We see the dangers of compromise in the life of Lot before the destruction of Sodom. Lot, a nephew of Abraham, had benefited from his uncle’s relationship. Both Abraham and Lot seemed to have gained wealth from their visit to Egypt (Genesis 12). They both had acquired large flocks of livestock to the point that they had to separate to provide enough pasture for their animals. (Genesis 13)
Lot chose the fertile valley near Sodom. At first, he would have lived in tents outside the city. Then, in Chapter 14, we find out that Lot was living in the city. By the time the angels come to destroy the city, Lot is sitting at the city gate.
Genesis 19: That evening the two angels came to the entrance of the city of Sodom. Lot was sitting there, and when he saw them, he stood up to meet them. Then he welcomed them and bowed with his face to the ground.[1]
A Citizen of Importance
Sitting at the gate has more importance than we modern people realize. People conducted business at the gate. People of importance had offices at the city gates. Lot now was not only a citizen of Sodom but a ranking official.
Lot had probably tasted the “good life” in Egypt and enjoyed the things available in Sodom versus the wilderness. He surely knew about God and His covenant with Abraham, but Lot seemed ready to compromise his faith for the sake of worldly pleasures. His association with the people of Sodom continued to corrupt Lot.
Paul’s warning to the Corinthian church speaks to this type of situation. 1 Corinthians 15: 33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” 34 Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning. For to your shame I say that some of you don’t know God at all. [2]
Avoiding the Downhill Slide
Lot’s spiritual downhill slide was due to his heart attitude. One poor decision led to another, which led to another. The Apostle John gives us advice: 1 John 2: 15 Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. 16 For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. 17 And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.[3]
Since this world is temporary, we need to focus on what is eternal. Colossians 3: 1Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. 2 Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.[4] We do this as we pray, worship, and study Scripture in our relationship with Jesus. A strong relationship with Jesus helps us avoid the dangers of compromise.
To learn more, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/divine-judgment-and-human-choices
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.