v4
And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof.
We shouldn't condone sin.
> We shouldn't condone sin.
ReplyDeleteWhat does that mean?
condone
ReplyDeleteto regard or treat (something bad or blameworthy) as acceptable, forgivable, or harmless
"condone." Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary. 2008.
Merriam-Webster Online. 10 October 2008
<http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/condone>
The American Heritage gives a more functional definition.
ReplyDelete"To overlook, forgive, or disregard (an offense) without protest or censure. See synonyms at forgive."
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
http://www.answers.com/condone
This has a much stronger social connotation than the MW suggests, which is more in line with the word's actual popular usage. And, from the post, it seems you yourself are referring to how we respond to the sin of others.
I think we both know what condone means. My inquiry was directed more at the specific implementation of this broad application. How should we not "overlook, forgive, disregard" others' sin, or treat it as "acceptable, forgivable or harmless"?
The Bible says that Lot vexed his righteous soul, living among the other godless citizens. Well, that would be one approach. Another would be to be like Abraham, who didn't mire himself down in the drama. He is seen in the story as the character who sweeps in and rescues Lot from his entanglements when he gets kidnapped. Of course Lot just goes right back into the city.
ReplyDeleteThe second time, Abraham resorts to long-distance intercession. Could it be that he learned something from the first rescue?
To me, "We shouldn't condone sin" means, You can be like Lot and just put up with things that are horribly wrong, or you be like Abraham, stand up, and refuse to accept things "as they are." We don't go around lamenting the situation, just complaining internally about how wrong it all is and woe is me!, determining an obedient (and therefore fake) emotional response, and that's just the way it is so too bad. No, we're supposed to stand up and do something about it.
In other words, there are no neutral observers, and there are no victims. If you're not a part of the solution, you're a part of the problem.