What does "cherished sin" mean in the context of Psalm 66:18? The Verse in Focus Psalm 66:18: “If I had cherished iniquity in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.” Defining “Cherished Sin” • Sin that is welcomed, protected, or defended rather than confessed • An offense I know about yet refuse to surrender • A hidden idol cultivated in thoughts, attitudes, or habits • More than a stumble; it is ongoing, deliberate resistance to God’s rule Biblical Word Study • “Iniquity” (Hebrew aven): moral evil, crookedness, guilt • “Cherished” or “regarded” (Hebrew ra’ah): to look on with favor, to approve, to delight in • Combined meaning: knowingly looking with favor on evil in the heart and giving it room to stay How Cherished Sin Blocks Fellowship • Isaiah 59:2 — “It is your iniquities that have built barriers...” • Proverbs 28:13 — “He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper...” • 1 Peter 3:12 — “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous... but His face is against those who do evil.” • James 4:3-4 — Wrong motives and worldly friendship silence effective prayer. God remains all-powerful, yet He withholds attentive fellowship when sin is treasured. Illustrative Examples from Scripture • Achan hiding forbidden items (Joshua 7) • Saul sparing Amalek’s best livestock (1 Samuel 15) • Ananias and Sapphira keeping back part of the sale (Acts 5:1-11) Each instance involved known wrongdoing deliberately held back, and each drew swift divine discipline. Spotting Cherished Sin in Everyday Life • Defending an entertainment choice that feeds lust or violence • Clinging to bitterness or refusing forgiveness • Persisting in dishonest business practices while excusing them • Harboring secret addictions and guarding them from exposure • Entering relationships that consistently pull the heart away from Christ • Justifying envy, pride, or critical speech instead of repenting Turning Away: Steps to Forsake Cherished Sin 1. Agree with God about the seriousness of the sin (Psalm 51:4). 2. Confess it honestly and specifically (1 John 1:9). 3. Renounce and remove whatever feeds it (Acts 19:18-19). 4. Receive cleansing through the finished work of Christ (Hebrews 9:14). 5. Replace old patterns with obedient action (Romans 13:14). 6. Seek accountability and prayer support (James 5:16). Assurance and Hope After Repentance • Psalm 66:19-20: “But God has surely heard; He has attended to the sound of my prayer. Blessed be God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld from me His loving devotion!” • Psalm 32:5 confirms that confessed sin is forgiven and guilt removed. • Clean fellowship restores joy, clarity in prayer, and renewed usefulness in God’s service. |
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