Jerusalem, the city where God had Solomon build His temple, was once a centerpiece of faithfulness and service to the Lord. But during the time of Jeremiah, its inhabitants had become godless, with its wickedness equaling that of people living before the flood. The prophet pointed out Israel’s sins and called for repentance but none was forthcoming. Through His marvelous grace, the Lord decided to give His people one last chance. “Thus says the Lord; Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths where the good way is, and walk in it. Then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.” (Jer 6:16).
There were two paths that Israel could take – one was the good way and the other was the way of evil. There are still only two choices or two paths for us to follow – the good path of righteousness or the evil path of sin.
Most everyone reading this article knows where that good path leads, but have we really stopped to consider and meditate on where the evil way takes us? Think about these four stops on The Path Sin Leads Us Down.
- Sin DISPLAYS Itself Falsely And DISTORTS What It Really Is.
Satan is a master at placing sin and evil in plain view and then misleadingly altering or twisting that sin to seem beneficial, pleasurable, and harmless. If you do not believe this, just check out the beer and alcohol commercials on TV. Scripture warns us about this very approach by the Devil. “Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly. At the last it bites like a serpent and stings like an viper. Your eyes will see strange things, and your heart will utter perverse things”. (Prov 23:31-33). “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways. For a harlot is a deep pit, and a seductress is a narrow well. She also lies in wait as for a victim, and increases the faithless among men”. (Prov 23:26-28). These verses perfectly fit the point we are making here, especially with the way we see sexual immorality, drinking, lust, lying, partying, boastfulness, and violence portrayed all around us.
- Sin DECEIVES All Who Practice It.
The Devil took advantage of the Edomites sinful pride to deceive them. Obadiah told Edom the words of the Lord. “Behold, I will make you small among the nations; you shall be greatly despised. The pride of your heart has DECEIVED you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock…Though you ascend as high as the eagle, and though you nest among the stars, from there I will bring you down”. (Obadiah 2- 4). In discussing the triumph of grace over sin and the law, Paul confessed what sin did to him. “But sin , taking opportunity by the commandment, produced in me all manner of evil desire. For apart from the law sin was dead. I was alive once without the law, but when the commandment came, sin revived and I died. For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, DECEIVED me, and by it killed me”. (Rom (7:8-9,11). After telling the Ephesian brethren that sins such as fornication, covetousness, and filthiness should not even be named among Christians, Paul issued a stern warning. “Let no one DECEIVE you with vain words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience”. (Eph 5:6). - Sin DOMINATES Its Victims
Much like powerful military armies, Satan and his evil forces run roughshod over their victims, DOMINATING them, and leaving DEVASTATION in their wake. King David certainly realized this possibility. He prayed to God: Keep back your servant also from presumptuous sins. Let them not have DOMINION over me, then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression.”. (Ps 19:13). In discussing the believers freedom from sin’s DOMINANCE, Paul told how God’s grace helps us overcome it. “Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have DOMINION over you, for you are not under law but under grace.
- Sin DESTROYS All Who Continue In It
“The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous will DESTROY them”. (Prov 11:3). The writer of Philippians provided the future of those walking in sin. “Brethren, join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as you have us for a pattern. For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ; whose end is DESTRUCTION…”. (Phil 3:17-19). Also, Peter records the end of those who teach contrary to Scripture. “But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in DESTRUCTIVE heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift DESTRUCTION.”. (II Pet 2:1).Scripture leaves no doubt that Sin …
DISTORTS
DECEIVES
DOMINATES
DESTROYS
The very first sin recorded in Genesis 3 proves the point in this exact order. Satan DISTORTED himself into a serpent to talk to Eve. Satan lied and DECEIVED her into thinking that the forbidden fruit was actually good for her. Then Eve DECEIVED Adam into believing the same thing. Sin immediately began to DOMINATE them as they realized they were naked and tried to cover themselves. After God confronted them and pronounced punishment for their sin, their perfect relationship with God and their surroundings was DESTROYED.
Brethren, Let Us Be Aware Of The Path Sin Leads Us Down!