I Hate the Consequences

Oh how I hate the consequences of sin.

The pain and grief that result.
The realization that life will never be the same and that this sin really messes things up.

It messes up my plans. My dreams. My life. My happiness.

It takes away my comfort, and puts sorrow in its place.
Because sin has consequences.

And I hate the consequences.

So I grieve.

I mourn because of the affliction that has been brought upon me.
I weep because there is distress on every side.
I lament because my world has been torn apart.

And I sit in this ash-heap, and I grieve . . .

Not because my sin is so great, but because misery results.
Not because my sin rains torment on the heart of God, but because my soul is shattered.
Not because my heart is full of sin . . .

That is not why I grieve.

No, I grieve because I hate the consequences.

Oh cold and prideful heart, where is the grief over sin?
Where is the shame and raw ache because I have sinned against my Lord?

Oh to be one who sits and weeps not because of consequences, but because of sin.

Look, O Lord, for I am in distress; my stomach churns.
My heart is wrung within me, because I have been very rebellious.
Lamentations 1:20

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2 thoughts on “I Hate the Consequences”

Oh, that the children of God would hate sin because it’s contrary to the heart of God. Even David, a man after God’s own heart, had to be confronted by Nathan and informed of the punishments that would fall upon him before he was brought to sorrow and repentance (2 Samuel 12:10-13).

As a child, I found that the stronger motivation for avoiding sin and disobedience to my parents was the recognition of the pain my actions would put upon my parents. I can still remember one instance where my dad cried while spanking me, and that left a bigger impression upon my conscience than the string of the punishment. I think I got a picture of Proverbs 3:12 that day.

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