Sin still sin, and sin bites back

My, how times are changing! Actually, they’re not, because there’s nothing new under the sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9). Kids will still be kids, but the mischief I got into seems nothing compared to what my grandson does. There’re a lot more opportunities for naughtiness now than when I was young.

Two things haven’t changed, though, regarding mischief or naughtiness (let’s call that for what it is — sin). First, sin is usually fun, often in a warped way. That is, we sin seeking pleasure, but the kind we shouldn’t desire (Hebrews 11:24-26, 13-16; John 10:10; Proverbs 10:23-24; 21:17; James 4:1-4).

How many times have you heard, “If I can only have/do this, I’ll be happy”? One warped nature of pleasure-seeking sin comes because people think they’ll be happy when others face misfortune because of their sin. This has at least two forms: 1) vengeance (“I won’t rest until I get even with you for not letting me do that”) and 2) putting stumbling blocks in the path of the blind or leading them astray (Leviticus 19:14; Deuteronomy 27:18).

What kind of people have nothing better to do than devise computer viruses that only shut down computers, even when they cannot personally see the outcome of their pleasure-seeking? Sadly, these are completely deluded individuals who gain pleasure only in their minds. I guess, in a truly warped and evil way, they’re among those who’re blessed without seeing, although, the outcome of their sin isn’t blessedness because condemnation still will come (John 20:29; Isaiah 44:13-20; Psalm 4:2; 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12).

Pleasure-seeking is actually idolatry that takes matters from bad to worse (2 Timothy 3:1-4; Philippians 3:18-19; 2 Peter 2:13-14; Titus 3:3; Colossians 3:5-6). For example, consider how the so-called harmless intoxicants (alcohol and marijuana) that in and of themselves can ruin lives often progress to the opioids and other “hard” drugs that are devastating our country — all in the pursuit of pleasure by sellers and buyers alike.

The second fact that hasn’t changed about sin is that, no matter how deluded we are in thinking we can get away with it, consequences still come, and they’re not limited to the eternal consequences everyone faces if they don’t get right with God eternally separated from him of the second death in hell (Romans 3:23; 6:23; Revelation 20:11-15; Acts 2:38-39; Ephesians 1:3-14; 1 Peter 1:3-5; Matthew 25:31-46; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10).

I’m referring to what many call “karma.” For example, my grandson was so focused on carrying out one of his dastardly deeds recently that he didn’t realize he was standing too close to an ant bed and, yep, he got nailed. I let him know it was just a subtle reminder his sins always would find him out and that sin bites back with the sting of a possibly deadly poison (Numbers 32:23; Proverbs 23:31-32; Acts 28:1-6, especially, verse 4; 1 Corinthians 15:56-58).

Have you taken God’s antidote for the sting and poison of sin by avoiding it and its consequences, looking forward to the eternal reward (Romans 6:1-8)?

Leonard Lauriault is a member of the Church of Christ in Logan who writes about faith for the Quay County Sun. Contact him at [email protected].