Tag: wickedness

BIG LESSONS FROM EGLON

Dale Pollard

 “Now Eglon was a very fat man” (Judges 3.17). 

 King Eglon of Moab shows up in Judges three as, perhaps, the biggest enemy of God’s people. After Israel turns away from the Lord, God allows Eglon to oppress them for eighteen long years. Though Eglon was a huge ruler, his story teaches us several bigger lessons. 

 First, Eglon reminds us that earthly power is temporary. He was a king with wealth, influence, and military strength, but his reign ended suddenly. No matter how powerful a person may seem, all human authority is ultimately subject to God’s will (Daniel 4:35). 

 Second, Eglon’s account shows the consequences of sin. Israel’s oppression under Moab was the result of their disobedience. While Eglon chose to act wickedly, his rise to power was also a reminder that turning away from God brings painful consequences. Sometimes those consequences are big. Very big. 

 Third, Eglon’s demise proves that God can and will deliver His people in unexpected ways. God raised up Ehud, an unlikely hero, to free Israel from that Moabite oppression. Never underestimate what God can accomplish through ordinary people who simply trust Him. You probably won’t stab an obese man, but God has a job for you all the same.

 Finally, Eglon’s story reminds us that pride and self-confidence offer no real security. He likely felt fat and happy in his private chamber, protected by servants and royal status, yet none of these could save him when God’s judgment came.  

Moabite sarcophagus in Jordan Archaeological Museum in Amman, Jordan

Dissensions

Neal Pollard

In the middle of a list of desires of the flesh which cost one an eternity with God is an interesting word. It is only found here in Galatians 5:20 and Romans 16:17 (some manuscripts contain it in 1 Corinthians 3:3). Every major translation renders it “dissensions.” Lexicons give us some insight into what this compound Greek word means: “the state of being in factious opposition” (BDAG, 252-253). But I appreciate the explanation of Louw-Nida the best: “In some languages the equivalent of ‘causing division’ is literally ‘to cause two groups in place of one group,’ but more frequently the equivalent is expressed in terms of attitudes, for example, ‘to cause people to be angry at one another’ or ‘to cause people not to like one another’ or ‘to cause people to think of one another as enemies'” (493).  The word was often used of politics in the ancient world, where those passionate about it would use it to divide people (sound familiar?). The Theological Dictionary of the New Testament shows how early church writings, like 1 Clement and especially The Shepherd of Hermes speak of how destructive it was to the early church (Vol. 1, 514).

Practically speaking, the group dynamics of even the body of Christ reveal this tendency. Scripture warns that this comes from fleshly rather than spiritual desires and motives. Paul tells Rome that it comes from people who are slaves of their appetites and are deceptive manipulators of naive hearts (16:18). He tells Corinth (3:3) and Galatia (5:16) that it is driven by fleshly desires. 

With dissensions, the one causing them seeks to gain something out of the actions. They “win” by dividing people.  What do they win? In 1 Corinthians, it’s implied that they win the loyalty and following of brethren. In Romans, they win allegiances that benefit them–think preachers who stand to gain by making their own disciples or church leaders who want their will and wishes to be the guiding influence in the congregation. It can even be individual Christians who are jealous of friendships and relationships and try to alienate and marginalize those they perceive as threats. 

Jesus wants His disciples united (John 17:20-21). Anything that undermines that would necessarily be fleshly rather than spiritual. Nowhere does God want His people united in error, but that’s a far cry from the principle of those who drives wedges between people based on petty, subjective, or self-serving reasons. Whatever prompts the temptation toward this lust of the flesh, whether pride, vanity, arrogance, or something else, it must be rooted out and supplanted by the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). We must “keep an eye on it…and turn away from them” (Romans 16:17). Be someone who brings people together, that strengthens the bond of all the members of God’s family! 

Books by the Pollards

A Tiny Spark Snail Mail Club (Kathy Pollard)

Having The Right Attitude About My Sin

Neal Pollard

I have read, studied, taught and preached Psalm 38 throughout the years, but reading it today I saw it from a different angle. What David says about his sin in this psalm reveals why he was a man after God’s own heart (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). The common tendency of even good people is to deny, deflect, defend, and dispute their sins, and pride is the best explanation for such an unrighteous response. David, on the other hand, humbly admits and confesses his sins. As I study his inspired words, it convicts me to adopt the same attitude in my own heart when confronted with my sins. It also encourages me to examine my life to see if I am harboring and holding onto sin.

