One of the hardest things for the Christian of our day is to recognize the presence of sin in his own life and all around him. In fact, we often try to minimize the presence of sin and to make light of its effects on us.

Dr. J. Wilbur Chapman told of a distinguished Methodist minister in Australia who preached on sin. One of his church officers came afterward to talk with him in his study. He said to the pastor, “Dr. Howard, we don’t want you to talk so plainly as you do about sin, because if our boys and girls hear you talking so much about sin, they will more easily become sinners. Call it a mistake if you will, but do not speak so plainly about sin.”

The minister went to a utility closet and brought back a small bottle of strychnine that was clearly marked “Rat Poison.” He said, “I see what you want me to do. You wanted me to change the label. Suppose I take off this label of ‘Poison’ and put on some milder label, such as ‘Essence of Peppermint?’"

The point was clear. The milder you make the label; the more dangerous you make the poison.