Sin of WithholdingSample

The “All in” God

When God took out his pen and wrote his Ten Commandments, the first one was, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.” Exodus 20:1-2

God wants us to be all in. He is not into lukewarm or cold hearts toward him. He has delivered us, saved us, and blessed us tremendously. He is worthy of us being all in.

Jesus echoed this same idea when He was asked what the greatest commandment was. In Matthew 22:37-40 – 37, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”

Jesus is a clear example of being all in. Love God and others is God’s will for us, his children. When we actively and intentionally withhold love we are in direct disobedience to the very core of God’s heart.

1 John 4:7-8 states: Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

We as Christians absolutely know that our God commands us to love. When we withhold this love, especially in a primary relationship, we are sinning.

James 4:17 says, “Anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins.” This makes it clear that we know the goal is to love others. This active withholding of love is a sin. 

Unlike sins that require action, like stealing, lying, or committing adultery, the sin of withholding is the direct opposite sin. It is what you aren’t doing in your relationship with God and others that is sin.

The sin of withholding is not giving time, praise, touch, sex (if married), talents, service, or even resources when prompted by the Holy Spirit to do so. The sin of withholding is active and alive in churches, marriages, and families and has been left without a voice. As a result, our marriages and families are greatly suffering. 

As you work on this journey, ask the Holy Spirit, “Is there someone that I am actively withholding my heart from?” If so, ask Him to help you open your heart.