By Larry Ray Hafley
The Bible teaches that sin is not static. Rather, it is always on the move, always growing and developing “unto more ungodliness” (2 Tim. 2:16-18). It does not recede on its own. It is very aggressive, determined, and pervasive. It only gets worse (2 Tim. 3:13).
Facts and statistics from Paul K. Williams in South Africa show the insidious growth of sin.
Item #1 — 30% of pregnant women in Kwazulu-Natal are HIV positive.
Item #2 — One in three women in South Africa either have been or will be raped.
Item #3 — CGU Insurance Ltd. has just announced a “Rape Survivor” insurance policy. To the rape victim it offers HIV tests, AZT treatment, rape and aids counseling, etc.
Imagine how frequently the sin of fornication must be committed for the items above to be true?! If that many are being affected and infected, consider how many are guilty of sexual sins that will doom their souls in hell (1 Cor. 6:9-11; Eph. 5:3-11; Heb. 13:4)!
Such conditions existed in the days of Noah and in Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 6:5, 11, 19). Is America far behind? The plants of “lust unlimited,” as sown in magazines and movies, will produce a corrupt crop. Much of modern media, from television to the theater, can be summed up in three words: lewd, crude, and nude. And the end is not yet. “Evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived” (2 Tim. 3:13).
What are we to do? Acceptance and acquiescence are not options! “Denying ungodliness and worldly lusts,” we must “live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ” (Tit. 2:12, 13). “Only let your conversation (manner of life) be as it becometh the gospel of Christ” (Phil. 1:27). Place your living hope in the living God, and teach others the way of righteousness. Trust him. Teach them.
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