Respectable Sins Discussion Guide: Confronting the Sins We Tolerate

by Jerry Bridges

Why are some sins considered worse than others?

This discussion guide to Navigator author Jerry Bridges' Respectable Sins helps us evaluate how we regard sins we tend to overlook. Through probing discussion questions, this guide helps you work through anger, jealousy, pride, and more while looking to God for His grace and forgiveness.

• 8 lessons

Genres: Christian Living, Christian, Theology, Christianity, Christian Non Fiction, Nonfiction, Spirituality

96 pages, Paperback

First published August 24, 2007

About the author

JERRY BRIDGES was an author and conference speaker. His most popular book, The Pursuit of Holiness, has sold over one million copies. Jerry was on the staff of The Navigators for over fifty years, and currently served in the Collegiate Mission where he was involved primarily in staff development, but also served as a speaker resource to the campus ministries.

Reviews

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is centered around an interesting and useful premise: that there are ubiquitous areas of sin in every Christian's life which have become so commonplace as to seem normal and acceptable. Author Jerry Bridges scores quite a few points along the way, and Christians of every stripe should find much value between these covers. However, Bridges states early and often that he is writing to a "conservative evangelical" audience, and this is precisely where he is likely to lose many readers, since it implies a stance with regard to doctrine which not every believer is going to agree with. My own views are considerably more moderate than those expressed by the author, so while there was much of value to me in this book, there were definitely some head-scratching moments as well. In the end, a clear tone is set: conservative evangelicalism is the singular correct Christian position for all believers to hold. In adopting such a tone in such an unambiguous manner, Bridges seems to fall prey to an "acceptable sin" of his own.

Furthermore, Bridges also falls into a common error made by many Christian writers who seem unaware that they are immersed in Christian thought to a much greater degree than the average reader is. In other words, Jerry Bridges and writers like him are focused on Christian thought and subject matter during 100% of their workday; it's their career. It is all well and good to write that we should give thanks to God continually, in every instance, at all times, without pause or interruption. But the fact is that some of us have deadlines to meet, reports to write or read, e-mails to respond to. Bridges seems to imply -- unwittingly, of course -- that, as Christians, we should be permanently locked into a meditative communion with God which is simply unrealistic for even the most devout Christian who is not working in or for a ministry. At the root of this stridency is the brow-beating implication that anyone who drifts from this state of total, constant communion with God is to be condemned for exactly those "subtle sins" which this book addresses. I do not understand Jesus to be such a harsh taskmaster as this.

Finally, Bridges' examples of sin within his own life are, like those of many Christian writers and leaders, watered-down. It would surprise me if his sinful nature was limited to the rather tame examples he is willing to expose in his writing, and this is a real problem among Christian leadership. I don't mean to impute any specific sin to Jerry Bridges without knowing the man or his history. But, in general, we rarely, if ever, hear a Christian leader step up to the plate and state, unequivocally: "I have committed adultery." Or, "I have stolen money." Or, "I have hit my spouse." Or, "I have taken drugs." Confession, as they say, is good for the soul, but there appears to be one sauce for the goose and another for the gander when it comes to our leadership.

Not bad. But no masterpiece.

[Angi · Rating 2 out of 5]

I LOVED Jerry Bridges' book Respectable Sins. The workbook (written by someone else) was severely lacking, however. It didn't cover some key points in the book - like chapter 6's Directions for Dealing with Sin - which I thought was the most important chapter in the whole book because it showed us how to apply what we were learning. It just skipped right over the directions after Jerry spent a whole chapter emphasizing them. The workbook doesn't even included the final chapter on Worldliness or much of a summation of what you learned - which Chapter 21 covers in the original. Pretty disappointed in the workbook but still loved going through Respectable Sins with my small group.

[Moises · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great idea for a book, but not a very good delivery. Way too many personal anecdotes that I did not find relatable or applicable. I found his examples of these sins often silly and trite. I don't expect him to put his dirty laundry for the world to see, but they often felt very superficial. His writing style was also very boring.

This is a great primer for someone who hasn't thought about this issue and has not reflected on it before. Or a good start for what could become great discussion between friends.

[Aaron · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do modern evangelicals care about their smaller sins? In Respectable Sins, Jerry Bridges shows how our subtle sins must still be addressed and overcome by the Gospel.

Sanctified and Set Apart

Opening with 1 Corinthians, Bridges begins his book by examining what it means to be a sanctified and set apart saint. Consistency in our calling means we must combat our sin. For conservative evangelicals, we are more prone to look outside of ourselves at the sins of others. Bridges challenges us to look within. By comparing sin to cancer, Bridges shows how sin can seem benign, but later metastasize. It is malignant.

