There are some things in themselves that are not sinful but end up ruined when mixed with sin. For example, our monetary system works very well for us today in the facilitation and transfer of goods. However, when you pair money with sin, you get greed. There are people who will do almost anything for money, even commit murder. The Bible has something to say when sin gets involved with money: Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1 Timothy 6:6-10 NKJV).
How about achievement? Achieving certain goals is worthwhile and praiseworthy. The wise man wrote, A desire accomplished is sweet to the soul, but it is an abomination to fools to depart from evil (Proverbs 13:19). But when sin mixes with achievement, then comes pride. Pride is a sin, and it is listed among others, such as fornication, adultery, murder, theft, etc. (cf. Mark 7:21-23). Pride is dangerous because by it a person will trust in himself over God, thus he will not surrender his will to God's. Pride will also blind a person from seeing that every good gift is from above (James 1:17). Read the prideful words of king Nebuchadnezzar as he looked around his kingdom: The king spoke, saying, “Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for a royal dwelling by my mighty power and for the honor of my majesty” (Daniel 4:30)? It just so happened that about a year earlier, Daniel had warned the king to humble himself and repent, but Nebuchadnezzar's pride would not allow that. We read of the king's downfall in that same chapter.
How about the home? Indeed the home, a family, is a great blessing from God. Houses and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from the LORD (Proverbs 19:14). Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb is a reward (Psalm 127:3). The home, when guided by the word of the Lord, can be a place of love, joy, and peace. But when sin enters the home, misery will follow. Just ask Jacob, who was forced to leave his home when he deceived his father so that he would receive his blessing instead of his brother Esau. Jacob was later deceived by his own sons, as they told him Joseph, "the son of his old age," was killed by a wild beast. Just ask David, who committed adultery with the wife of Uriah and had him killed in battle to cover up the sin. His own children later sinned against each other by rape and murder. Sin will ruin a home. It can and will ruin yours if you let it in by a lack of vigilance.
When people see beyond "the passing pleasures of sin" (Hebrews 11:25), and look upon the ruination it leaves in its wake, then they should have a holy hatred for it. May you cling to the words of Scripture that give the prescription on how to avoid ruining your life: For “He who would love life And see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:10-12). Indeed sin, if not washed away by the blood of Christ, will ruin not only your life, but your soul. Brotherly, Jamie
