It’s takes some stepping over your conscience and over Bible warnings to get into a declining mess. As the country song goes: “The high costs of living ain’t nothing like the cost of ‘living high…”

1 John 2:16  For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, (1) and the lust of the eyes, (2) and the pride of life (3), is not of the Father, but is of the world. 

Gen 13:10  And Lot lifted up his eyes, and beheld all the plain of Jordan, that it was well watered every where, before the LORD destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, even as the garden of the LORD, like the land of Egypt, as thou comest unto Zoar. 

Gen 13:11  Then Lot chose him all the plain of Jordan; and Lot journeyed east and they separated themselves the one from the other. (The beginning of sin is easy and “appears” pleasant)

Gen 13:12  Abram dwelled in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelled (1) in the cities of the plain, and pitched his tent toward Sodom (2)

Gen 19:1  And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom ( where city rulers sat–3): and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground; 

James 1:15  Then when lust (1) hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin (2), when it is finished, bringeth forth death (3). 

Psa 1:1  Blessed is the man that walketh not ( avoids appearance 1) in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth (does not consider 2) in the way of sinners, nor sitteth ( joins in with 3)in the seat of the scornful. 

Eph 2:4  But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 

Eph 2:5  Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened (1) us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 

Eph 2:6  And hath raised us up (2) together, and made us sit (3) together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 

Large steps (at right) and gets easier (smaller height of steps) heading toward “higher” enjoyment—the “high life”—but then…Getting away from a danger of cliff and another danger of sin (snakes) and the greater danger of wolves—all earthly way of escape is cut off—Only the grace of God can deliver from such.

Sketch by Dave Reese