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But where sin abounded - Romans 5:20
For this week's article, I simply want to comment on the abundance of sin. Has anything changed from years ago, when Cain killed Abel? Some people would say, "No, it hasn't; the abundance of sin in the hearts of men can be seen today as it was back then."
Genesis 6:5 tells us, "Then the Lord saw the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Sin and wickedness in men are revealed in much the same way as they were 6,000 years ago. But today, there are many avenues through which sin can reveal itself. We will consider some of these in our study this week.
So why am I writing this article this week? It has become apparent that sin, in many different forms, has affected our country, state and even local government. Socialistic programs and ideas have been brought into our communities.
I was recently asked why drugs and the evil that come with them are so prevalent in some areas. My answer caught the person by surprise. Social programs, benefits and money have made it easy for people to stay home rather than go to work. And as we have often heard, "an idle mind is the devil's workshop." When people don't work, they get into trouble, drugs and other sinful activities that destroy men and dishonor God.
A few days ago, I was in contact with a Social Service specialist (case worker) from Arkansas. She told me about the heartbreaking cases she has to deal with; children of various ages whose lives have been affected in negative ways.
Many of them will carry their memories, problems and fears for the rest of their lives. She also referred me to a website where I could see some of the children. "Project Zero" in Arkansas is helping children and young people get back to a normal life.
According to Google AI Overview, National Human Trafficking Month is observed in January, with Jan. 11 specifically marked as National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The month aims to educate the public on the signs of exploitation, support survivors and prevent both sex and labor trafficking. For more information, see Human Trafficking, McCain Institute.
Sin certainly is abounding on the internet. People can sin with people all over the world. Murders can be set up and arranged over the internet. Adultery, fornication, selling of sex slaves and the theft of money can be arranged because of a little device they hold in their hand, an iPhone. We have ways of making sin easy today that they never knew when Abraham was alive.
So, what is my point so far? As Christians, we must guard ourselves from what shows up on the internet. We must protect ourselves from those who have already been affected by a sinful and perverse lifestyle. Many people have been caught up in the political corruption of socialism, where "I scratch your back, and you scratch mine."
An easy job, money, benefits and political favor should never be our primary goal in life. We must put God first, others second, and ourselves last if we want to glorify God. Sin is abounding today, but it doesn't need to be that way in our lives. Matthew 6:33 tells us, "Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
Contact the author at: (thoughtsonword@gmail.com) if you have any comments or questions.
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Lyndon Stimeling, of Richfield, has been writing about faith and family for many years. He has self-published four books, Common Thoughts on The Word in 2016, Eye of a Needle in 2017, Common Thoughts on The Word II in 2019 and A Bridge Between in 2023. He has also had articles published in The Coming Home Journal and local newspapers and has written a children's book.