We often categorize sin.
Big sins.
Little sins.
Serious sins.
Harmless sins.
And because something seems small to us, we can convince ourselves that God probably isn’t concerned about it.
But renewing our minds means allowing God’s Word to challenge the way we think about sin, obedience, and surrender.
The better question isn’t simply, “How bad is this?”
It’s: “What is God asking me to surrender?”
Jehu Obeyed God…Almost
The story of Jehu in 2 Kings 10 gives us a sobering picture.
Jehu obeyed God in significant ways. He destroyed the house of Ahab and cleansed Israel of Baal worship. Scripture even tells us that God acknowledged what Jehu had done.
But there was one thing Jehu wouldn’t surrender.
He continued in the sins of Jeroboam and allowed the golden calves at Bethel and Dan to remain.
He obeyed God in one area while holding onto disobedience in another.
And that’s where this story becomes uncomfortably familiar.
We can read our Bibles, pray, attend church, serve, give, encourage others, and even teach God’s Word—while there is still something we know God is asking us to surrender.
Maybe it’s bitterness.
Maybe it’s gossip we call “concern.”
Maybe it’s entertainment we know isn’t good for our hearts.
Maybe it’s dishonesty, anger, an unhealthy relationship, or something no one else knows about.
But God knows.
Renewing Our Minds Means Removing the Excuses
One of the ways our minds need to be renewed is in how we justify our compromises.
We can think:
“It’s not that bad.”
“Everyone does it.”
“At least I’m doing these other things for God.”
But obedience in one area doesn’t excuse disobedience in another.
And this isn’t about living in fear that God will reject us every time we stumble.
There is a difference between falling into sin and choosing to walk in sin.
When the Holy Spirit convicts us, we don’t have to hide, defend, minimize, or rationalize.
We can simply say:
“Lord, You’re right. I surrender this to You.”
That’s part of renewing our minds.
We begin seeing sin not merely as a list of rules we’ve broken, but as something that affects our relationship with the God who loves us.
Grace doesn’t make sin unimportant.
Grace makes obedience possible.
What Are You Still Holding On To?
Maybe today isn’t about finding everything you’re doing wrong.
Maybe it’s about asking God one simple question:
“Lord, is there anything I’m holding onto that You are asking me to surrender?”
Don’t ask so you can condemn yourself.
Ask because you want your heart to be completely His.
Sometimes the thing we call “small” is the very thing God is inviting us to lay down.
You don’t have to hold on to it.
You can surrender it today.
Read the full post: “Does God Really Care About Little Sins”?
P.S. If the Holy Spirit brings something to mind as you read this, don’t rush past it. Take a few minutes to pray: “Lord, You can have this, too.”
🌿 Ready to Walk This Out?
Knowing what God says is one thing. Learning to live from that truth is another.
That’s why I created Walk With Me—a private daily Bible coaching experience where we take what we’re learning in God’s Word and put it into practice together.
If you’re ready to go beyond simply reading about renewing your mind and begin intentionally replacing old patterns of thinking with God’s truth, come walk with me.
👉 Join Walk With Me and let’s take the next step together.