"And they struck the men who were at the doorway of the house with blindness, both small and great, so that they became weary trying to find the door."{Genesis 19:11} Thus, the writer recounts the efforts of the men of Sodom to engage in gross immorality with God's angels who had come into Lot's home! They were so consumed with lust that, even though struck blind, they wearied themselves trying to find the door! Lessons drawn from this account have forceful application for all of us; but we must be willing to "see" and learn from the lessons.

Consumed with Lust "Then the LORD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually."{Genesis 6:5} Man has not changed. In the New Testament, Paul wrote to Timothy: "But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived." {2 Timothy 3:13}

Where homosexuality is concerned, many are deceiving, and many are being deceived. Religious organizations often pervert the plain statements made in God's word. For example: "Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due." {Romans 1:24-27} How could anyone who believes in God condone such conduct? God permits mankind, if he so chooses, to dismiss what the Scripture says about this subject. "And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting." {Romans 1:28}

Today, many are consumed with lust for sex, drugs, and all forms of sexual immorality. Few are consumed with "hunger and thirst for righteousness" (Matthew 5:6). Dear reader, are you among the many or the few?

Struck Blind "Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened." {Romans 1:21} The men of Sodom were so involved with their lust that they actually didn't realize they had been struck blind. Many today are blind when it comes to God's word and His truth on this subject and many other subjects. This blindness is due to physical lust?

"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables." {2 Timothy 4:3,4} Earlier, Paul stated a similar thought when he wrote to the brethren in Thessalonica. "And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness." {2 Thessalonians 2:11,12} Sadly, the world's many different religions validate the truth of these statements.

Often, people are blind to the truth of the gospel because of the work done by the devil and his servants (2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Many of God's own people have also been blinded (2 Peter 2:1-3). "But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them." {2 Corinthians 4:3,4} Do you see clearly the obstacles Satan places before you? Are you looking?

Exhausted Themselves In their efforts to satisfy their lusts, the men of Sodom literally exhausted themselves. Many precious souls "burn out" seeking happiness through drugs, sex, and the pursuit of wealth. Many labor to find joy, peace, and fulfillment in the temporal existence of this world. Their reward is a lifetime of vanity that results in spiritual death. "For what hath man of all his labor, and of the vexation of his heart, wherein he hath labored under the sun? For all his days are sorrows and his travail grief; yea, his heart taketh not rest in the night. This is also vanity." {Ecclesiastes 2:22,23}

Few find God and true happiness, joy, peace, and fulfillment in this life. "Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows." {1 Timothy 6:6-10} Not many come to the knowledge of truth about which Solomon wrote: "Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments: for this is man's whole duty." {Ecclesiastes 12:13} Are you among the few?

Overthrown "Then the LORD rained brimstone and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah, from the LORD out of the heavens. So He overthrew those cities, all the plain, all the inhabitants of the cities, and what grew on the ground." {Genesis 19:24,25} Blindness was just a prelude to the awaiting, eternal darkness (Matthew 22:13). God told us this darkness awaits all who reject Him and the gospel call. "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power." {2 Thessalonians 1:8,9} Have you obeyed? Have you:

Many weary of pursuing spiritual matters, and the world takes over. Today's religions have modified God's plan to make it easier for man. There is, however, a problem--one cannot follow man's plan and receive the salvation promised by God. Only God's plan delivers on that promise. "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it." {Matthew 7:13,14} Indeed, the way is narrow, and few find it.

The Door The men of Sodom did not find the door they so diligently sought. In their blindness, they found a door they had not sought--the door to eternal separation from God. Many wish to gain heaven, but, through weariness and error, they open the wrong door.

There is only ONE way to the Father. "Jesus said to him, I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." {John 14:6} Dear reader, have you wearied yourself searching fruitlessly for true joy and happiness that can be found only in Christ? Dear Christian, have you become weary of living and defending God's holy truth? Remember our Lord's beautiful invitation: "Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light."{Matthew 11:28-30} Before which door--God's or Satan's--are you standing?