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Challenges of Following God
Avoid Sin’s Consequences

Genesis 19:12-14 (Monday)
“The two men said to Lot, "Do you have anyone else here--sons-in-law, sons or daughters, or anyone else in the city who belongs to you? Get them out of here, because we are going to destroy this place. The outcry to the LORD against its people is so great that he has sent us to destroy it." So Lot went out and spoke to his sons-in-law, who were pledged to marry his daughters. He said, "Hurry and get out of this place, because the LORD is about to destroy the city!" But his sons-in-law thought he was joking.” (NIV)
1) On May 1, we touched a little bit on the righteous, (2 Peter 2:7-8) but, very carnal-minded, Lot (Romans 8:5-8 KJV). As we read Monday’s passage, we see how Lot’s friendship with the world (James 4:4) very nearly cost his life and the lives of those he loved. Lot had become polluted by the world (James 1:27). 1 John 2:16 gives three distinct ways the world (a.k.a., satan) draws us away from God. What are they?
2) Read over Genesis 13 and see if any, or all of these deceptions may have been possible motives in Lot’s choices.
3) The cities of Sodom and Gomorrah had become an awful stench in the nostrils of God (Genesis 18:20-21 and Genesis 19:3). Based on Genesis 19:1-5, what was the great sin of Sodom?
4) Lot, who was righteous (in right standing) with God, was also so alienated in his relationship with God, so entrenched in the world, that he actually believed that offering his virgin daughters (Genesis 19:8) was an viable option to fending off ungodly men! Self-effort (the flesh) was definitely at work here (Romans 7:18)! Will we ever learn?
5) Put a little thought into this question—how might things have gone differently if Lot had applied the truth of Romans 12:2 to his situation?
6) Even with the redeeming arm of God right before him (Genesis 19:1), Lot failed to recognize the power and awesome ability of God to completely deliver him and his family (Zephaniah 3:17)! What had happened to Lot’s faith (Hebrews 3:12-13)?
7) Let’s talk a little bit about our personal responsibility to be salt and light in this world (Matthew 5:13-16 and 1 Peter 2:11-15). In Genesis 19:1, the angels find Lot sitting in the gateway of the city. Many Bible scholars agree that this most probably indicates that Lot held a position of authority in the city—was probably a town leader and/or spokesman. Talk about having a field ripe for harvest! What an opportunity to shine for Jesus! Yet, many years after entering plain lands of Sodom and Gomorrah, Lot was still the only righteous person there. According to Genesis 19:14, what kind of spiritual impact did Lot have on his future son-in-laws? How about anyone in Sodom?
8) The future son-in-laws—now that opens up a whole new can of worms. Remember, back in Genesis 19:4, it states that all the men, young and old, tried to commit abominations with the angels of God! You have to question if the men Lot intended to give his daughters to were also, at some time or other, involved in these same wicked practices. How does Lot’s approval of these marriages speak of the depth of Lot’s worldly influence (Romans 8:7)?
9) What did the hardness of the hearts of the future son-in-laws cost them (Proverbs 28:14; Proverbs 29:1 and Romans 2:4-5)?
Genesis 19:15-17 (Tuesday)
“With the coming of dawn, the angels urged Lot, saying, "Hurry! Take your wife and your two daughters who are here, or you will be swept away when the city is punished." When he hesitated, the men grasped his hand and the hands of his wife and of his two daughters and led them safely out of the city, for the LORD was merciful to them. As soon as they had brought them out, one of them said, "Flee for your lives! Don't look back, and don't stop anywhere in the plain! Flee to the mountains or you will be swept away!” (NIV)
1) Here we see just how far God’s patience (slow to boil) and mercy (unmerited favor) go (Exodus 34:5-8)! Lot is holding on to Sodom for all he’s worth, even after being told of its sure and imminent destruction! Lot, his wife and his daughters had to be literally dragged outside the city by the sheer brute force of the angels—yes, read verse 16 carefully, they all had to be seized by the hand! What were they thinking! Seriously, what were they thinking? What was the hold (Luke 8:9-15, especially verse 14)?
2) Well, we just can’t skip over verses 18-22! God has delivered righteous Lot and his family, and boy, Lot still holds onto that carnal nature! Instead of total obedience in fleeing to the mountains, Lot asks to stay in a town nearby. What was his excuse and what was the sin(s) behind it (Job 8:14-15 as compared to Psalms 121:1-3—see also Hebrews 3:12)?
3) Is partial obedience pleasing to God? Read Deuteronomy 28:1-14 to find God’s blessings for fully obeying His commands. Warning! Be sure and read the rest of the chapter to see the results of failing to fully obey! Thank God, as His children we can cling to the promise of Psalm 103:8-12!
