Unfortunately, we are surrounded by a world that has in many ways come to love sin. In fact, the love of sin is so prevalent in society that sin is often glamorized and glorified. What was commonly known and accepted as sin has now come to be recognized as sensible. The wide acceptance of sin in our culture today echoes the words of the weeping Prophet of old, “…Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? Nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush…” (Jeremiah 6:15; 8:12). The picture that is being painted for our young people is persistently chipping away at our morality today, besides not the truth regarding sin. Only God determines what is sin, and only God will paint the real portrait of what sin does. The apostle of love penned, “Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law” (1 John 3:4).
Firstly, God reminds us that sin will take you farther than you want to go! King David’s involvement with sin certainly teaches us this lesson (2 Samuel 11-12). When David sinned by committing sex outside of the marriage relationship, do you think he ever thought that sin would take him down a path of murder, death of a child, another wife for which to care and great distress for the rest of his life (Psalm 32; 51)? You see, the picture that was painted for David while he viewed Bathsheba from the roof-top was one of excitement, fun and freedom. However, the very opposite was true. Sin will take you farther than you want to go!
Secondly, God reminds us that sin will keep you longer than you want to stay! The Prodigal Son certainly revealed this truth in detail. While sin had promised him fun and pleasure, it actually brought him filth and pain (Luke 15:15ff). Sadly, many believe that they have control over the sin in which they are involved. However, sin controls! It is never content to share “the driver’s seat.” Sin will keep you longer than you want to stay!
Lastly, God reminds us that sin will cost you more than you want to pay! Consider the price that sin cost Esau (Genesis 25:29-34). A simple bowl of pottage cost him more than he ever intended. In the “heat of the moment,” it seemed like just pocket change, but after reality set in, he soon realized the high price of sin. Sin will rob your wallet, steal your family, take your sanity and snip your eternal soul. Sin will cost you more than you want to pay!
Such a little word, yet the result is devastating. While Satan denies the reality regarding sin, God speaks the truth about it. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Galatians 6:7). “Sin,” is just three little letters, but the biggest letter is “I”!
