While the phrase “diehard sins” may suggest longstanding immorality, acute addiction, or some other flagrant wickedness, these are not the sort of problems Rush Witt addresses.  “Destructive habits” hints at their nature; the introduction further describes these sins as subtle, respectable, acceptable, resilient, and relentless. 

All Christians know that sin dies hard because it is “ingrained in us….insidiously interacting with every aspect of our being” (26), yet it is easy to be content with outwardly visible compliance to what we understand as the law of God.  Witt focuses on habits and behaviors so natural to us that neither we nor casual observers take them seriously.  

The book is divided into three parts, based upon the counseling method Jesus demonstrated in Matt. 9:35-36: entering with joy into our own and others’ struggle against daily sin, understanding the true needs of the heart, and bringing Christ and His provisions to the fight.  The first section defines sin, outlining its origin (the Fall of man) and its trajectory in the believer (being put to death through progressive sanctification, although that “creeps along more slowly than we would like.” [33]) Witt recommends four criteria against which to evaluate each sinful habit: its duration, frequency, intensity, and triggers (situations that seem to provoke its occurrence).

Practicing “sin detection” includes becoming aware of its whole-person effects.  Sin darkens our foolish hearts, leading to futile thoughts, which then spill over into ungodly communication and habitual sinful actions.  Examining our beliefs and desires can help to uncover hidden addictions, yet Witt warns against morbid introspection as opposed to healthy self-awareness.

The Bible is God’s primary instrument of effecting change.  In order to regularly preach the gospel to ourselves and others, we must build biblical knowledge by reading it regularly, increase our understanding of Scripture by meditation, and fortify ourselves with “immediate recall of wise counsel” by memorization. (145)  However, Witt reminds us that it is Christ and His provisions: “Jesus is a living Savior who is present with us in our trouble.” (140)  Spiritual growth and change happen best in the context of the church, which provides fellowship, loving counsel, and the practice of the ordinances.

Each chapter is preceded by a short sketch of someone caught in a diehard sin.  The reader meets Melody, a peace-faker who avoids facing unresolved conflicts; Eliza, an addict to suspenseful or intriguing news about her acquaintances; slothful Carl, who hopes to find “part-time work with pay for full-time hours”; Kristin, who hurts others by her careless spontaneity; perfectionistic Rob, driven and intimidating; Frank, a doubter; Mark, outwardly a model Christian yet ruled by his discriminating appetite; Ken, whose anxiety keeps him from interaction with others; Andrea, always late; Janet, a slave to guilt; and lone-ranger Carson, who faithfully reads the Word and prays yet has no time for fellowship with God’s people.  (These characters are composites of the people Witt encounters regularly as a pastor and counselor, but he is honest about his own diehard battles.)

Diehard Sins is an easy-to-read, gospel-centered call to godliness—all the more urgent in a culture that elevates self-expression and attempts to reduce sin to mere individual characteristics or peculiarities.  Witt’s character portraits are linked to scriptures that show sin for what it is.  Each chapter is followed by questions for thought or discussion, and the appendix provides a recommended reading list as well as easy-to-remember acronyms for helpful responses.  As a fresh provocation to “love and good works,” this book will not only unsettle the complacent but also benefit those who want to grow in personal holiness.