The Destructiveness of Sin

The college football world was taken by surprise on Wednesday afternoon, as the University of Michigan abruptly announced that it was firing head coach Sherrone Moore with cause after an internal investigation found credible evidence that he had engaged in an inappropriate relationship with a staff member.

The unexpected drama only intensified when Moore was subsequently arrested by Michigan police hours later, after allegedly assaulting a female Michigan staffer. The latest reports indicate he’s been charged with felony home invasion and two misdemeanors.

At this point in the unfolding of events, it can be difficult to differentiate between proven facts and speculation. As such, I will refrain from discussing many of the aspects of this situation.

However, it does appear that Moore most likely engaged in some form of sinful and immoral behavior over the past few months.

Remarkably, in the span of hours, Moore went from a man with one of the most prestigious head coaching jobs in college football to a person who is now unemployed, potentially losing upwards of $24 million, sitting in jail, and facing the possibility of prison time. Also, he is undoubtedly involved in significant family turmoil with his wife and three daughters. 

The point of today's devotional isn't simply to bash Sherrone Moore, but to humbly realize that each of us is capable of committing horrific sins if we indulge our flesh and don't do well to abide in Christ. Moore’s situation serves as a reminder of the disastrous consequences sin brings into our lives. 

Hebrews 3:13 (NIV) tells us that sin, by its nature, is deceitful: “But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”

Sin makes us promises that it simply can’t keep. It tells us that we will find satisfaction and lasting happiness if we indulge, but it is more than happy to destroy and wreck our lives once we indulge completely.      

We can see the deceitfulness of sin as far back as the Garden of Eden. Although the serpent promised Adam and Eve they would become like God if they sinned against God by eating the forbidden fruit, the consequence of their sin was spiritual death for the entire human race.

The opening chapters of the book of Proverbs paint a vivid picture of the destructive power of sin. Take a look at the following passages:

“For in vain is a net spread in the sight of any bird, but these men lie in wait for their own blood; they set an ambush for their own lives. Such are the ways of everyone who is greedy for unjust gain; it takes away the life of its possessors” (Proverbs 1:17-19; ESV).

“With much seductive speech she persuades him; with her smooth talk [the adulteress woman] compels him. All at once, he follows her, as an ox goes to the slaughter, or as a stag is caught fast till an arrow pierces its liver; as a bird rushes into a snare; he does not know that it will cost him his life” (Proverbs 7:21-23; ESV).

“For the lips of a forbidden woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil, but in the end she is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. Her feet go down to death; her steps follow the path to Sheol” (Proverbs 5:3-5; ESV).

Above all else, our greatest motivation for obedience should be our desire to glorify God out of gratitude for all that He has done for us. 

But I do think it is appropriate for us to periodically reflect on the consequences of sin, so we can be even more motivated to resist any form of temptation.

Whatever sin we are tempted to commit, the result is emphatically not worth it. Satan might trick us into thinking that indulging in sin will somehow benefit our lives, but we must remember how damaging a single fleeting moment of sin can truly be.

So next time we are tempted to sin, we should pause for a second to ask ourselves, “Is this worth destroying my family, my relationships, my career, or my reputation?”

Even more importantly, we must consider if it's worth dishonoring God or forfeiting our very souls.

Today, let us take sin seriously and resolve to resist all forms of temptation by relying on His power so that we might simultaneously glorify God and prevent unnecessary hardship in our lives.

Let’s also move forward from our past, resting in and praising Him for His grace and love.

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Your Son to die on the cross for my sins. Please help me remember that Jesus came to set me free from the power of sin so that I might live a life of righteousness in Him. Give me strength to resist temptation and to live a life of obedience that is pleasing in Your sight. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.