Theoretical Question

Swift0014 asked this question in the comments of my previous post:
Theoretical situation: you're a redeemed child of God that is surrounded by doomed wicked sinners who make it near impossible to think the way you're telling people to think; these people not only make you think wrongly but make it seem better to live a sinner's life. Answer?

Let me start with some Scripture from someone who felt EXACTLY like you feel:

Psalm 73 (Asaph)
1 Surely God is good to Israel,
To those who are pure in heart!
2 But as for me, my feet came close to stumbling,
My steps had almost slipped.
3 For I was envious of the arrogant
As I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

(skip a few - but Asaph lays out how the wicked prosper)

13 Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
And washed my hands in innocence;

(wow, it sure feels that way sometimes, eh?)

16 When I pondered to understand this,
It was troublesome in my sight
17 Until I came into the sanctuary of God;
Then I perceived their end.
18 Surely You set them in slippery places;
You cast them down to destruction.
...
24 With Your counsel You will guide me,
And afterward receive me to glory.
25 Whom have I in heaven but You?
And besides You, I desire nothing on earth.
26 My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.
27 For, behold, those who are far from You will perish;
You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to You.
28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good;
I have made the Lord GOD my refuge,
That I may tell of all Your works.

John 10:10 says that the devil comes to steal, and kill, and destroy. There is a battle, and if you are not aware of it, it is easy to be deceived into thinking that the way of the sinner is better than the Way of Life. However, when you are aware of the battle, it is easy to see the Truth - that Christ came to give us life, and to give it abundantly.

In what way is the sinner's life better? Let me pick a few choice sins and see if the sinner's way is better:
Lying:
Pros: It gets you out of a situation
Cons: It gets you out of a situation, temporarily. I once knew a guy who lied so much he couldn't keep his stories straight! If you tell the truth, you never have to worry about keeping the story straight. And it always works out better in the end (have you ever seen an episode of I Love Lucy? If she had simply told the truth at the beginning, it sure would have saved her a lot of trouble later!)

Cheating on a test: you may get a better grade, temporarily. But who is it really cheating? You. Better to do the work and learn the material and earn the grade. You'll feel better about yourself and be smarter as well!

Drinking
Kind of a trick question - in that drinking, in itself, is not a sin (unless you are underage and it is illegal!). But it often leads to sin and a lot of other problems. Getting drunk IS a sin. But is it really all that much fun? I don't think so. (And those who get sick from being drunk don't think so!). Better to keep a clear head and enjoy the good things God gives in moderation.

Sex
Another trick question - in that sex, in its proper context, is a gift from God and a picture of Christ's relationship with the church (Eph. 5:31-32). But those who abuse the gift outside of its proper context may seem to be having fun, but it leaves them empty and unfulfilled. They lose the perspective (and joy) of giving themselves fully to their spouse (either current or future!). When you have only had one partner, she is always the best you've ever had! Doing things God's way brings joy and peace and contentment and the true expression of love. Doing things any other way (be it real or imagined or even looking at inappropriate things on the internet or in movies) brings discontentment, brokenness, and drives a wedge between you and God and you and the one God has chosen for you.

When it seems like the way of the sinner is better than the Way of Christ, that is an indication that it is time to spend time reading the Word and praying. It is okay to tell God that the way of the sinner looks appealing, but ask Him to fulfill the desires of your heart in a righteous way (or to remove those desires if they are not from Him!). It is also good to have another brother in Christ with whom you can be open about your struggles - who will love you enough to tell you when you are heading the wrong way. (2 Tim. 2:22).

Feel free to comment or ask other questions!
Press ON!
Jeff