Do Not Pitch Your Tent Near Sin

Genesis 13:12
Common English Bible (CEB)
12 Abram settled in the land of Canaan, and Lot settled near the cities of the valley and pitched his tent close to Sodom.

I was reading the book of Genesis and came across the above scripture. I stopped and pondered it a couple of times. I was stuck on the words: "and pitched his tent close to Sodom." Those words standing alone do not have significant meaning. But combine them with verse 13 which reads,
Genesis 13:13
New Century Version (NCV)
13 Now the people of Sodom were very evil and were always sinning against the Lord.

I found it interesting that Lot chose to pitch his tent in the direction of sin. The enemy is very subtle. The book of James tells us to be cautious regarding our desires for sin. The desires lead us down the wrong path and when fully manifested brings forth death (James 1:14-15). By pitching his tent near sin, Lot gazed upon the wickedness and was drawn into it.

Genesis 14:12 tells us that Lot began living in the city of Sodom. So he went from just looking on sin to actually living it! Have you ever woke up one day and found yourself in a sinful situation? That's because you did not stop the desire as it began to brew inside you.

Even Jesus was tempted but chose not to sin (Hebrews 4:15). We have to turn away from sinful acts that try to draw our attention from God. Think about it: why does the enemy want to get you into sin? Because sin stops the power of God from operating in your life.

Whenever you are tempted, begin to praise God for deliverance. Praise God that you choose His ways and will not sin. Cast down those thoughts and think on the excellence of God (2 Cor 10:5; Phil 4:8). As long as the earth remains, we will face temptations. But we do not have to pitch our tent towards the temptation.

God sent Abram to save Lot. God sent Jesus to save us. Since we have been saved from sin, let's not pitch our tents in its direction.