Scripture: Genesis 13:12-13
Abram lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot
lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tents near Sodom. Now the
people of Sodom were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.
We saw earlier that Lot had his choice of where to
move. He didn’t need to settle closer to the sinful Sodomites. He deliberately
chose to. And it’s not like he wouldn’t have known the reputation the place
had. Word of such a city would have spread far and wide. So, why did he move
there?
I can think of two possibilities. One, maybe he
thought he was righteous enough and strong enough to avoid the temptations the
city offered.
Two, maybe he didn’t want to avoid the
temptations. Maybe he was allured by them.
What is your reaction to known areas of temptation
– that bar, that hangout, that internet site? How do you react to alluring
people – your old friend who isn’t a Christian, a new acquaintance who seems
like a lot of fun, that guy or girl who takes an interest in you but doesn’t
have the same morals? Do you trust yourself to stay strong in the midst of such
opposing forces? Do you play dangerous and get as close as you can without
crossing the line?
There’s only one choice that’s sure to keep us
clean, and that’s too avoid those people and places that we feel tempted by.
Stay away. Your purity, your innocence, your relationship with the Lord isn’t
worth taking the risk.
If you’re trying to reach people in those places,
stand back and wait for a safer time to approach them. The Lord will give you
the opportunities you need without putting you in danger of sin.
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