MARCH 22, 2 Peter 2:7-8

The Bible in 2 Peter 2:7-8 tells us that Lot, the nephew of Abraham, was vexed. To be vexed is to feel bad and not at ease. The idea is one of great unrest and discomfort. It also means that a person is distressed, annoyed, and troubled. Why was Lot feeling this way? It was because he lived in an evil place called Sodom. As he was a believer and the Holy Spirit lived in him, he knew the things happening around him were dishonouring to God. Yet, he remained in Sodom as that was where his home and business were.

When you see evil around, does that trouble you? When you mix with children who are unkind, disobedient to parents and sloppy in schoolwork, do you feel out of place? If not, that is a dangerous sign. Why? Because if you are a Christian, the Holy Spirit in you will move you to feel vexed in such company or place. However, if you do not feel vexed, perhaps the Holy Spirit is not even in you, which will mean that you are not saved!

To be vexed means you are sensitive to sin, you know the sin happening around you is wrong, and that you want to do something about it. To be sensitive to sin is one of the signs of a true Christian, because the Holy Spirit will automatically prompt the believer into a distaste or dislike for things that are sinful.

If your friends are unkind to a new child in the group, you will feel vexed because you know that is not the right thing to do. If your classmates gang up to cheat someone, you will not want to join them because you know that will bring dishonour to your Heavenly Father.

Thought: May we feel vexed for the cause of Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, keep me from bad company and teach me to be sensitive to sin, so that I will stay away from people who will influence me in a negative way. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.