Be Careful the Company You Keep

Genesis 14:1-12

Lot went from living near the sinful city of Sodom to living in the city (verse 1). Soon, we will see that Lot not only moved his family inside the city walls, but he also took a position of authority and leadership in the city (Genesis 19:1) This is a prime example of 1 Corinthians 15:33, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” Sin entices us away from the straight and narrow path God created for our lives. Temptation pulls and tugs at our hearts. If we remain where we know we are tempted to sin, we will soon find ourselves engulfed in the sins surrounding us.

Paul instructed us how to avoid the allure of sin that seeks to pull us in and destroy us. Galatians 5:16-17 says, “So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit ,and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other so that you do not do what you want.” He continues by clarifying exactly what the sinful nature desires in verses 19-21: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Moving close to Sodom, while not a sin, opened the door for Lot to become swept away with sinful people. There was no distinction between him and the people around him. The same fate could await any of us. The closer we flirt with sinful living, the harder it will become to distinguish us from the ones who reject the Lord. Don’t be carried off with the wicked. Move your life away from the ones that walk in the footsteps of the sinful nature. Live by the Spirit and those things will become less and less attractive to you until you could never imagine living within the city walls of Sodom.