What other scriptures warn against justifying sinful actions like Proverbs 30:20? Proverbs 30:20 — The Pattern Exposed “Such is the way of an adulteress: she eats and wipes her mouth and says, ‘I have done no wrong.’ ” Other Scriptures That Unmask the Same Self-Justification • Genesis 3:12–13 – Adam and Eve shift blame rather than own their disobedience. • Exodus 32:22–24 – Aaron excuses the golden calf: “You yourself know how prone these people are to evil.” • 1 Samuel 15:13–24 – Saul claims obedience while sparing Amalekite spoil; Samuel replies, “To obey is better than sacrifice.” • Job 31:33 – “Have I concealed my sin like Adam, hiding my guilt in my heart?” • Psalm 36:2 – “For in his own eyes he flatters himself too much to detect and hate his sin.” • Proverbs 14:9 – “Fools mock the guilt offering, but among the upright there is goodwill.” • Isaiah 5:20–21 – “Woe to those who call evil good and good evil… Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes.” • Jeremiah 2:35 – “You say, ‘I am innocent…’ Yet I will pass judgment on you because you say, ‘I have not sinned.’ ” • Malachi 3:13–15 – The people protest, “What have we spoken against You?” while living in unbelief. • Luke 10:29 – The lawyer, “desiring to justify himself,” asks, “Who is my neighbor?” • Luke 16:14–15 – The Pharisees justify themselves before men; God knows their hearts. • Romans 1:32 – They “approve of those who practice” the very sins they know deserve death. • 1 Corinthians 6:9–10 – Paul lists sins, then adds, “Do not be deceived.” • Galatians 6:7 – “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked.” • 1 John 1:8–10 – “If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves… If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him a liar.” Common Threads Highlighted by These Passages 1. Blame-shifting or denial (Genesis 3; Exodus 32; Jeremiah 2) 2. Redefining evil as acceptable (Isaiah 5; Romans 1) 3. Religious cover-ups (1 Samuel 15; Luke 16) 4. Self-righteous comparisons (Luke 10; Malachi 3) 5. Deafness to correction (Proverbs 14; Galatians 6) Living the Opposite Way • Keep short accounts with God—confess quickly (1 John 1:9). • Welcome searching truth (Psalm 139:23–24). • Measure actions by Scripture, not feelings (James 1:22–25). • Surround yourself with honest believers who speak the truth in love (Hebrews 3:13). • Remember that hidden sin never stays hidden (Ecclesiastes 12:14; Luke 12:2–3). The Word of God exposes every attempt to excuse wrongdoing. Instead of echoing, “I have done no wrong,” we’re invited to echo David’s humble cry, “Against You, You only, have I sinned” (Psalm 51:4). |
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