The Contagion of Sin

A Word in Season: Messages by R.J. Rushdoony on the Faith for All of Life · Feb 13, 2026 · 2m

In Haggai 2, God teaches a striking truth: holiness is not contagious, but sin is. A clean towel cannot purify dirty hands—rather, the dirt spreads. Judah needed to learn, as we do today, that no one becomes godly by belonging to a good church, a good family, or a wholesome community; righteousness does not transfer by proximity. But sin, injustice, and foolishness rub off easily unless we stand firm by faith, governed by God rather than by group pressures. Modern society has replaced morality with “group dynamics,” treating the opinions and feelings of the crowd as law. Even churches…