Biblical values transform our thinking. Romans 12: 2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. [1]
Our thinking influences our values, actions, and discernment. God’s values are rooted in His character, which includes love, compassion, righteousness, and holiness. Unfortunately, sin can corrupt these values.
Lot and His Values
Lot had invited two angels, disguised as men, into his home. After sharing a meal with them, they faced a dangerous mob of men from the city.
Genesis 19: 4 But before they retired for the night, all the men of Sodom, young and old, came from all over the city and surrounded the house. 5 They shouted to Lot, “Where are the men who came to spend the night with you? Bring them out to us so we can have sex with them!”
6 So Lot stepped outside to talk to them, shutting the door behind him. 7 “Please, my brothers,” he begged, “don’t do such a wicked thing. 8 Look, I have two virgin daughters. Let me bring them out to you, and you can do with them as you wish. But please, leave these men alone, for they are my guests and are under my protection.” [2]
What had happened to Lot’s values that he was willing to let his daughters be gang raped? Hospitality to strangers was highly valued in the society. We can understand Lot’s desire to protect the visitors, but how could he do that at the expense of his own flesh and blood?
Values Turn into Actions
Lot may have been resorting to the principle of what was the lesser evil. He may have considered heterosexual rape a lesser evil than an unnatural sex act. But you can’t stop sin with sin. His compromised faith corrupted his values. Corrupted values obscure spiritual vision and influence judgment. His warped values resulted in warped actions.
If Lot had been walking with God, he would not have been in a place where he thought he had to offer his daughters to satisfy the sensual appetites of a mob. We must learn a lesson from this story so we don’t repeat Lot’s actions. We need to turn to God for His wisdom and His transformation so we don’t think like the world. When God changes our thinking, our values and resulting actions change.
Ephesians 4: 21 Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, 22 throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. 23 Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. 24 Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy.[3] To learn how Biblical values transform our thinking, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/divine-judgment-and-human-choices
[1-3] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.