THE DANGER OF ASSUMING YOUR DECISIONS AND ACTIONS WON’T AFFECT OTHERS

What Will Your Defining Moment Say About You?

March 20, 2023

“And it came to pass, when they had brought them forth abroad, that he said, Escape for thy life; look not behind thee, neither stay thou in all the plain; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed.” (Gen.19:17)

In Genesis 13, strife had risen between the herders of Lot and Abram. Abram asks that there be not any strife between them. He told Lot that if he chooses to go to the right, he will go to the left. Lot’s eyes opened wide to the green watery valley of the Jordan, and just like that, Lot was faced with a defining moment. Lot did not understand that all that glitter was not gold. Lot journeyed eastward to Jordan to the city of Sodom and Gomorrah. Abram settled in the land of Canaan. Now, most Christians Bible readers know the story about Lot and the city called Sodom and Gomorrah. His shallow choice reflected his true character. He chose a city riddled with sin from the doorstop to the rooftop. Out of his greed, Lot had allowed sin and corruption to enter him and his family’s lifestyles. He had become void of the God he once knew when he was with Abram. Lot had become an “empty lot” concerned for nothing other than his wealth. He had become infused with the effects of the sins committed by others around him. He infused his family and friends around him with his values of wrongdoing. But God had mercy on Lot and his family. He sent angels with a message instructing them to leave the city, “escape to the mountains and not look back toward the city.” Lot hesitated, but nonetheless, he went. His wife desired to stay and continue in her old life, and she looked back. She did not just turn to take a glance; she turned all the way around, and there she became a fixed citizen of the city as a pillar of salt. She, like her husband, hesitated; but she took it a step further by longing for her former lifestyle, which she did not want to leave. Lot had a severe case of greed that had caused sin to trickle down throughout his whole family. The son-in-law would not leave and would be destroyed in the city. While in the mountains, the daughters wanted children and plotted a means to get what they wanted. Lot was the closest male, so they did what they knew to do to get their way. They got their father drunk and slept with him. This act brought about two tribes that became a perpetual thorn in the side of Abraham’s descendants. This story shocks our sensibilities. Where was their faith in God’s provision? Where did Lot’s daughters learn to debase themselves with such a horribly immoral decision? Remember, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” (1Pet.5:8)

To avoid becoming an “empty lot,” beware of these four dangers:

Don’t deceive yourself—There are no harmless character flaws because even harmless flaws cause numbness to others.
Don’t change God’s price tags in life. Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Christ.
Don’t make long-term decisions—Based on temporary attractions. All that glitters ain’t gold.
Don’t assume your decisions won’t profoundly affect others. In John 21:3, Peter’s decision to go fishing created an atmosphere of disobedience for ten other disciples to disobey what Christ had told them to do.

SOMEBODY IS ALWAYS WATCHING YOU.