4) Why do you think God was so faithful to Lot, even though Lot was anything but faithful to God (1 Thessalonians 5:24; Hebrews 10:23 and praise God—Hebrews 6:13-20)!
5) What lengths has our heavenly Father gone to such to demonstrate His great love toward us (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; and Ephesians 1:3-12)?
Genesis 19;23-26 (Wednesday)
“By the time Lot reached Zoar, the sun had risen over the land. Then the LORD rained down burning sulfur on Sodom and Gomorrah--from the LORD out of the heavens. Thus he overthrew those cities and the entire plain, including all those living in the cities--and also the vegetation in the land. But Lot's wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt.” (NIV)
6) Looking back. Let me tell you from experience, this is not a good idea! Oh, there’s a Bible verse for this, Proverbs 26:11. Doesn’t sound too pretty, does it? Let me tell you, the consequences, as Lot’s wife found out, are devastating! Why do you think she looked back (Matthew 19:24, 28-30; Luke 12:34; Acts 13:44-52)?
7) No, once God has delivered us from the bondage of sin, we should never longingly look back on our old life and existence. Oh, it does us good to remember how God has delivered us (Deuteronomy 8:2), but never look back thinking the past was better (1 John 2:15-17). This is what the Israelites did over and over again! Read Hebrews 3:8-11 and see what looking back cost them!
8) Looking back with longing or with a mournful sense of loss on our sinful past is like spitting into God’s face (Luke 9:57-62; Colossians 1:13-14 and Hebrews 6:4-6)! Take an inventory of all God has delivered you from and especially, what He has brought you into (Ephesians 1:3-14) and give Him the thanks and praise He so richly deserves (Psalms 145:3; Revelation 4:11 and Revelation 5:12)!
Genesis 19:27-29 (Thursday)
“Early the next morning Abraham got up and returned to the place where he had stood before the LORD. He looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, toward all the land of the plain, and he saw dense smoke rising from the land, like smoke from a furnace. So when God destroyed the cities of the plain, he remembered Abraham, and he brought Lot out of the catastrophe that overthrew the cities where Lot had lived.” (NIV)
1) You have to flash back to Genesis 18:17-33 to fully appreciate the early rising, the pacing and the watching of Abraham. What concern and love for his nephew, Lot! Read Abraham’s intercession for Sodom and Gomorrah. You just know he had his nephew, Lot deep in his heart and mind while he boldly bargained with God! Do you ever dare to get bold and specific in your pleading with God for others (Hebrews 4:16 (KJV) and James 4:2-3)?
2) If you don’t think intercession has a place in your life read, Ezekiel 22:29-31; Matthew 5:44-48; and 1 Timothy 2:1)!
2 Peter 2:6-10 (Friday)
“…if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)-- if this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the sinful nature and despise authority. Bold and arrogant, these men are not afraid to slander celestial beings;…”
1) Well, after all we have studied about our brother, Lot, it is hard to believe that he was “a good man who was sick of all the immorality and wickedness around him – 2 Peter 2:7.” So, is it possible to be a child of God, and be so ingrained in the world (flesh, sin) that you fail to realize your own need for cleansing (2 Samuel 11)? You better believe it—ask king David, and he was called by God, “a man after my own heart (1 Samuel 13:14)!
2) As believers, sin should greatly distress us. It should cause us to weep and mourn. Do you ever include yourself when interceding for others? government? your nation (Numbers 14:11-20; Genesis 45:1-15 50:17-21, You really have to read this whole story to understand. Start with chapter 37; and 2 Chronicles 7:14)?
3) Let’s be careful to “judge not, lest ye be judged (Matthew 7:1).” Remember, God Word calls Lot righteous! We need to remember that “though a righteous man falls seven times, he rises again (Proverbs 24:16)!” Seven indicates completeness. In other words, yes, we are going to sin, perhaps, over and over again, but God is Faithful (Hebrews l0:23). He will pick us up and set our feet on the Solid Rock—Christ Jesus (Psalms 40;2)!
4) Why do you suppose God is going to be “especially hard” on those who are proud and despise authority (Matthew 28:18; John 14:26-31 and Romans 13:1-2)?
5) Pride was satan’s great sin. Isaiah 14:12-17 and Ezekiel 28:18-19 speaks of satan’s prideful fall and promises a great hope for all God’s people—satan will be made a spectacle before all the world and then he will be completely destroyed! Amen and amen! No wonder Proverbs 6:16-19 says that a proud or haughty look is number 1 in the things that God hates! Psalms 31:23 says God will pay back the proud in full!”

Beloved, so just how do we overcome the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life (all of which is of the world)? Revelation 12:11 tells us, “…they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death..” This is where our power lays—go out this week and use it!