Is a Penny Worth the Trouble?

Have you ever tried to pull something out of your pocket and found that a bunch of change came with it? The item you are retrieving stays in your hand, but the change goes flying all around and clanging to the floor. Quarters, dimes, nickels and pennies scatter across the area surrounding your feet.
Now, when you are getting over the embarrassment of this act of clumsiness, there is a decision to be made. Are the coins worth picking up? For most people quarters would be readily reached for and returned to the pocket. Dimes and nickels may take a little consideration, but these too are often deemed worth the trouble. But what about the penny? Do you really want to exert the energy and face the continued embarrassment of those around you to pick up a penny or two? Or would you rather just leave them behind?
We can sometimes react to the sin in our lives in much the same manner. Circumstances can occur that cause the sin to be exposed. It is often easy to determine that we must take care of what we would consider the big or quarter size sins. This would be the obvious behaviors and flawed attitudes that can cause serious repercussions in our lives. The ten commandments are a good example of what would fall into this category. (See Exodus 20:1-17)
Then there can be the less obvious sin that comes to light through circumstances and the Word of God. Like picking up the dime and the nickel, we may be a little more reluctant to deal with these because we do not see the big deal that they are. Although all sin is a fault or failure to live up to the standard of God’s Word, these may seem a little more common to all. Gossip, slander, laziness and “small” lies may fall in this category. The apostle Paul created a list of sins in the letter to the Galatians. “Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like.” (Galatians 5:19-21a AMP) Although we may rank the seriousness of various sins, he does not. There may be resistance to the need to confess and turn away from these, yet eventually, the conviction of the Holy Spirit will make the matter clear to us. And if the heart is truly seeking God, we will both confess and get this sin out of our lives.
But what about the “penny” sins in our lives. These are the ones that seem relatively harmless. Did that one harsh word spoken really matter all that much? That one, little bad attitude we are harboring or that one unkind comment about a friend; were they really that bad? If the Lord brings these to our attention, then these small sins are definitely worth repenting of. And then, any action God calls us to must be obeyed quickly. He always has only our best interests in mind. The Lord desires to bring life to every tiny corner of our hearts. “Keep and guard your heart with all vigilance and above all that you guard, for out of it flow the springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 AMP)

When our sins are brought to light, regardless of how big or small we consider them to be, we must be willing to respond. “Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says: Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts…” (Hebrews 3:7-8a AMP) It is against God that we have sinned and sin damages our relationship with Him. “Against You, You only, have I sinned and done that which is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified in Your sentence and faultless in Your judgment.” (Psalm 51:4 AMP) But when we confess and obey we are forgiven and restore that relationship. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]—then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]! For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray—pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him.” (Psalm 32:5-6 AMP) 

So if the Lord shines a light on any area of your life, regardless of apparent seriousness, admit your error. confess your sin and obey whatever He instructs you to do. Do not consider any sin too small, but release it immediately.  It will be worth it!