WHAT’S WRONG WITH THE WORLD?
The world is a mess. If you asked people what is wrong with the world, you would get a large variety of answers. The answers depend on who you ask. The poor might say, “The rich people won’t give us a chance.” The rich might say in response, “The poor are lazy.” Older people might say, “The young people don’t work the way we used to.” The young might say, “The old people are afraid of new ideas.” Many causes and opinions are also blamed – drugs, abortion, being opposed to abortion, politicians, too much religion, not enough religion. None of these alone are the answer to what’s wrong with the world. So we ask, “Is any one thing the answer?” YES – the answer is SIN!
The world doesn’t like to admit that there is such a thing as sin. You hardly ever hear it discussed at all. That’s because of a variety of improper attitudes toward sin. For example, some deny it exists. Nothing gets called sin anymore. But the Bible is very clear in teaching that sin is a fact. 1 John 3:4 NKJV, Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness. Galatians 5:19-21 NKJV, Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
There is someone, somewhere, that has denied everything in this list to be sin. Some also mock sin. Proverbs 14:9 NKJV, Fools mock at sin, But among the upright there is favor.
Immorality is the foundation of many jokes. It is a rare comedian that does not resort to racy humor. Some also love sin. They do not care that the Bible calls something sin. They have pleasure in what they love, no matter what God says. Psalms 52:3-4 NKJV, You love evil more than good, Lying rather than speaking righteousness. Selah You love all devouring words, You deceitful tongue. 1 John 2:15-17 NKJV, Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world–the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life–is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
People also minimize sin. The word “sin” sounds too harsh. They call it an “indiscretion.” They chalk it up to immaturity, misdirection, or a “mere mistake.” Lying is called “coloring the truth.” Dishonesty is called “shrewdness.” Cursing is called “emphatic speech.” Drunkenness is called “a sickness.” Killing unborn babies is called “abortion” or “a woman’s right to choose.” People don’t realize the power of sin. It enslaves people. John 8:34 NKJV, Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. Romans 6:16 NKJV, Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness.
Do we not realize that alcohol, drugs, pornography, and fornication have enslaved many? Sin separates us from God. Isaiah 59:1-2 NKJV, Behold, the LORD’S hand is not shortened, That it cannot save; Nor His ear heavy, That it cannot hear. But your iniquities have separated you from your God; And your sins have hidden His face from you, So that He will not hear.
What shall we do about this monster called “sin.” We must admit that it exists and admit that we are guilty of sin. 1 John 1:9 NKJV, If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We must hate sin. Proverbs 6:16-19 NKJV, These six things the LORD hates, Yes, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look, A lying tongue, Hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that are swift in running to evil, A false witness who speaks lies, And one who sows discord among brethren.
We must resist sin when we see it. 1 Peter 5:8-9 NKJV, Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
We must join with the faithful in exposing sin. Ephesians 5:11 NKJV, And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. If we could get the world to address sin the way the Bible does, many of the world’s problems would go away. Do what you can to conquer sin in your life, and in the lives of as many as you can influence.