In the course of these several years, the world has witnessed major disasters including tsunamis, earthquakes, floods and presently, famines in Africa and nearer home, the present flood in Thailand. The floods in Thailand are the worst in half a century and have shut down 10,000 factories, put 660,000 jobs at risk and caused damage of about S$5.7 billion. Millions of homes have been damaged and at least 380 people have died. Someone quipped that God must be punishing mankind for their vices.

Whether or not a particular disaster is a punishment on the people of a country, I do not know. The Bible does, however, tell us that the first sin of the ancestors of mankind, Adam and Eve, caused God to curse the land so that it brings sufferings on mankind (Gen 3:17-20). The apostle Paul also says that the reason why God subjected creation to futility and bondage to decay is closely related to the sins of mankind (Rom 8:20-22). In fact, several thousand years ago, when the sins of human beings reached a high point, God sent a great flood to destroy human beings and saved only Noah’s family (Gen 6-9).

The Bible also warns of a coming unprecedented series of disasters in the Book of Revelation which is a punishment for the sins of the world.

Thus, as we continue to pray and ask God to be merciful and gracious to people who are suffering, we need also to be reminded that the Holy God hates sin and we should tread carefully, walk humbly and softly before the Almighty and Holy God.

The Bible warns us: “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life” (Gal 6:7). In other words, the sin you commit never stops in that little secret corner.   It will cause you to commit more sins and one day, it becomes a full blown disaster that brings sufferings and sadness. Hence, stop sinning. Do not allow it to ruin your life and the happiness of your loved ones.

You are capable of living a holy life. First, when you received Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, He has freed you forever from bondage to sin so that you become slaves of righteousness (Rom 6:18). Before you believed in Jesus, you are unable not to sin because sin is your master—a slave must obey his master. Now, however, sin is not your master but righteousness is. You are fully capable of disobeying sin and fully capable of obeying righteousness.

Second, you must be responsible: Flee from sin. Cut off all roads that lead to sin. Thus, Jesus (rhetorically and not literally) says : “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away … If your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away” (Matt 5:29-30). It is difficult not to sin when you have so much access to sinful things. Thus, remove these avenues. Avoid them. Do not live near them.

Third, replace sinful habits with holy habits (Eph 4:22-24; 25-32). Work hard at developing holy habits. Then, when you “sow to the Spirit,” you will enjoy the eternal life that God gave you when you first believed in Jesus.