Making Matters Worse

Now behold, you have risen up in your fathers’ place, a brood of sinful men, to add still more to the burning anger of the LORD against Israel. Numbers 32:14 (NASB)

These words were Moses’ answer to a request made by the children of Gad and Reuben. They wanted to possess the land they stood on without crossing over the Jordan River to the promised land. It was a decision that could easily cause the rest of the nation to follow suite. That is exactly what happened forty years prior to this discussion, when eight out of ten spies gave a fearful report concerning the promised land and that fear spread throughout the camp. It ultimately led to God’s requirement that they wander in the wilderness for an additional four decades.

We see a principle in Scripture that we would do well to digest. Sin angers God and that anger is increased when our sinful choices affect the people around us. This can be played out in two ways. People can become a victim of our sin and made to feel the affects of the consequences or they can actually follow the example we are putting before them.

Victimization is seen when a drunk driver hits another car causing injury or death to innocent people. Or when an angry gunman opens fire in a public building. Or when a person with sexual perversions preys upon a small child, teen, or adult. Or when shoplifting results in a store raising its prices to compensate the loss. These and many other scenarios have consequences that affect more than the one who makes the original choice. Each of us can reflect back on times in our life when we have brought pain and suffering upon another person because of a sinful choice we made.

But today’s verse points to the aspect of our sinful choices having a negative influence on another person. Our actions encouraging others to the do as we are doing. It can be as serious as involving something that is illegal or immoral or it can be on a smaller scale of spreading gossip, laziness, dishonesty, or discontent. My words and my actions in the presence of others serve as encouragements for them to follow my lead. May I determine to be an encourager of something that would lead to God’s pleasure instead of adding to His anger.

Father, keep reminding me that my choices affect more than just myself. May my influence on people lead them in the ways of righteousness. May the duplication of anything I do or say bring You delight. Amen.