War Quote by J. Gresham Machen
““It will hardly be wise to adopt the suggestion… that we must stop treating the little sins as though they were big sins. That suggestion means apparently, that we must not worry too much about the little sins, but must let them remain unmolested. With regard to such an expedient, it may be suggested that in the moral battle: we are fighting against a very resourceful enemy, who does not reveal the position of his guns by desultory (lacking purpose) artillery actions when he plans a great attack. In the moral battle, as in the Great European War, the quiet sectors are usually the most dangerous. It’s through the “little sins” that Satan gains an entrance into our lives. Probably, therefore, it will be prudent to watch all sectors of the front and lose no time about introducing the unity of command.””
About This Quote
Source Book: The Christian Life, 1939
Neglecting small moral failures allows larger evils to grow; vigilance against minor sins is essential.
In simple terms: Small sins can lead to big problems.
Key Takeaway
Monitor and correct minor moral lapses.
Themes
morality
vigilance
spiritual warfare
discipline
Mood
serious
thoughtful
Type
theological
practical
When to use this quote
- personal reflection
- church teaching
- counseling sessions
Key Concepts
ethical integrity
spiritual growth
Questions to Reflect On
- How do you address minor ethical breaches?
- What practices keep you spiritually alert?
A Different Perspective
Focusing only on big issues may ignore systemic problems.
![“You will say these are very small sins... [But] it does not matter how small the sins are provided that their cumulative effect is to edge the man away from the Light and out into the Nothing. Murder is no better than cards if cards can do the trick. Indeed, the safest road to Hell is the gradual…” quote by C. S. Lewis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/18e/c-s-lewis-2-132_can-do_you-will-say-these-are-very-small-sins-b_2964969.jpg)
