We Miss God’s Plan for Our Life When…

We Allow Someone to Talk Us Into Known Sin

 

Abram agreed to what Sarai said. (Genesis 16:2)

 

Did your mother or father ever say to you, “If Joe jumps off a bridge, are you going to jump off the bridge too?  You will follow anyone. You need to learn to stand on your own.”  This was their way of saying, “You are easily manipulated.”

Go visit any county jail or prison.  There you will find a high percentage of inmates who allowed someone else to talk them into doing something they knew was wrong. If we allow people to talk us into things in a physical sense, we can fall victim to allowing others to cause us to compromise our spiritual principles as well.

How many times have your friends or your spouse talked you into doing something which caused you to compromise your spiritual principles? They offered up suggestions like, “You can go to church next Sunday. You can pray later. You can read your Bible when you get home. You can tithe next time.”

If you really want to stay in the center of God’s will, you must listen to only One Voice, the voice of your Lord. Abraham had already received a word from the Lord.  He was told he would have a son and that son would eventually become a great nation.  Sarah had a bright idea. This scheme allowed Abraham to sleep with another woman and forgo God’s waiting period. It didn’t appear Sarah had twisted her hubby’s arm. So, in a seemly insignificant moment, he agreed.  Such moments define our character and destiny.

Here is a short list of problems caused by Abraham following Sarah into sin.

Unwanted Pregnancy – “She conceived” (Genesis 16:4) Almost immediately after conception, this pregnancy was no longer desired.

Pride – “When she knew she was pregnant, she began to despise her mistress.” (Genesis 16:4) Hagar had achieved something Sarah could not accomplish. She used her pregnancy as a source of pride to torment Sarah.

Marriage Problems – “Then Sarai said to Abram, It’s all your fault! Now this servant of mine is pregnant, and she despises me, though I myself gave her the privilege of sleeping with you. The Lord will make you pay for doing this to me!” (Genesis 16:5-6) No marriage can experience moral shortcuts and not have problems!

Hypocrisy – “Then Sarai said to Abram, “It’s all your fault!”  A trademark of the hypocrite is to blame others for the sin the hypocrite committed.

Betrayal – “Your servant is in your hands,” Abram said. Do with her whatever you think best. Then Sarai mistreated Hagar; so she fled from her.” (16:6). Hagar found out, as many other men and women have discovered over the ages, that those who encouraged the sinful shortcuts will not stand with you when problems come as a result of their immoral behavior.

Injustice – “Do with her whatever you think best.” Then Sarai mistreated Hagar;” (16:6).  Sounds as if Hagar is the only one to blame for this act.  Remember, these two women are both Abraham’s wives.  Yet Hagar was the only one considered guilty. Sarah was not condemned. She had encouraged the sin, yet she was given a free hand to do whatever she wanted to do to Hagar. Abraham took no blame either. He had gotten Hagar pregnant; but he assumed no responsibility. It was the ugly picture of injustice which is one of the products of a sin.

Cruelty – “Then Sarai mistreated Hagar” (16:6). Before the shortcut occurred in Abraham’s household, things flowed along fine. Sarah treated Hagar kindly, but an immoral shortcut changed how people were treated.

Unemployment –  “So she (Hagar) fled from her.” (16:6). Hagar was working for Sarah, but their shortcut to success resulted in Hagar being put out in the wilderness without a job. Security quickly turned into insecurity.

Sorrow – Ultimately, the sinful shortcut that originally was intended to bring success.  Tragically, it brought only sorrow. Sarah was upset. Hagar was upset. Abraham was upset. Most importantly, God was not pleased.

It seemed such a small insignificant decision, when Abraham agreed with Sarah to sleep with Hagar.  Yet the devastating outcomes were apparent.  The bigger problem was that God was left out of the picture and could do nothing to prevent the outcome or its effects.

 

Blessings,

Pastor