In chapter thirteen of the book of Genesis, we read that the herdsmen of Abraham (Abram at the time) and Lot began to quarrel. As a result, the two men decided that they needed to separate. Abraham graciously offered Lot the first choice of land for his herds, and Lot greedily took what looked best to him. He chose the entire plain of the Jordan river and set out to the east.
Notice what Lot did next. He “pitched his tents near Sodom,” which as the narrative tells us, was full of men who “were wicked and were sinning greatly against the Lord.”
Our first question should be, “Did Lot know that Sodom was wicked when he pitched his tents?” We don’t know for sure, but it seems likely. This wasn’t his first day in the region, after all. People in the area would have readily shared the stories of what happened in the city. Nothing travels faster than a bad reputation.
But on second thought, maybe it doesn’t matter if he knew or not. We don’t always know what temptations we’ll come across in the video store, on T.V., on the magazine stand, at the mall… before it presents itself. It’s not the temptation that is the problem. The problem is what we do with the temptation, which gets us to the next scene in Lot’s story.
In Chapter 14, we learn that Lot had moved and was actually living in Sodom. It was an unfortunate choice, because he and his family became plunder when the kings of Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, Zeboiim and Bela lost in their attempt to overcome the powerful coalition of neighboring King Kedorlaomer and his allies. As far as we know, Lot had nothing to do with the conflict, but he was guilty by association. He put himself in harm’s way and paid the price. Had it not been for the bravery and loyalty of his uncle Abram, this might have been the last chapter on Lot’s life.
But as it turned out, Abram rescued Lot and his family by defeating King Kedorlaomer and his allies. You would think that Lot would have taken the cue God was giving him, but he didn’t. The next time we see him (chapter 19), he is no longer just living in the city; now, he’s sitting at the city gate. This is significant, because it reveals that Lot was now integrated into the culture of Sodom. He’s regarded as an elder and allowed to judge legal cases and business transactions for the city.
What on earth was he doing there? I’m sure he thought he was helping the sinful city and that he could remain above their sinfulness, but he underestimated the powerful pull of sin. Without realizing it, Lot made compromise after compromise in his walk with the Lord. We learn in the same chapter that Lot had even pledged his daughters to the unrighteous men of Sodom. Had God not intervened, it’s likely that Lot would have sunk deeper and deeper into sinfulness until there would be no distinction between him and the unbelievers he lived among.
Is it hitting home yet? I’m talking about us. We live in an immoral culture – a 21st century Sodom if you will. And though we are children of the King, it’s often hard to distinguish us from the unbelievers living around us. Why? Because we do all the same things that the unbelievers do. We watch the same movies; we laugh at the same dirty jokes; we make the same innuendos in mixed company… It’s a good thing God knows our hearts and recognizes us as His own or else we might accidentally get mixed in with the unbelievers in the coming judgment.
When you intentionally pass the adult bookstore or strip club on your way home from work… When you make it a point to visit the administrative assistant’s desk on your way to your desk in the morning… When you give the babysitter a ride home… You’re putting yourself in harm’s way. You’re pitching your tents toward Sodom, and it won’t be long until you take up residence in the city.
You’ve got to draw your lines much further back. Don’t go anywhere near sin city. Don’t tell yourself that you can handle it. You can’t. Stronger men than you have been compromised in the exact same way. Lead yourself not into temptation.
