Having the proper attitude towards sin is sometimes challenging. This is because sin is so common in the world that we can easily get used to it. It is like the frog and boiling water fable. If you put a frog in boiling water, it would immediately try to jump out. However, if you put the frog in tepid water and slowly turned up the heat, it would allow itself to be boiled to death. Whether that is true or not, the principle is sound. In theory, the frog would get so used to the temperature of the water, as it is slowly turned up, that it would not realize that it is in danger before it is too late.

Sin can be like that boiling water. When a particular sin is slowly integrated into society, even Christians can get used to its temperature. We must determine not to allow this to happen to us. Sin should always be something we purposely avoid, at least whenever possible. To completely escape the presence of sin, we would have to leave this world (1 Corinthians 5:10), but we do not have to deliberately put ourselves in the midst of it.

Psalm 1:1 (ESV)
¹ Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;

This is a man who purposely avoids being in the presence of sin. What stands out to me is that he is avoiding, not just sinful things, but even sinful people. That is hard for us to digest today. Many Christians fail to see the danger of being around those who are ungodly. Paul, however, could see the danger clearly. The Psalmist seemed to accept this, and we would be wise to do so as well.

1 Corinthians 15:33 (ESV)
³³ Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Paul knew it was a struggle. That is why he said, “do not be deceived.” The saints at Corinth had a history of tolerating sin, but they were not the first, nor the last, to do so. Many Christians make the same mistake today.

To avoid this, we must develop a strong distaste for sin. This will help keep us out of the way of sinners. If we are appalled by sin, we will not want to be in the path of one who is practicing sin, even if we like the sinner. This is not a reflection on our feelings toward the sinner, only the sin itself. God loved us while we were yet sinners (Romans 5:8), and we should love sinners as well, but if we abhor sin, we will make a decision not to be around it, no matter who it is that is committing it.

If we want to be like the blessed man that the Psalmist describes, and we all should, we must develop his affection for the law of the Lord.

Psalm 1:2 (ESV)
² but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law, he meditates day and night.

If we love the LORD and His Word, we will have a distaste for sin. If we find ourselves not being bothered by sin, our love for God is lacking. It is just that simple. Let us meditate on the law of the LORD regularly. That will guard us against developing toleration for sin.

As you wind down for the night, think about these things.