David shows me several attitudes I should possess regarding my sins.

My sin should make me sick (1-3). This is driven by knowing how God feels about my sin. Rebellious, impenitent sin draws God’s anger, wrath, and indignation (1,3). He punishes sin (2). So often, when I sin, I allow (force?) myself to forget how God sees sin. When I see it as He sees it, “there is no health in my bones because of my sin” (3b).

My sin should overwhelm me (4-8). Rather than rationalize, David owns what his sins are doing to him. They cover him (4), weigh him down (4), infect him (5), humble him (6), grieve him (6), hurt him (7), crush him (8), and trouble him (8). If I am so affected by my sins, how can I hang onto them? How often do I nurture, protect, enable, exalt, parade, and gloat over my sin? I read how God portrays such hardhearted, wholehearted participation in sin in passages like Romans 1:18-32 or Ephesians 4:17-19, and it makes me ask if my approach is more like David or like them. A proper confrontation with my sin should make me come undone, repulsed by it!

My sin should make me appreciate its cost (9-14). David sees the damage sin does to relationships, and it makes him abhor it. He certainly sees how it affects his relationship with God (9; Isaiah 59:1-2). He sees how it affects his relationship with himself (10; Psalm 51:1-13). He sees how it affects his relationship with loved ones (11; Romans 14:7). He sees how it affects his relationship with even his enemies (12). He also sees how sin reduces him, making him a shell of himself. He is like a deaf and mute man because of his sin (13-14). More than once, I have seen a person sacrifice every good and wholesome relationship in order to hold onto sin. But when I look at my own life, I need to honestly ask if I am hurting God, myself, and others by my sin.

My sin should drive me back to God (15-22). The longest single section of this psalm is devoted, not to the defeat of sin, but to the deliverer from sin. While some have let sin overwhelm and defeat them, David refused! Dramatically, he shifts his focus from his sin to his Sovereign! He appeals to the Lord (15-16). He acknowledges His power (15). He appreciates his weakness (17). He admits his iniquity (18). He asks for protection from sinners who are hurting him (19-20). He appeals to God for help and salvation (21-22). My greatest battles with sin have come when I have relied on myself to break free. While I have a part to play, how often I struggle because I have ignored the greatest, single weapon in the warfare with wickedness? I have a God who longs to forgive me (1 John 1:9), who will run to me when I come back to Him (Luke 15:20).

I hate that I will fight sin as long as I am in this body, but Psalm 38 is one of the countless resources God has given me to show me how to win. By maintaining a proper view of sin and its costs, I will do what David does. I will not stop until I have done everything in my power and God’s power to overcome it! That’s a healthy attitude toward sin! 

Books by the Pollards

A Tiny Spark Snail Mail Club (Kathy Pollard)

Beware Of Bindweed!

Neal Pollard

Despite drought conditions, we have something growing heartily in our yard. Over the years, I’ve tried to kill it at the roots and find where it is growing. But, it seems more vigilant than I am. Therefore, it is more prolific than ever. It’s a frustrating problem!

I’m referring to Hedge Bindweed, also known as Rutland beauty, wild morning glory, Bugle vine, and Granny-pop-out-of-bed. According to the Washington State University extension, its seed can remain viable in the ground for 50 years! It can spread up to 15 feet and develop deep, strong roots and it can regrow its shoot system in just three weeks (https://smallgrains.wsu.edu/weed-resources/common-weed-list/field-bindweed/). Needless to say, you have got to stay on top of eradication if you ever hope to be successful.

Have you ever observed how there are things in your life that operate that way? Have you ever had a persistent sin struggle, thoughts, attitudes, temptations that you had to continually fight? Perhaps you thought you had conquered it, then in a battle or test you find that it is still there. 

This reminds me of a warning issued by the writer of Hebrews, when he said, “See to it that no one comes short of the grace of God; that no root of bitterness springing up causes trouble, and by it many be defiled” (12:15). Just like Ezekiel describes Jerusalem as a useless vine (17:1-10), there are sin problems that can sprout and spread and send out branches. 

