Genesis 13: 2, 5-6
vs2 And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver, and in gold.
vs5-6 And Lot also, which went with Abram, had flocks, and herds, and tents. And the land was not able to bear them, that they might dwell together: for their substance was great, so that they could not dwell together.
God greatly increased both Abraham(Abram) and Lot. Both has great riches, numerous herdsmen, and Lot had a family. Lot was under the influence of Abraham all the time he traveled with him. He believed in Abraham and Abraham’s God. He watched his uncle walk with God and saw the deliverance and favor brought to both of their lives through that relationship. But Lot wanted more…
Genesis 13:10-13
And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar.
Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east: and they separated themselves the one from the other.
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly.
In this story many of us focus on the destruction of Sodom, Gomorrah and the cities of the plain. Some of us focus on the sins of these wicked cities. Some on the angels who went in to get Lot and his family. But I want you to think about the household of Lot. It included his family, his servants, slaves and heardsmen. We know that he had numerous herds and a team to manage them. To give you an idea of how many were in Lots household, read the size of Abraham’s household in Genesis 14: 14-16.
And when Abram heard that his brother was taken captive, he armed his trained servants, born in his own house, three hundred and eighteen, and pursued them unto Dan.
And he divided himself against them, he and his servants, by night, and smote them, and pursued them unto Hobah, which is on the left hand of Damascus.
And he brought back all the goods, and also brought again his brother Lot, and his goods, and the women also, and the people.
The 318 where only those born in Abraham’s household, who could fight in warfare, that was not all of his house.
Why is this important. Not only did Abraham know how many of Lots house went into the area where these wicked cities where, he also knew how many survived and were saved by the deliverance God did through Abraham’s small army. Now read the questions that Abraham asked God when the judgement of the cities was imminent.
Genesis 18: 23-32 (NAS) Copyright © The Lockman Foundation:
Abraham came near and said, “Will You indeed sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
Suppose there are fifty righteous within the city; will You indeed sweep it away and not [a]spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous who are in it?
Far be it from You to do such a thing, to slay the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Shall not the Judge of all the earth deal justly?”
So the LORD said, “If I find in Sodom fifty righteous within the city, then I will spare the whole place on their account.”
And Abraham replied, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord, although I am but dust and ashes.
Suppose the fifty righteous are lacking five, will You destroy the whole city because of five?” And He said, “I will not destroy it if I find forty-five there.”
He spoke to Him yet again and said, “Suppose forty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it on account of the forty.”
Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak; suppose thirty are found there?” And He said, “I will not do it if I find thirty there.”
And he said, “Now behold, I have ventured to speak to the Lord; suppose twenty are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the twenty.”
Then he said, “Oh may the Lord not be angry, and I shall speak only this once; suppose ten are found there?” And He said, “I will not destroy it on account of the ten.”
From 50 all the way down to 10. Abraham knew both those who were under his influence, sacrificed with him, prayed with him and watched him from Lot’s household. But he also knew the influence of day after day drinking from the waters of Sodom. Spending time in the city, at the well, streams and other places where all of the people go at times. Hanging out with the entertainment, events and people of Sodom. And how that would draw away some of Lot’s house.
Genesis 19: 15:
And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
Although 4 went out only 3 survived, Lot’s wife’s heart was still in Sodom, and she died with their judgement, looking back, longing for Sodom.
Genesis 19:26
But his wife looked back from behind him, and she became a pillar of salt.
And even though his daughters survived, they were so corrupted by their influences, they committed drunken incest with their father. Of course, they justified their actions.
Genesis 19:30-36
And Lot went up out of Zoar, and dwelt in the mountain, and his two daughters with him; for he feared to dwell in Zoar: and he dwelt in a cave, he and his two daughters.
And the firstborn said unto the younger, Our father is old, and there is not a man in the earth to come in unto us after the manner of all the earth:
Come, let us make our father drink wine, and we will lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night: and the firstborn went in, and lay with her father; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
And it came to pass on the morrow, that the firstborn said unto the younger, Behold, I lay yesternight with my father: let us make him drink wine this night also; and go thou in, and lie with him, that we may preserve seed of our father.
And they made their father drink wine that night also: and the younger arose, and lay with him; and he perceived not when she lay down, nor when she arose.
Thus were both the daughters of Lot with child by their father.
As I read about Christians of the first century, those of just a hundred years ago, and other great men and women of God of today, I notice something that is consistent among those who walked in power and great relationship with God. They did not hang out in Sodom. They did not drink from the waters of the wickedness of this world. And you may say, well of course not! Neither do I. Good, than continue with me as we look at what happens every day in our modern Sodom and Gomorrah.
