The Worst Plague

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

There have been many terrible plagues throughout history. Arguably the most notable was the “Black Death” (aka the Bubonic Plague), which killed half of Europe’s population. In Africa today, AIDS has reached epidemic proportions. 

I think there is a plague deadlier than all plagues and epidemics combined. This plague has afflicted everyone who has ever lived on the face of the earth: SIN. 

Just look at some of its awful results:

Corruption of the mind - Ephesians 4.17-19

Evil deeds - John 3.19

Domination by Satan - John 8.44

Becoming objects of God’s wrath - Ephesians 2.3

Robs peace - Isaiah 48.22

Spiritual death - James 1.15

Christ followers have experienced gracious forgiveness from God. But when we sin (you know that you will sin, don’t you?), there are other serious consequences: 

It grieves the Holy Spirit - Ephesians 4.30

Hinders prayers - 1 Peter 3.7

Affects our usefulness to serve God - 2 Timothy 2.20-21

Robs our joy - Psalm 51.12

Renders or worship unacceptable - Isaiah 1.14

Hinders spiritual growth - 1 Corinthians 3.13

Pollutes worship - 1 Corinthians 10.21

Dishonors God - 1 Corinthians 6.19-20

When I was a kid, we sang this old Gospel Hymn, Power in the Blood. The first stanza goes like this:

Would you be free from your burden of sin? 

There’s power in the blood.

Would you o’re evil the victory win?

There’s wonderful power in the blood.

These words echo the Apostle Paul to the Romans: O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord [Romans 7.24-25].

Sin is the deadliest plague ever to affect mankind, deserving of holy hatred.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 6:23