Here’s how it works. We succumb to pride, lust, jealousy, anger, worry, fear, bitterness, or a similar noxious spiritual weed and it takes root in our heart. We feed it, reinforce it, and cultivate it. Or, perhaps, we neglect to remove it and cut it out. Either way, it takes over and even changes who we are. This is not a minor trifle or nuisance. Look in the Bible at individuals like Esau, Joseph’s brothers, King Saul, the scribes and Pharisees who opposed both Jesus and Paul, and you will see how treacherous and deadly these attributes become when they bind to our hearts! 

It is most like the thorns in Jesus’ parable of the soils (Mark 4:7), with struggles like worries, deceitfulness, and unrighteous desires choking out the word (Mark 4:18-19). If unchecked, these things can be likened to “bindweed.” They attach themselves to our hearts and minds and they prevent us from being spiritually fruitful. Have you ever seen how jealousy changes a person? Or what pride does in one’s life? How lust dominates and turns one to depravity? More to the point, is there something like this growing in your heart?

The solution is to root it out! Don’t stop with a single effort. It may be a daily battle for the foreseeable future, but keep at it! The moment you relax and think it’s gone, it will begin growing again. Genuinely repent and ask God to help. He has promised to help renew our minds (Romans 12:2). That spiritual invader does not have to win. God wants to help us eradicate it. His Word and His power provide the means! Get the right tools and get to work on killing whatever unhelpful, unholy thing may be spreading in your heart! 

Books by the Pollards

A Tiny Spark Snail Mail Club (Kathy Pollard)

SUPERFLUITY OF NAUGHTINESS

Neal Pollard

As a young preacher, James 1:18-27 was one of the first sections of Scripture I memorized. James is a practical book, and I was using a Dickson study Bible given to me by Wendell Winkler and the Bible Department at Faulkner University upon my graduation. The study Bible was in the King James Version, the version I had grown up with. The Elizabethan English and archaic words made memorizing, to me, much easier than other versions. 

James 1:21 reads, “Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.” Disparagers of the version might admit that there is a certain poetry to the words and cadence in verses like this: “lay apart,” “engrafted,” and “superfluity of naughtiness.” Apologists might admit that people do not speak that way and stumble upon such unfamiliar words in personal study. 

What is “superfluity of naughtiness”? How does it function in this verse and context? The NASB’s rendering is disappointingly inadequate, yielding “all that remains.” The ESV comes much closer with “rampant.” The NLT does not even translate it. The NKJ gives a pretty good idea with “overflow.” This word, found in its various forms in only four New Testament verses (Romans 5:17; 2 Corinthians 8:2 and 10:15, and here), means “Over and above, an overflowing, something above the ordinary” (Zodhiates). It refers to “extraordinary” or “more than usual” things (TDNT, Vol. 6, 61). It is “much greater” (Newman, 141). “Naughtiness” is simply the state of wickedness, evil, and depravity “with the implication of that which is harmful and damaging” (Louw-Nida, 753).

James has been talking about how to properly receive God’s Word. That word makes one spiritually reborn (18) and saves the soul (21). It will bless one’s actions (25). According to James 1:21 and the surrounding context, we must destroy all obstacles to that necessary result. Barriers include stubbornness (19), anger at the word (19-20), hearing without doing (22-24), forgetfulness (25), failing to bridle the tongue (26), deceiving the heart (26), and, in our verse, “rampant wickedness.”

You cannot allow the word to work on your heart so long as you hold on to mean-spirited, vicious attitudes and dispositions or depravity in your heart. But, when you lay it aside or put it away, and you open and humble your heart, you are in position to hear what God has to say and let it positively influence you. 

What is your superfluity of naughtiness? Is it bitterness because of trials (1:2-4,12)? Is it double-mindedness (1:8)? Is it improper attitudes toward money (1:9-11)? Is it various lusts and enticements of the world (1:13-15)? It is whatever we hang onto that drowns out God’s word. Like a malignant tumor, rampant wickedness must be completely removed from our hearts and minds. Only then can we allow the power of the word to work on and transform us from the inside out! 

Bible Land Tour (Mediterranean)(3)

Neal Pollard

The ship left dock yesterday evening to begin our tour through the Mediterranean. Today, we visited an iconic site that at first glance may seem to have no biblical significance. The city of Pompeii and its lesser-known neighbor, Herculanum, were destroyed by a massive volcanic explosion in 79 A.D. Herculanum, much closer to the blast, was much more destructive to its inhabitants while the city of Pompeii was almost perfectly preserved due to its being covered by ash which did not vaporize buildings and houses.

