DON'T TORMENT YOUR SOUL
2 PETER 2:7-8
2 PETER 2:7-8 NKJ
7 and delivered righteous Lot, who was oppressed by the filthy conduct of the wicked 8 (for that righteous man, dwelling among them, tormented his righteous soul from day to day by seeing and hearing their lawless deeds)—
These verses give us insight into what has been a problem for mankind for thousands of years.
Our culture may have changed, but human nature has not.
The backstory is when Lot separated from Abraham in Genesis thirteen. The land could not sustain their herds, so Lot went towards the best-looking land. This land, in the plain of the Jordan, contained Sodom and Gomorrah. These two cities were infamous for their sexual depravity.
At first, Lot only pitched his tent towards Sodom. He was just looking, but later we discover he is living there. And seeing and hearing their lawless deeds tormented his righteous soul. Lot was a good man and had been influenced by his godly uncle Abraham. The scriptures say he was a righteous man. But he was living among the people of Sodom, and it impacted him in a negative way. His soul, mind, and emotions were troubled by what he heard and saw. It hurt Lot. He was not influencing Sodom and Gomorrah; their actions were troubling him.
APPLICATION:
Lot did not start out in Sodom. He was just looking. Just looking is the first step. Whatever is bothering you, check up on your input. What is coming into your life? What are you looking at and listening to?
There are many movies I don't watch and internet sites I don't visit. I do not want what I see and hear tormenting my soul. I have watched movies in the past and felt grieved when they ended. There is no doubt that my present entertainment sources are limited. But my soul is at rest, and I am not having to battle the images I have seen. The best cure for pornography is not to go there. Even if it's not porn, but a movie with sex in it, just looking just does not work.
A good question to ask. When it's over, how do you feel? Good or grieved? Anything you want to reduce the effect of you starve. Anything you want to grow stronger, you feed. So, feed on God's word, good messages, and worship music. You knew I would be going here, but hey, these things bless our righteous souls. They do not cause torment.
PRAYER:
Forgive me, Lord, for feeding on anything that hurts my soul. Living clean is living strong.