I See... Efficient Sinning

Efficiency should be an important aspect of everything we do- including sinning. Generally I don't advocate committing sin; it denies you happiness both in this life and the next. But, if you have already made up your mind that you ARE going to sin, you might as well do it efficiently.

The choice of available sins has never been more robust: you could be self-centered, conceitful, boastful, arrogant, haughty, rebellious, hard-hearted, stiff-necked, unrepentant, puffed up, easily offended, or a sign seeker. Or, you could allow your desires, appetites, and passions to go unbridled.

How about faultfinding, gossiping, backbiting, murmuring, self-gratification, living beyond your means, withholding forgiveness, envying, coveting, holding grudges, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, being unforgiving, jealous, full of self-pity, or a seeker of worldly self-fulfillment? Oh, and don't forget secret combinations, which are built up to get power, gain, and glory of the world.

Have you ever considered getting involved in arguments, fights, unrighteous dominion, generation gaps, divorces, spouse abuse, riots, and disturbances? What about damaging relationships between God and His servants, husband and wife, parent and child, employer and employee, teacher and student?

I've just listed 30+ sins that could really get you in trouble with God and man. Wouldn't it be more efficient, however, to commit just one really big sin, a violation that covers all of the evils listed above?

If you are seeking efficient disobedience that covers all these sins at once, you should try becoming prideful. President Ezra Taft Benson, in the classic 1989 conference talk, “Beware of Pride,” taught that the root of all the sins listed above was pride. Therefore, logic would dictate that if one worked hard on developing the sin of pride, a lot of those other problems would just naturally follow.

Just in case you took this post seriously and actually started becoming prideful, don't worry. Next week I'll provide some timely advice on efficient repenting!