Genesis 13:12 (KJV) says,
Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom.
Notice that Lot pitched his tent toward Sodom. Every day his attention was placed on that city. Here is what the Bible says about those that lived there.
But the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners before the LORD exceedingly (Genesis 13:13, KJV).
What we focus our attention on will influence us. It will try to draw us in like a magnet. The next time we read about Lot he is living in Sodom.
And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed (Genesis 14:12, KJV).
Next we find him even further entrenched among the people of Sodom. Genesis 19:1 declares that Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom.
In Eastern cities, the “gate” was a place devoted to business transactions, the administration of justice, and the enjoyment of social discourse and amusement. Lot was right “in the thick of things”—but it happened by degrees. It was a process.
What you view and listen to, and the company you keep, will influence you—sometimes in very subtle ways—and will play a role in shaping your values and character.
So be careful where you pitch your tent!
8 comments:
So true. And today it is way to easy to get off track so you better have some good accountability partners out there. Father, give us all the strength to honor You in all we say and do and that we have the strength to walk away when needed.
cas
"Pitching a tent" seems so temporary; so "open to the elements". But I guess that's our existence here on earth. Isn't it great to know, by contrast, that Christ is preparing a ROOM for us in heaven? And not only is it protected and safe, but it's eternal. Better then this "tent".
tba
Posted for Scott: As one who, it could be said, lives in a modern day "Sodom" (NYC), there is also an influence in the other direction. Faithful Christians planted in cities can become a "city within a city," a "city on a hill" as Jesus taught, that shows a dying, broken world an alternative way that leads to life and to human flourishing. When Israel was exiled to Babylon, Jeremiah tells them to stay in Babylon, put roots there, and seek the welfare and peace of the city in which they lived...to in effect work for the flourishing and healing of a broken, debauched city. Christians must be careful not to be "led into temptation" while in the world. Yet Christians must stay in the world as salt and light, seeking to be the best and most loving, attractive and life-giving artists, physicians, landscapers, businessmen and women, neighbors, etc. that the world can see..."that the world may see our good works and glorify our Father in heaven."
Can I be bold, and just ask you guys to do something for yourselves and your families: Don't allow yourselves to even walk by the magazine rack at the grocery store! For me, that's as close to "pitching my tent toward Sodom" as I get on a daily basis. The images used to sell magazines slowly program me to think about destructive things, if you know what I mean.
A couple of years ago, I stood in front of the magazine rack with my son and explained to him why he would never see me standing in that spot again. He really appreciated the fact that I was committing to have eyes only for his mom - and it didn't hurt that other folks were listening in on our conversation.
We can be a light to the world - but we have to be careful with our own eyes before we can help others. The lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life - in that order - are our enemies...
Father God,
I pray now Lord that Your word would indeed be a lamp unto our feet and a light onto our paths. Let us focus on You Lord so that we can do the good things that you have prepared in advance for us to do. Lord, let us be the men that you would have us be. Apart from you we can do nothing! Lord, I ask this for myself and these men in the name of Jesus.
PS Men, I am thankful for each of you sharing this blog. Your efforts are noticed and God's word is true. "As Iron sharpens Iron so one man sharpens another!"
Posted for TRD: I enjoyed Scott's comments (via cas). it is a battle we fight on a daily basis. to be in the world but not of it. to go into places where as a christian your ideas, values, beliefs may not be popular but they are needed. to do this is indeed a fight and helps me further appreciate the verse about "putting on our armor for God".
I must admit that sometimes even "work" is a distraction for me, especially when it comes to blogging regularly. Lord, I pray that we will keep our focus on You and not the distractions of the world.
- LT
not a surprise to all of you to "hear" me say, "I don't blog enough". But, I do need the fellowship.
God has clearly called me into a world of little christian influence for a career. There is no doubt that this is where God wants me. I have had strong christian fellowship my whole life, but for whatever reason in my current hometown, I have found christian friendships hard to come by. With no family or long term friendships in the area, and the fellowship almost absent, it is indeed a tough to keep my tent pitched in the proper camp.
I do feel God has uniquely prepared me to live long term in another camp, but I know I need more fellowship and this blog is one of the rare places I can find it right now.
So, when you don't see my blogs for a long period of time, please pray for me, and bug me. One hint...I get 200+ emails a day at work, and often I only read subject lines. So, if you want to bug me, bug me in the subject line. ;-)
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