Just as the influence of the wickedness of Sodom drew away the entire household of Lot, just as the corrupted world view had Lot’s daughters justify their sin. The modern church is in the mist of a world ready for judgement. But instead of we being in the role of the Angels, delivering those in the mist of imminent destruction, many of us are living out Psalm 1:1 in reverse.
Psalm 1:
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
Instead of sunning the poisons of this world and meditating on God, here is what we do…
We walk in the counsel of those who do not know God. Waking is a habit, a pattern and we make a habit of listening to those who are “well meaning”, with some truth, but are ungodly. On our radio, on the TV. Surfing the internet. We are spending time in the media of those who, may be good people, even seem to be “family friendly” entertainment, but is without Jesus. That is what “ungodly is”, not bad, just “no God”.
We stand in the way with sinners. We spend long periods with those who live in adultery, drunkenness, immorally, lying. Although it may be entertaining, and really funny, we are really becoming a participant with their sin. We are becoming accomplices, by our minds looking on a woman to lust after her (Matthew 5:28), by thinking on things beneath, instead of above (Colossians 3:1-2). By not casting down imaginations, but encouraging them (2 Corithians 10:5). Enjoying that which will never be broadcast in the throne room of God, before the one who is “Holy, Holy, Holy” for His enjoyment (Revelations 4:6-8).
And lastly we are sitting in the seat with those who are scorners? Those who lives “take pleasure” in the evil of Romans 1:28-32.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Will you want to be in “that number”, those who you spend so much of your time with, on Judgement day. You know; the virtual fighters, the movie stars, and music artists, your accomplices? They are who you aspire to, think about, and spend your time with.
It was not like that for the saints of old. Many did not read newspapers or magazines of their time. Some refused movies, plays, or the festivals of the ungodly, sinner and scorner of their day. And in their desire to fulfill Phillipians 4: 4-9. Their minds, and hearts remained pure and sensitive to Jesus.
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand.
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
Those things, which ye have both learned, and received, and heard, and seen in me, do: and the God of peace shall be with you.
Many of you are saying that you will not stop watching the world’s entertainment, or “what is wrong with a little diversion”, or I am not watching anything “that bad”.
Remember the scripture in 1 John 2:15-17.
Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
Why is it that so many refuse to believe that loving the world’s stuff, positions us as enemies to God? Jesus in the parable of the Sower, said that the 3rd group who received the seed (the word), the word was choked because of the cares of this world,…, and the lust of other things.
Mark 4:19
And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.
And again in Galatians 5:16-21:
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law.
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
We are now surrounded with good Christian media; movies, books, videos, games. There is no excuse for a Christian to prefer, even spend the majority of their time, “titillating” their mind with worldly lust filled entertainment. Yes the draw of the worldly media is powerful, but Jesus said, broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many go in (Matthew 7:13-14).
Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.
For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.
I want to be like the saints of old, I am committing to seeking and watching Christian media only. You many not be were I am, it is a process. But understand, you cannot have the majority of your time at the wells of Sodom, without it’s influence affecting you. Will you be like the daughters of Lot, justifying their wickedness?
Last thoughts
These two things have also influenced my thoughts on this matter. One is a principle, the other is a direct word from God.
First, “Am I justifying the Good, and condemning the Evil?” or “Am I justifying the Evil and condemning the Good?” I ask that of myself frequently when I am confronted with failure in my actions, character or situation, that I have to give a response about. As a Christian, I should be justifying the Good, but we often justifying our ungodly, sinful, or evil actions instead. Where are you on this in your heart right now, are you justifying your lust for the worldly media? God is listening.
The second, came while thinking about these things years ago, I heard God say to me, “Entertainment is the strong drink of the mind, getting us caught up with it’s value, but in the end leaving us with nothing”.
We need to be careful about what we entertain ourselves with. Remember…
Ephesians 4:1-16 (NAS) Copyright © The Lockman Foundation:
Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.
But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints; and there must be no filthiness and silly talk, or coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks.
For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.
Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience.
Therefore do not be partakers with them; for you were formerly darkness, but now you are Light in the Lord; walk as children of Light (for the fruit of the Light consists in all goodness and righteousness and truth), trying to learn what is pleasing to the Lord.
Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them; for it is disgraceful even to speak of the things which are done by them in secret.
But all things become visible when they are exposed by the light, for everything that becomes visible is light.
For this reason it says, “Awake, sleeper, And arise from the dead, And Christ will shine on you.”
Therefore be careful how you walk, not as unwise men but as wise, making the most of your time, because the days are evil.
Dec 17, 2011
Minister Franklin Mayfield
