by Recently, I pondered Lot and his ultimate demise. What went wrong in Lot’s life. I believe he got side-tracked from what God wanted for his life.
The Bible tells us Lot was saved or justified in God’s eyes.
II Peter 2:7-8 “And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them…)”
But what happened? What happened in Lot’s life to get him side-tracked?
Lot was a farmer and meant to be in the field caring for the herds and his herdsmen. The Bible tells us that Abram and Lot had so many animals that they could no longer dwell together in peace. So, Abram gave Lot a choice.
Genesis 13:9 “Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me…”
First – Lot was a bit selfish. He saw the prettiest, greenish land and didn’t hesitate to take it for himself without regard to his Uncle Abram who had brought him along on this journey.
Genesis 13:10-11 “And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered…Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan…”
Second – Lot never prayed. Abram built an alter when Lot was with him in Genesis 12:8. Abram built alters other times mentioned in the Bible, but I couldn’t find a time that Lot built an alter and prayed. We know he was taught right by his Uncle Abram, but he didn’t heed to the lessons he was taught. He didn’t pray before making choices.
Third – He built his house/tent in the wrong direction!
Genesis 13:12-13 “Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom. 13 But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the Lord exceedingly.”
Lot made a choice to build his tent so when he walked out the door each day – he saw the filthiness of Sodom. He saw their riotous living, adulterous lifestyle, and their laughter while living in the pleasures in sin. Every time he even glanced out his door, he visually took in Sodom’s wicked lifestyle.
But remember, Lot was a farmer. How did he get from living in the plains to living in the city? The Bible doesn’t tell us exactly, but I believe it all came from him “pitching his tent toward Sodom” and lusting after the sinful lifestyle of Sodom.
James 1:14-15 “But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.”
At sunrise, Lot woke up each day, meandered out his door, stretched his arms, glanced toward Sodom and lusted. Eventually – at some point in time – he began to act upon his lust for the things of Sodom and he moved. He left the farm and the occupation God had for his life. He moved into Sodom and closer to the things he was lusting after.
Now, instead of sitting in the door of his tent, he was living inside Sodom and actively involved in the wicked lifestyle of the Sodomites. He now also sat at the gate of Sodom. I wonder if he ever looked towards the area his tent had been built. I wonder if he ever thought about what he lost. I wonder if he regretted the move he made and what had become of his family.
Genesis 19:1 “And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom…”
What can we learn from Lot? How can we NOT get side-tracked in life from what God wants for us?
- Build alters! Go to church every time the door is opened, pray constantly, and stay in the Bible. We are constantly bombarded with the filthiness of this world. The only way to combat such a battle is to be with the Lord as much as possible. Abram chose to build alters and spend time with the Lord, but Lot did not.
- Watch where you build your tent. “Where I build my tent?” you may say. “Yes” is my reply. Don’t spend time starring and lusting after friends and family who are lost and living in the filthiness of Sodom because sooner or later – you will become like Lot and dwell in the sins of those worldly friends. They will take you from living a life for God to living a life of sin. They will get you side-tracked.
I doubt Lot moved into Sodom in one day. He probably went there on occasion, spent time with acquaintances, and had simple meals with worldly friends. “All in good fun. I can handle hanging with the world,” Lot thought. Then one day, someone probably said, “Hey Lot, why live all the way out there in the Plains? Why not move into the city and be near us?” At this point, Lot didn’t have to pondered it – he reacted, moved in, and the rest is history.
Family Tip – Families pick a time to sit together as a family each evening. Put the phones away and talk about the filthiness each has been confronted with during the day. Get your children to discuss the worldly things taught and seen at the public schools. If your children don’t speak up – know for sure – they are being taught and seeing many things that are against the Bible.
For example, we home school our children. Last year, I had to take my daughter to the local high school for a course we were considering enrolling her in. Our car wasn’t even fully parked when my daughter said, “Wow, Mom you were right! The teenagers do hang out, hug, and kiss all over each other. Look at that couple by the corner of the building.”
Talk, as a family, about Bible verses to help refute the wickedness of this world. Parents talk about the wickedness heard at the workplace. Let your children know that this spiritual battle is real, and Satan is real.
I Peter 5:8 “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”
Strive as a family to have communications in the household about the filthiness of this world. Encourage each other, through the Bible, to avoid the sins of this world and stay close to God.
Lesson learned – Don’t get side-tracked in life like Lot. Don’t pitch your sights towards Sodom!
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