There is some theory that there were a small band of Christians in the city when the catastrophic natural disaster occurred. Beyond that, the city was thought by Jews and even Romans to be a judgment against the rampant sin and immorality of the city or a divine judgment, from the Roman historian Cassius to the Sibylline Chronicles. While we cannot know that, we know that there will be a judgment none will escape at the end that God wants us all to be prepared for.

Before we returned to the ship, we were able to see where Paul docked in Italy. The small port in Puteoli is near the modern city of Naples (Napoli). Luke records this fact for us in Acts 28:13.

It was impressive to see what the first-century world was like where Christians had to swim against the massively immoral tide of their culture and society. Spiritual darkness must have seemed eclipsing at times, but they had the boldness to live their faith even in wicked cities like Pompeii. We have so much to be thankful for as we consider the relative ease with which we can express our faith and share it today! It is not always that way. It did not seem to be in southern Italy near the end of the first-century.

Half Mast

Carl Pollard

We have an American flag in the front yard of our church building here at Scottsville. Sadly, I’ve noticed lately that is has been flying at half mast more often than not. It is a common practice to fly the flag at half mast after a tragedy occurs. Our world has always been filled with evil, but the method of acting on evil impulses has just changed over time. Why is the flag always at half mast? Because evil people continue to do what they have always done. Hurt others. 

Despite our political differences, we should all be able to agree on these facts: Shooting up a school is evil. Taking an innocent life is the epitome of wickedness. And yet we get distracted by the politics of the situation and fail to see who is truly responsible. Satan has a firm grip on our world, and if we don’t do something to bring people out of his hold, bad things will continue to happen to good people. 

We shouldn’t be surprised at the state of our country. We have removed God from every place, and a godless country will only ever be evil. If we truly want to fix the problems that are constantly happening, we need to start by bringing others to Christ. Parents need to raise their children in Christ and stop making excuses for bad behavior. Mankind is naturally inclined to wickedness. Genesis 6:5 says, “The Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intention of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” The further we move away from God, the closer we get to continual evil. 

Our flag has been at half mast far too often. I’m tired of hearing about all the innocent lives that are lost due to wicked people. Let’s put the politics aside and start focusing on the real issue. People are obsessed with following their own desires (James 1:15), and Satan loves to cheer us on. Only evil people would do what has been done lately, so let’s start teaching the love of Christ to a lost and dying world. There’s only One who can remove our wickedness, and now more than ever we need to proclaim Him! 

The Showdown Between Wisdom And Folly

Friday’s Column: Brent’s Bent

Brent Pollard

Solomon takes two primary approaches in the first nine chapters of Proverbs to encourage us to become wiser. First, Solomon assumes the role of a father instructing his sons to heed his sage counsel (Proverbs 1.8; 4.1). Second, Solomon uses the personification of wisdom as a woman to provide his students with something tangible to follow (Proverbs 1.20; 8.1).  

Regarding this latter approach, Solomon even provides a foil to Lady Wisdom in the personification of folly. So, those who want to become wise have someone to follow and avoid. We have seen Miss Folly wield her influence over men and women in chapters one through eight, nearly coming out of the shadows in the form of the adulteress in Proverbs 7. Yet, in Proverbs 9, Miss Folly comes out into the open to extend her competing invitation alongside Lady Wisdom’s offer. 

Wisdom and Folly compete for the same audience. They both desire to receive the companionship of the naïve and those lacking understanding (9.4). There is no need to compel the righteous or wise as they will already want to be in the companionship of Wisdom (9.8-9). But Wisdom opens her house and has her servants invite people to her feast (9.1-6). 

Wisdom is a gracious hostess. She has a great house with seven pillars. In terms of the identity of these pillars, is it a coincidence that our Lord’s half-brother uses seven adjectives to describe the wisdom from above in James 3.17? If not, the pillars of Wisdom’s house are purity, peace, obedience, industry, impartiality, and sincerity. Indeed, these qualities are not inconsistent with the wisdom Solomon encourages others to possess. And entry into Wisdom’s house multiplies one’s days and adds years to their life (9.11). 

