The Side Effect of Sin.
Historically, we see that when men and women have practiced adultery and unfaithfulness in their marriages, the family
unit has suffered. Mankind are seduced by the false promises of adultery. With increased access to birth control, and the easy availability of abortion on demand, sexual activity has increased in the last few decades as men and women alike have come to believe they can avoid the consequences of that activity.
Even the mass media contribute to a culture of immorality that brings about many ruined lives. Millions fail to take seriously the simple biblical admonition: “You shall not commit adultery” (Exodus 20:14). Yet if everyone kept this precept—the seventh of the Ten Commandments—lives would be far happier and society would be far more stable.
Just as God is the Creator of the physical laws that govern matter, He is the Lawgiver whose spiritual laws govern our lives. He defines sin (1 John 3:4). We would ridicule someone who tried to “deny” the law of gravity, and risk his life falling from a great height. But how many in our society try to deny the consequences of violating God’s spiritual laws?
Our modern world increasingly rejects the Ten Commandments and continues its slide into immorality. Just how bad is it? Of the ten moral behaviors evaluated, a majority of worldwide people believed that each of three activities were ‘morally acceptable. Those included gambling, co-habitation, sexual fantasies, abortion, homosexuality, pornography, profanity, drunkeness. That is without mentioning the abuse of drugs.
What will happen to a society with these values? From beginning to end, the Bible reveals that obedience to God’s laws brings blessing, while disobedience brings cursing and penalty. This is not just an “Old Testament” concept. Notice: “Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life” (Galatians 6:7–8).
Yes, there is cause and effect in life. When we do what is right, we enjoy a good effect, but when we do what is wrong, our sin causes a painful effect. Even if sin may seem pleasurable for a time, its after-effect will be devastating.