Someone once said, “More people might do right if we could convince them that doing right is sinful.” Sometimes, it seems there is a measure of truth in this statement. There are many who run to sin, to fulfill its lusts and have their desires gratified. This thought is expressed time and again in the expression, “But everyone else is doing it; why can’t I?”
We tend to equate popularity with approval. So many people doing something, permitting something or consenting to something can’t be wrong. Or can they? King Ahab of Israel had 400 prophets to act as his “yes men,” to justify his desire to do as he pleased. When asked if there was a prophet of God who could be consulted, Ahab responded, “There is still one man who can ask the Lord, but I hate him because he never prophesies good about me, but only disaster” (1 Kings 22:8). Translated, Ahab was saying God’s way often opposed his way, so he hired false prophets to justify his actions. This is reminiscent of what Paul wrote Timothy. “For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths” (2 Timothy 4:3-4).
Jesus put it this way. “Enter through the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the road is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who go through it” (Matthew 7:13). Why is this? Why will one do or live in such a way that he or she knows will lead to his or her destruction eternally? We allow ourselves to be deceived. Satan appeals to our desires, deceiving us into thinking wrong is right, and we follow him. What we need is education, understanding and insight. God’s Word can help fulfill our desires in righteousness, rather than sinfulness. A proper understanding helps us control our desires, instead of our desires controlling us. God’s Word points us to a better way, a more noble way, which offers eternal life. What desire can be greater than this? Isn’t this better than what the world is offering now?
No matter how many are involved, no matter how good it feels, no matter how commonplace it becomes, sin is destructive! In Christ, we have all spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). God can fill our desires through His mercy and grace and love. His way is the best way after all.
