Beech Tree News Network

            “Pride touched Naaman, the Syrian general, and made him revolt at Elisha’s command to dip seven times in Jordan (II Kings 5:11-12).

             Self-Righteousness touched the Pharisee and blinded him to his own corruption and the publican’s virtues (Lk. 18:11-12).

             Worldly Ambitions touched the eyes of the young ruler and blacked out the possibility of an eternal crown (Lk. 18:23).

             Love Of This Present World touched the heart of Demas and led him away from Paul and a faithful life (II Tim. 4:10).

             Covetousness touched Balaam and blinded him to the tragedy of loving the wages of unrighteousness (II Pet. 2:15).

             Self-Will touched the vision of Saul and blinded him to the practice and consequence of presumption (I Sam. 15:22).

             Enticement Of Women finally put out Samson’s eyes and sent him to grind in a Philistine mill (Judges 16).

             Human Traditions blinded Jerusalem so that she could not see her Christ (Mk. 7:7-9).

             Beware! ‘Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin’ (Heb. 3:12, 13).”

             The above was written by someone who chose to remain anonymous. Though we do not know the writer’s name, this person has done a fine job in describing the harmful effects of sin in the lives of people in the Bible. In like manner, sin still produces harmful effects in the lives of men today! Let us remember that sin was not a “joke,” “cute,” or “harmless” back then, and it is not that way today! The Holy Spirit inspired Solomon to write, “Fools make a mock at sin...” (Prov. 14:9). This is the truth! Look again at the people listed above and see how their lives were harmed by sin. In like manner, let us understand that sin continues to devastate and harm men (Rom. 6:23; Jas. 1:14-15). Men sin on a daily basis and must face the harmful consequences of their sin!

             The sad part is that many of those who are in the midst of sin are so blinded to it, that they don’t even know that they are in danger! How we need to wake up to the danger of sin, get our lives right with God, and then labor to help others who are still in their sin (Rom. 13:11; Mk. 16:16; I Tim. 4:16).

             Let us never become callous and unfeeling to sin and its consequences. Sin blinds people to the spiritual reality around them, for sin results in spiritual death (Ezek. 18:4, 20; Jas. 1:14-15). Sin truly destroys people’s souls, and we need to make sure that we are not ignorant of the devices of Satan against men (II Cor. 2:11). Yes, beware of sin’s blinding touch!

-- You are invited to visit with the Caneyville church of Christ. Times of services: Sun.: 10:00 am, 10:45 am, 5:00 pm; Wed.: 7:00 pm. Website: http://caneyvillechurchofchrist.com Tune in to our radio program 101.5 FM at 5:30 am, Mon-Fri. Questions? Call: (270) 589-4167