Wisdom does more than send out her servants to garner the most attendants. Instead, she calls out to the people from a high vantage point above the city. Lady Wisdom is proactive in her approach, demonstrating her genuine concern for people. But despite how admirable her actions are, one realizes that she must be passionate because her enemy can accomplish much more while doing less. 

Miss Folly ensures others can see her (9.14), but she does even get up out of her seat. As I read about Miss Folly’s approach, I could not help but think of a prostitute’s solicitation. For example, if one visits Amsterdam’s red-light district, he sees sex workers standing in store-front windows as if on display in lingerie, smiling and flirting with the passersby. Yes, if someone walks through the red-light district, he knows what he wants. I believe Miss Folly likely realizes this as well. 

One has to put forth no effort to remain naïve. The wisdom-averse can continue to scoff and act wickedly (9.7). However, this one believes Miss Folly when she says, “Stolen water is sweet; And bread eaten in secret is pleasant” (9.17 NASB1995). In other words, Miss Folly requires no discipline from her guests. They do not have to reform themselves or strive to do and be better.  

Miss Folly would be nothing more than a nuisance if it weren’t for her boisterousness attracting the attention of even those attempting to keep their paths straight (9.13-15). But, as Christians know, the alternative to the “strait gate” and narrow way is that colloquial “highway to hell” (Matthew 7.13-14). Solomon warns us that Miss Folly’s houseguests end up in the depths of Sheol (9.18). That is reason enough to avoid Miss Folly and attend Lady Wisdom’s feast. 

We must choose which invitation to accept. We will listen to Lady Wisdom, who has done a lot of planning and always keeps her promises. Or Lady Folly, who promises much but delivers nothing? The choice should be obvious.   

Why Jesus Offended The Pharisees

Neal Pollard

Jesus wasn’t going around just trying to make enemies of anyone, but He was fearlessly living and telling the truth no matter the circumstances. What we read in Luke 11:37-54 is how the scribes, Pharisees, and experts on the Law were living by the gospel according to self. They looked really righteous and knowledgeable on the surface, but of course Jesus can see below the surface at what’s actually going on in the heart and mind. It seems that there are several reasons why Jesus offended these religious leaders on this occasion.

He Exposed “Surface Spirituality” (37-41). They were so obsessed with appearances, doing things to look good to others. Yet, Jesus said they were full of corruption and wickedness in their hearts. They knew how to look spiritual without being godly, a deadly condition! 

He Exposed “Majoring In The Minors” And “Minoring In The Majors” (42). He doesn’t rebuke the attention to details, but says they neglected what really mattered when making gestures that appeared to show how scrupulous and careful their religion was. True religion is supposed to stand on huge pillars like divine justice and love. Operate from those qualities and you are well on your way to true righteousness. 

He Exposed “Appearance-Driven Actions” (43-45). Jesus called them on their love of the chief seats and respectful greetings. Surely most people appreciate being appreciated, but such can never be what drives or motivates us to do praiseworthy things. 

He Exposed “Hypocritical Holiness” (46). They were good at making rules others needed to follow while not bothering to live by those same rules. Beware holding others to a standard you do not submit to yourself. Here, these appear to be their own convictions which they bind on others rather than God’s laws. 

He Exposed “Artificial Admiration” (47-51). They seemed to conclude that revering long-dead prophets was the spiritually acceptable thing to do, but they rejected and hated the greatest man in history–God in the flesh. While decorating the tombs of men their ancestors had slaughtered throughout the Old Testament, from Abel (Gen. 4) to Zechariah (2 Chron. 24:20-21)–like saying A to Z, they were actively fighting One even greater and ready to do the same to His disciples. 

He Exposed “Wicked Watchdogs” (52). Jesus’ last accusation is as piercing as they come. He says they took away the key to knowledge. They refused to enter the kingdom, but they actively hindered others who were trying to enter. They made themselves the gatekeepers to God, a presumptuous but also misguided effort. 

And did they humbly repent and change their ways when the Son of God called them out? No. Their pride overrode any other impulse, and they grew more hostile, plotting how they might trap Him in something He might say. They became more critical and vicious. They had hardened their hearts that much. The takeaway for me is abundantly clear. What do I do with Jesus’ will? Do I take to heart His admonitions and challenges, or do I allow sinful pride to eclipse my view of it? Do I dig my trenches deeper or do I allow His will to shape and influence me? I pray that I will choose the latter!

