Lesson Sixteen

Salt In The World… Have it Your Way

 

Introduction:

Every instruction in the Bible is given for a purpose...no admonition is presented frivolously. Our theme verse, (Rom. 12:2) is itself an instruction to us as are Jesus' words in (Lk. 17:32).

Now, just what are we supposed to remember about Lot's wife? She and another woman in the Bible are going to give us the ultimate examples of conformity and transformation.

First, let's read Mrs. Lot's biography in (Gen. 19:26). Now there is quite a legacy...but why? Let's go back to the beginning and look at what Lot's wife possessed:

A. A wealthy husband - (Gen. 13:10-11)

[1]. Lot took the better part of the land and left the rest to Abraham. Sounds like a bad deal for Abraham, but remember, Sarah didn't end up a white pillar in the wilderness!

[2]. Journeyed east which is the cursed direction in your Bible. (This isn't looking good!)

B. An influential husband - (Gen. 19:1)

[1]. Sat at the gate, a place devoted to judgment.

[2]. Had a "place in the community" and calls the Sodomites "brethren."

C. A beautiful home and fine clothing -

This is an assumption, but because of Lot's standing in the community, it is probably an accurate one, especially given her reluctance to leave.

D. A God who cared about her and her welfare - (Gen. 19:16)

Had to led by the hand out of Sodom.

E. A relative (Abraham) who honored God and was remembered by Him - (Gen. 19:22).

Destruction was withheld until Lot's family was at a safe distance. 

So, with all these advantages, what went wrong in the life of Lot's wife? What went on in her heart and mind to lead her to such a pitiful end?

How about these observations? Do we possess any of them?

A. Conformed character

[1]. She was content to live in a city filled with debauchery and was, in fact, reluctant to leave it. (Ref. 19:16)

[2]. If she ever had any character, it had by this time taken on the shape of those around her. (I Cor. 15:33) reminds us that "evil communications corrupt good manners." And boy, were hers corrupted!

B. Conformed moral values passed on to her daughters

[1]. Willing to let them live in Sodom

[2]. The actions of these daughters in (Gen. 19:35-36) and of their father in (19:8) shows the level of depravity to which this family had sunk.

[3]. Moral values are hereditary. Your children learn from watching you.

C. Conformed affinity to that world

[1]. The lure of this city overrode her ability to reason in a logical way.

[2]. This conformity created the reluctance to leave.

[3]. It prevented her from pointing her body and mind in the right direction.

D. Conformed reasoning

[1]. She failed to see the impending doom and had to be pulled from Sodom.

[2]. She apparently had taken on the reasoning of the residents of the doomed city: "God doesn't mean what He says." "A loving God would never send such destruction on someone."

[3]. God gave the simple warning. Take it or ignore it. "Be ye not conformed to this world."

And so her legacy of conformity to us is the vision of a mineral block on the plain and Jesus' chilling words in (Lk. 17:32).... "Remember Lot's wife.

(Rom. 12:2b) - ..."but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and perfect, and acceptable will of God."

The story of Esther is a familiar one... an orphan girl raised by her cousin Mordecai in Persia. When she is shown favor by King Ahasuerus as a "replacement wife," she is instructed by Mordecai to not divulge her Jewish "roots."

Her beauty and grace win the attention of the king, and she receives the crown and the role of queen. Unbeknownst to her, she will soon be put in a position of great jeopardy.

An evil man, Haman, who is an enemy of the Jews still in Persia devises a plan whereby he can trick the king into annihilating all of them. It falls to Esther to step forward, be transformed and save her people.

As a matter of fact, let's compare her circumstances to those of Mrs. Lot: 

Esther had:

A. A wealthy husband; after he was the king! He didn't just sit at the gate as Lot did; he owned the gate.

B. An influential husband - Reigned over 127 provinces - (Est. 1:3-4)

C. A beautiful home and fine clothing - (Est. 1:5-7)

D. A God who cared about her and her welfare God is not mentioned in this book of the Bible but His overriding influence, care and concern for His people are abundantly apparent as the story unfolds.

E. A relative who honored God and remembered by Him. Mordecai refused to bow to Haman, (Est. 3:2-4) saving such reverence for God.

Esther's thinking underwent a great transformation as she implemented a plan to thwart the evil schemes of Haman. (Est. 4:14)

The words of Mordecai obviously had a profound effect on her for she was changed from:

[1]. An unknown orphan living an obscure life to a beloved queen in a magnificent palace.

[2]. A Jew in secret to a Jew bravely proclaiming her lineage.

[3]. A woman indulged with every luxury to one willing to risk her own life for what she knew was right.

Esther did save her people, but only after she recognized and assumed her part in God's plan. 

Conclusion:

While these two women had much in common, the outcome of each of their lives were drastically different. Ask yourself:

Am I like Lot's wife:

[1]. Craving the things of the world at any cost? Let's face it; the world has much to offer in the material realm, and we in America are especially vulnerable to the lure of these possessions.

[2]. Identifying with the world? The Bible tells us that "Where your heart is, there will your treasure be also." (Lk. 12:34) Even as adults we succumb to the temptations to be like the people we work with, those we may socialize with. To be called a "nonconformist" is a fate worse than death to some.

[3]. Willing to sacrifice anything to conform to the world's standards?
 

My children - the hardest task in raising children is having to tell them they can't participate in something you know will be bad for them.

{a}. God has entrusted you with the responsibility of nurturing your offspring and protecting them from the allure of the world while they are in your care. This may not always make you popular with them. It will, however, provide you the blessing of God.

{b}. Look at the pitiful state of the daughter's of Lot and his world-loving wife.

OR:

Am I striving to be like Esther:

[1]. Changing my desire for "self-preservation" to one of sacrifice for God's plan?

{a}. "that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God."

[2]. Willing to be used in any situation in which I find myself?
{a}. Let's face it... about the only thing that will be in danger of dying if you stand up for the Lord Jesus Christ is your prideful spirit.

Remember, God tells us we will be changed by the renewing of our minds.

He does not say the renewing of your emotions;

He does not say the renewing of your heart;

He does not say the renewing of your attitude.

You must employ some logic and intellect in determining what the will of God is, and the only way to discover that is by faithfully studying His Word and spending time with the Author.

Conforming is easy... ultimately, all you have to do is stand back and act like a block! Transform your mind to be like the mind of Christ, and you will act like royalty. It's just a little tougher.
 

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