1 Peter 2:7-9 And delivered just Lot, vexed with the filthy conversation of the wicked: 8 (For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;) 9 The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished:
God was merciful in delivering Lot out of Sodom. I use the word “mercy” because it means “not getting what you do deserve.” Lot deserved God’s fiercest judgment. His lifestyle and testimony in the city of Sodom and Gomorrah was detestable at best. He began his journey to Sodom as a righteous man, and according to this verse, that is the way he ended his journey as well. No one’s righteousness in the sight of God is based on personal performance. Righteousness is based on the perfection of Jesus Christ. Lot’s faith was in a coming “Lamb of God” that would take away his sins. This is no different than our faith in the “Lamb of God” that came and took away our sins. Lot’s issue wasn’t an issue of salvation; it was an issue of sanctification. The word “sanctification” carries the idea of being set apart for a special use, holy, separately reserved for god or godliness.
So what happened to Lot that destroyed his testimony? Perhaps the more correct question would be, “Who happened to Lot that destroyed his testimony? Grammatically, it sounds a little rough, but Biblically it makes sense. Galatians 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? It’s not that Lot could blame anyone else, he had to take full responsibility, but no doubt there were people that helped sear his godly conscience so that sin didn’t bother him anymore.
Verse 7 says that he was “vexed by the filthy conversation of the wicked” in Sodom. The word “vexed” means “to wear down with labor, “to exhaust.” The word “conversation” means “manner of life” or “life style.” The word “wicked” speaks of rebels against God. These people exhausted his spiritual strength by their continual assault on God’s laws.
Verse 8 Here we see Lot’s first mistake. “He dwelt among them” Lot’s name would have never been connected to such wickedness had he never lived in Sodom. I can hear it now, “We’ll go there and be a witness.” “We’ll make a difference in that city, but first we need to just fit in and be accepted by the people.” I know missionaries go to wicked cities and live there in order to make a difference, but if you read Lot’s story in Genesis, you will see that his true motive wasn’t evangelistic. His true motive was entertainment. The sin of the city drew him in. Psalm 1:1-2 reminds us that it is never a good thing to be influenced by the wrong crowd. Instead of finding delight in the world, we should delight in the Word. Lot’s second mistake was what he watched and what he listened to while in that city. The Bible says through “seeing and hearing he vexed his righteous soul.” In the New Testament we may say “seared his conscience” like in 1 Timothy 3:2…having their conscience seared with a hot iron; Even in 2010 this is how Christian’s quench the Holy Spirit in their life. The 3 major influences: Sinners, Sights, and Sounds. Think about it. Television, Music, and People are the world’s way of influence. There is no doubt that the devil will use these avenues to numb Christians to God’s will in their life. We might think, “well I don’t do that stuff, I just watch it or I just listen to it.” I know. That is the problem. The Bible records no statement that says Lot was personally involved either. It simply states that he saw it and heard it and it numbed him spiritually to what God wanted for him. This didn’t happen all at once; it happened “day by day.” If sin jumped out in a black robe with fire in its hand, we would identify it and run, but that isn’t how sin works. It seems harmless, fun, interesting, cute, and cool, but over time it becomes a monster that is out of control in our life. This truth is evidenced by beer commercials which are the funniest commercials on television, but the end result of alcohol is far from funny. It’s just one cigarette. It’s just my favorite rock song. It’s just a few pages on the internet. It’s just one cuss word, one sex scene, one dirty joke, but before we know it, we find ourselves trapped in sin. Our pet sins become killer monsters. We are no longer separated to be used by God.
So what do I do when I find myself vexed by the sights and sounds of this world? Do what Lot did, Run!!! But, don’t make God pull you out while the walls are crumbling around your life. That kind of exit strategy is painful and it will scar your life forever. Run from sin to the Savior.
2 Corinthians 6:17-7:1 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. 1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The ask God for forgiveness and you forsake the sin. 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
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