Is It reasonable to believe that if we hold onto one cherished sin it can poison our entire life?
Two Bible characters reveal this truth. Balaam and Judas, in their service to God retained the spirit of covetousness. Both acknowledged the one true God and professed to serve Him. Even when it was unpopular to do so, Judas believed in Jesus as the Messiah and united himself with His followers.
Both hoped they could unite their service to God with their desire for wealth and worldly honour. But when their worldly hopes failed they each compromised themselves, sold their hope of heaven and perished in a violent death.
Prior to his death in battle Balaam spoke wistfully, “Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his.” Before hanging himself Judas, devoid of all hope, mourned, “I have sinned in that I have betrayed the innocent blood.” (Numbers 23:10, Matthew 27:4)
Lest we cherish a blemished trait of character, or hang on to a known sin that will bring about our ruin, let us sincerely pray daily, “Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.” (Psalm 17:5)
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