The 9-week small group curriculum in this book is excellent. Suggested prayers, group talking points, and prompts for personal reflection and answer points are included. This book can be used well in a small-group setting or for personal devotions.

The Gospel and the Holy Spirit

The Gospel and the power of the Holy Spirit is the only solution for our sin. Identifying our subtle sins, Scripture and prayer, and involving other believers are several steps Bridges suggests before diving into specific sins.

What I appreciate most is how Bridges explains why some of these sins are actual sins against God. When speaking on anxiety, Bridges says that it is a distrust of God and a lack of acceptance of God’s providence in our lives. This gives an imperative as to why this sin is unacceptable. Tied with anxiety are worry and frustration, and Bridges does not pull any punches when addressing these sins.

Discontentment and Pride

When dealing with discontentment, Bridges brings us to Psalm 139:16. Our situations and circumstances bring about disappointment, but we must see God’s hand behind it all. Our Heavenly Father gives us what is good for us and what will bring him glory.

When dealing with pride, Bridges breaks it down to show us the different ways it may be displayed in our lives. Moral self-righteousness, pride of correct doctrine, pride of achievement, and an independent spirit are addressed. Selfishness is connected, and we see how love must overcome these sins.

Humility and Holiness

I was most impacted by the chapter on impatience, irritability, and anger. I saw how my anger towards others is actually anger towards God. A bonus study on “Battling Anger’s ‘Noxious Weeds’” further assessed my sins of resentment, bitterness, holding a grudge, and strife. I’m humbled but thankful for the help and practical wisdom in this book.

The book ends by looking at judgmentalism and sins of the tongue, as well as lack of self-control, envy, and jealousy. Competitiveness and controlling must be killed. Money, immorality, and idolatry are manifestations of worldliness. We must be in the world, not of the world. Unfortunately, modern Christians are sometimes difficult to tell apart from atheists. Christ calls us to more. He calls us to holiness. He calls us to kill even the subtle sins. He calls us to overcome.

I received a media copy of Respectable Sins and this is my honest review.

[Supra Dee · Rating 4 out of 5]

A decent book... Talks about all types of sins and how how sins cause health issues , mental illness, and back luck... The book does a good job and how important it is to fix all Sins since unconfessed sins will build up until alll hell breaks loose in the persons reality...I agree with the author Sins causes all health issues, mental issues and addiction problems , the issue is these build up of unconfessed sins brings in a build up of subtle unseen negative force that causes havoc on the physical body and mind, and this unseen force is demons and Satan. A must read book

[Ashleigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good and very convicting. I would, and have, recommend this book to any one and everyone who wants to walk closer with Christ.

[Smiley · Rating 3 out of 5]

The discussion points are incredibly helpful for independent study. Or, with a group. This is a book I am now making it a point to read annual from now on.

[Sara Curiel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved how he gave the framework for how each of these subtle sins are unbiblical and then gave really practical ways to put each one to death.

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is excellent. I haven't given it 5 stars because of the writing style - it's ok but largely functional writing without frills - but because of the content.

I read this together with a Christian friend, a couple chapters a week. It was fantastic. This book will challenge you in your complacent attitude to sin, lay bare the roots of subtle but pervasive and destructive sin. And most of all it will point you to the beauty of God, both in his gracious salvation and forgiveness, but also the beauty and goodness of his Law and the goodness of living his way.

Well worth a read. I'd recommend reading it with a good Christian friend.

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

The study guide isn't as good as the book it is based upon. That being said, it did help focus our group discussions. My biggest issue with the study guide is that it "jumped around" and did not follow the chapter order of the book. So, you could be reading in the book and it would refer to a prior chapter, but in the study guide, we hadn't gotten to that chapter yet because the author of the study guide had skipped over it to cover in a later chapter.

[Deante Partee · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book, in a gentle and pastoral way, stripped my soul bear and exposed many sins in my life that either I never considered or that others generally never thought to be a problem. If you are desiring to go a step further in killing your flesh, I highly recommend it.

[Faith · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book itself had depth and had good encouragement to take another look at our "good" Christian lives. This discussion guide did not add that much.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

Book is better than the study guide. I thought the questions belabored the otherwise good points.

[Len Staley · Rating 4 out of 5]

It went well with the book.

[Marguerite Harrell · Rating 4 out of 5]

We, my wonderful Care Group in my wonderful church family are currently reading this along with Respectable Sins. I am looking forward to learn a lot more in this.

[Mike Corgan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good study guide to the book.

[John Root]

So challenging. So good.

[Courtney Carrico · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very, very, very helpful! I read this for a summer book club with some of my closest friends and it was very convicting and sparked great conversation.