The Jordan Valley was well watered everywhere, “like the garden of the Lord” (Gen 13:10), so Lot took his hungry flocks there. But choosing to dwell in the best of the land turned out to be one of the worst decision, for the text includes this note: “This was before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah.” In fact, a glance ahead reveals that in addition to Sodom, God destroyed all vegetation in the land-the very reason why Lot initially felt attracted to the valley (Gen 19:25).
Here we learn the painful principle that in time, we relinquish even the “benefits” of sin. What initially seemed so attractive to Lot-what so quickly satisfiedhis need-brought him what all fleshly decisions eventually bring: a temporary benefit with long-term regret (2 Peter 2:7-8)
Consider how often we make lifelong choice based on the impulse of a glance. We buy cars with all the extras, we run stop signs, we buy things on impulse at the grocery store checkout counter. The questions we must ask ourselves are, How will this decision affect me spiritually? How will this affect my relationship with God?
Lot’s failure teaches us that before we pay a penny for sin, we should consider the real price of a divided heart. Where we have compromised, we should immediately run to the forgiving arms of our Lord Jesus-and not look back.