 The Doom of Jerusalem 

Tuesday Column: Dale Mail

image

Dale Pollard

Have you ever been to a “show and tell”? Maybe it was in school and the teacher asked you to get up in front of the class and show a particular object and explain and talk a little bit about it. I remember as a child dragging my giant yellow dump truck to class and showing everyone how the scoop on the back worked. I was very proud of it and after the class I sat on the truck and rode it down the hill in the parking lot. 

Jeremiah’s “show and tell” was not nearly as lighthearted. Instead of bringing a toy truck to show the people, he brought a sword and began to shave his face with it. The hair that he shaved off was what has been left alive by the people. The point of him dividing it into thirds was to make a point. That one third are the ones that survived the siege. Then the few that survive will be taken off but taken care of by God. In Zechariah 13 we find out that the fire of destruction took care of the first third. This wasn’t a fire that was meant to refine them. 

When we look at accounts like these it should make us think. Why was that account there? It’s definitely for our learning, but what is it that we need to take away? I believe at least two lessons can be learned from this. The first is that God will keep His word. If God says that He is going to punish the wicked for their wickedness, then He will most definitely do so. The second lesson to be learned is that in all of this, we can clearly see God’s love. Did God have to take care of the remnant? We know from previous scripture that God wanted to destroy them all at one point and start over. God still cares for His people and He still saw them through their trials, despite what they had done to Him. As His children today we need to realize that even though God may not necessarily strike us down on the spot for rejecting Him, He still takes it just as seriously. God still feels the same about selfishness and a self-serving lifestyle. It’s an ongoing battle to put away those human desires that pull us away from God but it’s a supernatural force that allows us to remain close to Him. 

How Ugly Is Sin?

Neal Pollard

You have heard the expression, “Ugly as sin.”  Taking two of our fine young FPTC campers to the airport, I was talking with them about some unpleasant things we may see in life.  One of the campers says that the county in which he lives is reputed to be the worst in the nation for percentage of “meth” users.  You have seen the gruesome transformation caused in a person who continues to use methamphetamine–the lost teeth, sunken face, dark-circled eyes, skin blemishes, and more.  The transformation is horribly evident.  The conclusion we drew was that if all sin was that visibly ugly, we would not struggle with it.

How ugly sin is to us depends upon the condition of our hearts.  We can become callused and past feeling (1 Tim. 4:2; Eph. 4:19).  We can become completely comfortable doing or knowing others are doing what the Bible unmistakably calls sinful (Rom. 1:32).  It is possible to commit “abomination” without even blushing, much less properly recognizing the ugly appearance of our own sins (cf. Jer. 6:15; 8:12).  But, with properly trained hearts, we see our sins as dirt (Ps. 51:2), disease (Ps. 38:3), and death (Rom. 6:23; Eph. 2:1ff).  It startles us, shames us, and spurs us to eliminate it from our lives.

But, how ugly is sin to God? If we were to review the synonyms of sin, which God moved holy men to pen, we could not remain in doubt of the answer.  It is “sin” (an offense, guilt before God, miss the mark, an aberration or deviance), “transgression” (fall by the wayside, errors and faults with consequences), “iniquity” (injustice, wrong, not in harmony with righteousness), “error” (perversity, wickedness, wander out of the right way), “ungodly” (godless, without fear of God, actively opposed to God), “evil” (corrupt, malicious), and the like.  God likens it to a spot or blemish (2 Pt. 2:13), an illness (Mt. 9:12), and even a death (Eph. 2:1).  God tells us most clearly how ugly it is to Him when He says He cannot even look at it (Hab. 1:13).  Sin is so unsightly to God that He offered His most precious gift to satisfy His perfect justice regarding it (Rom. 8:3).  God does not indulge, tolerate, or “wink” at it (Acts 17:30).

The liar, fornicator, adulterer, gambler, pornography addict, proud, jealous, selfish, or similar sinner may not be physically, outwardly unattractive.  The Bible gives little merit or praise to such attractiveness.  Yet, it does depict sin as ugly!  It is as unappealing to God as the skid row bum is unsightly to us.  The discipline we need is to see sin like God sees it!