From riches to rags – how to destroy your life

Looking at the life of Lot from the end to the beginning helps to put a right perspective on the decisions that he made and the consequences that he brought on himself and his family

I. Genesis 19:30-38

A. Isolation – Fear leads to irrational thinking – note 19:19 and refer to –

1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.

B. Intoxication

An illustration of life, people making wrong decisions that had their beginning in what was considered innocent flirtations with the world! His intoxication led him to do things that he never would have done while sober! The Lord’s warning should be enough –

Proverbs 20:1 Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.

but, if not, I hope that this experience will put fear into your heart and mind!

C. Incest. A portrait of a destruction. Note their ignorance!

19:31 “…there is not a man in the earth…” Their father had brought them to this!

There is no way that you could have convinced young Lot that he would lead his family into this situation.!

II. Genesis 19:12-26

A. Loss of testimony 19:14 “…he seemed as one that mocked unto his sons in law.”

B. Loss of courage 19:18-20

C. Loss of wife 19:26 Looking back, not with thankfulness of being rescued, but with longing for the past. She is like one of those today who rejects the righteousness of God and argues against His judgment – “God really does not mean what He says”!

III. Genesis 19:5-9

A. Begged mercy from the wicked. 19:5-7

B. Betrayed his family 19:8 “…not known man…”

They were virtuous in wicked surroundings. They were good girls! He thought more of his duty to others than he did to his own family! We may say “That is horrible”! Yes, but what do our children think is more important to us than them? “Don’t do that, you will embarrass us” instead of “don’t do that, it is not right”!

C. Beaten by his fellow citizens 19:9 He should not have been surprised!

IV. Genesis 18:23,24; 32,33

A. Witness in ungodly surroundings.

2 Peter 2:6-8 And turning the cities of Sodom and Gomorrha into ashes condemned them with an overthrow, making them an ensample unto those that after should live ungodly; And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)

He knew right but was not willing to stand for it – We are exhorted to stand for the truth –

1 Corinthians 15:58 Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.

B. Wasted his opportunity. Refer to Acts 17:16-23

When Paul was grieved by the ungodliness of the people; he spoke out against their practice. They ridiculed Paul, but he spoke for their good, giving them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Lot was vexed day to day, but had no testimony among the people.

V. Genesis 14:11-24

A. He resided in the wrong place. 14:11,12

B. He was rescued from the war. 14:13-16

C. He returned to the wrong place. 14:21

VI. Genesis 13:1-11

A. His family 13:1,2

B. His fortune 13:5-7

C. His failure. 13:8-11

He had learned how to gain wealth but had not learned how to use it for the glory of God!  He saw everything that he had accumulated throughout his life destroyed in the rain of fire from the Lord – fire, smoke, ashes were all that was left.

This is the momentous decision that began his spiral into degradation. He could have made a right decision anytime from his departure from Abraham to his flight from Zoar, but he did not. He continued to make one bad decision after the other because he would not repent. He could have at any time asked God for forgiveness and approached Abraham for forgiveness. The servant of Abraham lived as a prince (remember the thoughts of the Prodigal Son?). Lot refused to repent, reaped the consequences of his sin, and destroyed his family.
What is the next decision that we will make and how will it affect us and those around us?
Are you saved, have you repented of your sins and placed your faith in the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you right in your life, today, at this moment, or do you have decisions you need to repent of and get back on the right path that God has for you?