Recently I listened to a 15 minute devotional by Bro Ken Gurley. The title was “I See a Divine Reckoning”. I was intrigued by this message as he talked about the three great old sins in the Bible. He also spoke of how they are so prevalent in America. They are the Sin of Hezekiah, the sin of Molech, and the sin of Sodom. The sin of Sodom really gave me a new perspective on my Daily walk. 

The sexual immorality in Sodom was a result of the sin in Sodom. It was not the ultimate sin of Sodom but because the people of Sodom were filled with Pride, Lots of food, Prosperous and Idle, the sexual immorality was the result. They had no self control because they never needed it. If they wanted something, they got it. Now I don’t know about you but that sounds like a spoiled child to me. If you know a spoiled child then can i get an amen!!! Ezekial16:49 says “Behold, this was the guilt of your sister Sodom; she had PRIDE, EXCESS OF FOOD, & PROSPEROUS EASE but did not aid the poor and needy”. I immediately felt the Holy Spirit quicken me and  bring me to repentance. 

One definition of pride is: Pride – pleasure that comes from some relationship, association, achievement, or possession that is seen as a source of honor, respect, etc.

I begin to think about all the pride I have in my possessions and how I’ve never gone without food or a roof over my head. This thought was humbling. What I take pride in can altar where my heart is. If I take pride in my stuff I will find myself wanting more stuff. But if I take pride in the things of God, or in other words, if I take pleasure in my relationship with God, I find peace and joy.

Prosperity – the condition of being successful or thriving. Prosperity is not a sin. The ease, or as another Bible version puts it, the idleness, that results from prosperity is sin. There is such a thing as good prosperity. An example of this is to prosper in the Holy Ghost and in wisdom and knowledge in God’s Word. If we are only finding Prosperity in our possessions and wealth however, we are not focused with a kingdom mind. We will become distracted and unfocused. Unfocused people get disoriented and confused. I read about a family last year who got lost in a storm. They wandered in circles for days. They were found not even ½ a mile from a rangers station. They became disoriented from storms that blew in suddenly. They lost their focus. This caused great confusion and ultimately caused them to vear off the hiking trail. 

When I am so wrapped up in myself, I completely miss out on seeing the needs of others. The storms of life and my focus on my own selfish needs will cause me to ultimately become disoriented and unfocused. I too will vear off the daily walking trail of prayer and Bible reading. Daily life events and selfish desires will begin to BECKON me and draw my attention. If I’m not careful to put Jesus first in my life I will begin to lose sight of the need others have. As a child of God, I am commanded to love God and love others as myself. It’s my desire for others to see Jesus in me. 

My Purpose in life must always be determined by the Word of God.  Romans 8:28 says this; “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

So how about this: let’s all work together and not become like the sin of Sodom. As God prosperous us in so many ways may each of us set aside selfish pride and seek God. We are designed with purpose. When we love God he works everything, every situation in our life,  for his good purpose. 

May we set aside our pride, use our Prosperity for kingdom advancement, and walk daily in his Purpose.