded that.
I was convicted throughout my reading and I love how the author continues to tell his readers to stop to pray and search our hearts and ask God to show us where these sins are infecting us, and to ask our brothers and sisters around us to help us see them too! It felt like he was talking to you, not just reading material.
Happy to check it off my TBR list! 🫶🏼
September 8, 2023
Don't read this book unless you are ready to get spiritually purged!! I thought I was properly prepared to be convicted, but this book exposes so many areas of sin in our life that we so easily neglect. The author tactfully challenges our hearts and minds to reject lukewarm Christianity and truly fight sin.
(My only real disagreement with this book is the author's view on coorperate worship practices being merely preferences)
(My only real disagreement with this book is the author's view on coorperate worship practices being merely preferences)
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