The Power of a Good Example

by Pastor Greg Laurie

But Lot’s wife looked back as she was following behind him, and she turned into a pillar of salt. (Genesis 19:26 NLT)

Noah and Lot both lived before a cataclysmic judgment. Noah was waiting for the Flood; Lot was waiting for the judgment on Sodom and Gomorrah, where he lived. Lot, however, didn’t reach his family like Noah did. Lot’s problem was that he compromised. He lowered his standards to extend his reach.

One day the angels of the Lord came to Lot and said, loose paraphrase, “You’ve got to get out of here with your family. Judgment is coming down fast.” But when Lot informed his daughters’ fiancés, they laughed in his face.

Lot, his wife, and their daughters basically had to be dragged by the hand out of the city. That’s why Jesus said, “Remember Lot’s wife” (Luke 17:32 NKJV). As she was leaving Sodom, she was warned not to look back, but she did anyway. In the original language, the words that describe her looking back don’t indicate a quick look. Rather, she looked with longing.

Have you ever looked at something with longing? To put it another way, have you ever been at Krispy Kreme when the sign is lit up and the glazed doughnuts are coming down the conveyor belt? That’s how Lot’s wife looked at Sodom and Gomorrah, and she turned into a pillar of salt. 

I find it interesting that Noah spoke and his family moved. But Lot spoke and his family laughed. What kind of an impact are you having on your family? How effective is your word as a parent? As a mother? As a father? World changers draw their families to Christ, but those who are changed by the world drive their families from Christ. We all have moments of inconsistency and even hypocrisy, but our children are watching us. They are looking to us as examples. Be a good one.

Copyright © 2018 by Harvest Ministries. All rights reserved.

Today's Bible Verse...
This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the alien or the poor. In your hearts do not think evil of each other."

—Zechariah 7:9-10

Thoughts on Today's Verse...
Do you want a clear, simple, straightforward word from the Lord today? That's what Zechariah gives us. He reminds us that God wants us to be fair, compassionate, caring, without prejudice, and tenderhearted to those in need, and to give each other the benefit of the doubt. In other words, he wants us to treat each other like Christ treated people. Why? Because we can't be right with God and be wrong with people!

My Prayer...
Loving Father, please forgive me for the times I've gotten bogged down with hard-to-understand verses in Scripture and ignored your clear teaching on how to live. Please give me the opportunity this week to live like you have commanded me. In the future, when my heart grows cold or my response to others is not what it should be, please use your Spirit to bring to my remembrance this passage so that I might live it to your glory. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

The Thoughts and Prayer on Today's Verse are written by Phil Ware.

Today's Verse Illustrated...
 

 

Signs of a Church-hopper by Rob Portlock