Sodom

Read

Genesis 13:12 “Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom.”

Think

Abraham left Egypt, and his relative Lot went with him. God blessed their families richly, as they increased in wealth and possessions. Both men had countless flocks and herds, as well as tents in which those closest to them lived. Eventually, they came to a seminal moment. Abraham, Lot, and their families could no longer live together. The time had come to separate. Abraham gave Lot the option on where he would live.

“Lot looked around and saw that the whole plain of the Jordan was well watered, like the garden of the Lord. So Lot chose for himself the whole plain of the Jordan and set out toward the east. The two men parted company. Abraham lived in the land of Canaan, while Lot lived among the cities of the plain and pitched his tent toward Sodom” (Genesis 13:10-12).

Sodom was an evil city, known for its wickedness. It was one of the five cities of the plain. The people of Sodom had given themselves over to all kinds of perversion and sexual exploits. Eventually, God would destroy the city in judgment. Sodom’s reputation was well-known. Abraham and Lot knew exactly the kind of place it had become.

Given a choice as to where he would live, Lot pitched his tent “toward Sodom.” Note the word “toward.” Lot wasn’t about to move to Sodom. That was no place for a God-fearing Jew to live! He knew better. But while he wasn’t about to move to Sodom, he was curious. So he set up shop on a hill overlooking the city. He would only view Sodom from a distance. But six chapters later, Lot progressed from toward Sodom to in Sodom.

Apply

The story of Lot reminds us of the danger of tinkering with sin. We should do what Job did. “I made a covenant with my eyes, that I would not look at a young woman” (Job 31:1). When it comes to temptation, run! Don’t even look.

There is a cycle to addiction. It plays out every time we indulge in our behaviors, every time we give in to the temptation.

• We think it.

• We plan it.

• We do it.

• We hate it.

• We cover it.

• We do it again.

The way out is to not let our minds consider unhealthy pleasures. Don’t even think it. Stay away from Sodom. Avoid the cycle; stay off the crazy train.

Pray

Heavenly Father, I commit to staying as far away from Sodom as possible. Purify my thoughts, and lead me not into temptation, but deliver me from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.