Read Psalm 73:1-9 – Truly God is good to Israel, to such as are pure in heart. But as for me, my feet had almost stumbled; my steps had nearly slipped. For I was envious of the boastful, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. For there are no pangs in their death, but their strength is firm. They are not in trouble as other men, nor are they plagued like other men. Therefore pride serves as their necklace; violence covers them like a garment. Their eyes bulge with abundance; they have more than heart could wish. They scoff and speak wickedly concerning oppression; they speak loftily. They set their mouth against the heavens, and their tongue walks through the earth. (NKJV)
Why is impurity so appealing? The tragic stories lived by thousands who have chosen the path of impurity are readily available for retelling, yet thousands more propel themselves down the same path. Why? Throughout the Bible, prophets wrestled with the apparent prosperity of the wicked. Those who were not yet paying the price seemed to tell a louder story than those who had crumbled under the weight of wrong choices. The guy “getting away with it” is the one we more naturally follow. Of course, he doesn’t get away with it forever, but by the time his choices have caught up with him, we’ve taken several more steps down the same path. Don’t be fooled by the apparent victory of the unrighteous. The game isn’t over, and the final outcome has already been determined. Impurity leads to destruction.
– Dr. Mike Clarensau serves as Senior Director of the Healthy Church Network of the Assemblies of God.
National Men’s Leadership Conference: March 8-10, 2012 . Dallas, Texas . www.men.ag.org
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