#consequences of sin

On Second Thought “But if you do not do so, then take note, you have sinned against the Lord; and be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23 There are few truths more sobering than this: sin always travels farther than it promises. It may begin in secrecy, impulse, resentment, desire, or pride, but it rarely stays where it began. Numbers 32:23 was spoken to Israel as a warning against…

On Second Thought One of the most misunderstood ideas in the Christian life is the relationship between grace and sin after salvation. Once believers discover the security that comes through the cross of Christ, an unsettling question sometimes emerges in the heart: “If salvation is secure, does sin still matter?” The apostle Paul anticipated that question long ago and answered it forcefully in…

The Bible in a Year “Since the days of our fathers have we been in a great trespass unto this day; and for our iniquities have we, our kings, and our priests, been delivered into the hand of the kings of the lands, to the sword, to captivity, and to a spoil, and to confusion of face, as it is this day.” (Ezra 9:7) As we journey through the Bible, Ezra’s prayer of confession offers a sobering…

 When Sin Shapes a Nation The Bible in a Year “And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.” — 1 Kings 14:16 As I read through this portion of Scripture, I cannot help but pause over the weight of that phrase, “He shall give Israel up.” It is one of the most sobering realities in the biblical narrative. The Hebrew expression behind “give…

It important to remember that God does not overlook our sin, since it prevents us from taking his grace for granted. It also prevents us from thinking that God will always wipe away the consequences of our sin.

Most times, he will not.

A good father forgives their children when they make a mistake, but they also let them deal with the consequences of their actions. It’s best to learn now than when it has eternal consequences.

God not always clearing up our mess is meant to teach us how destructive sin really is, and how it not only drives us away from the love of God, but also from each other.

Take David’s family, for instance. His affair with Bathsheba lead to her husband’s death, as well as the death of their child. Not only that, but it also lead to sexual assault of David’s daughter, Tamar, and Absalom, his son, hunting him down to kill him.

This story not only strikes home for David, it also warns us of the dangers of sin. It tells us that while God forgives our sin, if we confess them with a humble heart, he will allow us to deal with its consequences.

Going through these types of experiences will not only make sin less appealing to us, but make obeying God that much more desirable.

Sin is like honeycomb in the mouth, but like rocks in the stomach. Obeying God will only leave you wanting more. Sin leads to regret and humiliation, obedience leads to joy and the washing away of our shame.

These types of scenarios are the equivalent of a father forgiving their son or daughter of their sins, but still having them go to time out and to think about what they have done.

It’s painful in the moment, but will lead to an aversion from sin in the future.

Remember, the Lord disciplines and corrects those he loves, and it’s through the pruning that we produce more fruit.

It’s through facing the consequences of our actions that we can learn that our place is to glorify God, and not ourselves. It’s here, in the midst the ashes that we have made of our lives, that we can begin to trust in God to eventually pick up the pieces, and put us back together.

Ahab reigned as king of Israel beginning approximately 860 B.C. (exact dates of his reign vary). It was said that Ahab did evil in the sight of the Lord, more than all those who were before him. I Kings 16:30. Under his rule, idolatry was tolerated, even encouraged, largely a result of his evil wife Jezebel’s influence. Ahab erected an altar for Baal and made the Asherah, a wooden idol…

Now the Lord has brought it, and has done just as He said. Because you people have sinned against the Lord, and not obeyed His voice, therefore this thing has come upon you. Jeremiah 40:3 Nearly every action or word has some type of consequence that follows it. Some of those consequences are good, while others are very horrible. Seldom do people really think about the consequence of an action…