Oftentimes, defining moment decisions in life don't present themselves at the time as all that significant to our moral or spiritual well-being. We don't see fireworks, bells don't go off, and life seems to just go on as usual after the decision is made. Abraham's nephew Lot had to make a decision like that when he chose where he would live. Abraham and Lot decided to part company because the land they were inhabiting was not big enough for both of their families and all of their flocks and herds. So Abraham extended to Lot the first choice of land. Lot chose the well-watered plain of the Jordan. This seemed like a reasonable choice...at the time. But there was something else about this land that made this choice a defining moment decision for Lot and his family.
The place where he chose to pitch his tent was toward the wicked city of Sodom. When we pick up the story of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah in Genesis Chapter 19, Lot is no longer just moving "toward" Sodom. He is living "in" Sodom, and many scholars believe that he was actually on the city council, perhaps even the mayor. When the angels of the Lord come to rescue him and his family from the fire to come, he actually offers his virgin daughters to the gang of men in the street who want to have sexual relations with the angels in his house. Where did Lot go wrong? How did he miss the importance of this defining moment decision that led to such a moral breakdown?
Downplay the Upside While Playing Up the Downside.
Lot looked at all the great things about the land he chose but considered none of the negative consequences of living in the midst of the infamously wicked cities of Sodom and Gomorrah. When making a decision, always take the negative consequences into consideration before the positive benefits, because, chances are, the negative is worse than it seems at first and the positive is never as good as you imagined it would be.
Selfish Decisions Usually Lead to Destruction While Unselfish Decisions Usually Lead to Life.
Lot made a selfish decision, because he was thinking of the wealth of the land and not the moral and spiritual toll on his family. Don't allow selfish personal desire get in the way of making responsible decisions for you and those in your care.
Bad Company Corrupts Good Character More Than Good Character Influences Bad Company.
Whatever positive influence Lot thought he might have on the wicked people of Sodom, his close personal association with them was sure to drag him down faster than he could pull them up. Continual close association with the enemies of God usually leads to the corruption of your own character.
It's Easier to Make a Fast Break Than a Slow Motion Move.
Lot hesitated when the angels told him to leave Sodom, and his wife looked back, causing her to turn to a pillar of salt. Before a wipeout, God always provided a way out. But when God says move, you'd better move fast...and don't look back..
