“You erected your shrine at the head of every road, and built your high place in every street. Yet you were not like a harlot, because you scorned payment” (Ezekiel
16:31 NKJV).
The world continues to be filled with sin and evil.
Murders, wars, corruption, and all manner of perversions fill our news and our entertainment media.
In many cases one may see motive and some element of logic in immoral actions. In others we shake our heads and wonder, “What were they thinking? Why would anyone do that?”
The prophet Ezekiel relates God’s wonderment at Israel’s rebellion. She had become unfaithful to him, like a wife committing adultery against her husband. He compares her to a harlot (prostitute) which many in “respectable society” would consider the epitome of immorality. But they were even more immoral because their actions were not for any logical or material benefit. They did evil simply because they enjoyed it.
Sin promises pleasure. Whenever we see it depicted in commercials, movies, or other media it is presented with gaiety, fun, and alluring circumstances. We are enticed to enjoy ourselves and forget about any consequences.
Philosophers and anthropologists continue to debate whether humans have an innate moral sense, or whether all behavioral patterns are learned. Whatever the truth is regarding that, there is undoubtedly a natural tendency towards irresponsibility to which many submit.
Paul described dangerous times which would come: “For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:2-5).
This may be a prophecy of a distinct period of human history, and if so, it may have already been fulfilled.
Undeniably, however, it also describes some people who live or have lived at any particular time. Some are just like that, living only for themselves and for immediate sensual gratification. Wickedness, if you will, just for its own sake.
The Bible calls us to a better understanding of life.
There is more to it than physical pleasures or selfish indulgence. We are, and can be, much more than that.
Man has both body and spirit (Genesis 2:7, Romans 8:10). When life is lived only in regard to our material nature the result is tragic loss of that which is most important (Romans 8:5-11).
As spiritual , humans have the potential for communion with God and an eternal relationship. Jesus came “. . .
that [we] might have life, and that [we] might have it more abundantly” (John 10:10). He taught, “One’s life does not consist in the abundance of the things he possesses” (Luke 12:15). That statement may be further applied to say, “Life does not consist only of the physical experiences which one has.”
The fact is that sin’s promises are never fulfilled, and wickedness for its own pleasure will always disappoint and fail. Sin leaves us empty and broken.
Those who reject godliness in favor of selfish temporal pleasure will always perish “in outer darkness”
(Matthew 25:30). Christ offers us a better way (John 14:6). Let us live with him and for him.