Jerry Bridges, Respectable Sins: Confronting the sins we tolerate (181 pages, USA: Navpress), 2007.

In twenty-one chapters Jerry Bridges writes about a number of sins which the Western church has for some odd reason decided are OK. Particularly focused on 1 Peter 5:5, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” Bridges speaks of issues such as pride, selfishness, ungodliness, unthankfulness, anger, self-control (or lack thereof), impatience, envy, jealousy, sins of the tongue and many others. Founded much in the sovereignty of God and the cross of Christ, Bridges calls his readers to take a long, hard look at themselves. He encourages the work of the Spirit in ones heart and wants to convict his readers about those sins in which he comments on.

I found this a really good and thought-provoking book. Bridges challenges each individual to be humble before an Almighty God and recognise that there are sins, sins which we ‘take for granted’, that need to be confessed and repented of. While at times one may debate over whether or not all the sins he comments on are actually sins he writes in a humble and good natured way urging godliness from his readers. It’s basically a book that slaps you around the head, in a good way of course.

It is only 181 pages and would be a great book for a small group discussion series or a men’s or women’s group (or something like that). I would encourage anyone wanting to get rid of sin in their life, particularly ones not seen, to pick up this book.

Overall I’d give it 8/10.