Politically Correct Names

Photo by: Felicia Buitenwerf

When you hear the word sin what comes to mind? The Bible lists various names for sin, such as liar, idolatry, thief, fornicator, murderer, unforgiving, adulterer, etc. God recorded this list to show mankind what is in their hearts. We are told in Jeremiah 17:9 “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?”

Mankind, since the fall of man, does not want to accept the fact we have deceitful hearts, so they decided to rename sin! They have assigned “politically correct” names to sin hoping not to offend anyone, trying to make sin less than what it is! Politically correct names for sin does not not make the sin acceptable. We should never wink at sin calling sin other than what it is, this is sending a false message of acceptance.

Due to the fall, as recorded in the Book of Genesis, everyone is born a sinner and Psalms 51:5 confirms it when king David says “I am born into sin and shaped in iniquity.” Roman’s 1:18-32 gives a good explanation as to why society feel a need to give “politically correct” names to sin. They believe changing the names of sin will lessen the severity mentally and to society. Their goal historically has been to make certain sins “the norm.” The real truth, many don’t want to come under the authority of God. Changing the names for sin doesn’t heal one’s heart, it just deceives it!

Sin separates us from God and hardens our hearts against the truth of how sin is like cancer that can eventually destroy our soul. Our heart is the issue of our life, so we need to keep it purged for sin.

If sin weren’t so destructive we wouldn’t need a Savior! Jesus said He came to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10); and in Mark 2:17 Jesus said, “….They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Jesus is saying those that commit sin are sick, are called sinners, and they are lost. The cure for sin of any type or degree is repentance and salvation.

Calling sin with “politically correct” names doesn’t make that individual whole or healthy! Let’s call sin, sin and communicate to individuals there is a cure. That cure is Jesus! He can heal any sin, sick diseased heart!