CAUGHT UNARMORED - January 8, 2026
This week our Thursday Night Bible Study returned to its study on spiritual
warfare by examining the life of Abraham’s nephew, Lot.
We traced Lot’s physical movement through Scripture:
- Genesis 13:10–11— choosing land near
Sodom
- Genesis 13:12 — moving close enough to Sodom
to be affected by the consequences of proximity
- Genesis 14:12; 19:1 — dwelling within the city of
Sodom
Lot didn't wake up one day surrounded by wickedness. His journey toward Sodom was incremental. And though he resided in Sodom, he was righteous, and his soul was tormented by what surrounded him (2 Peter 2:7-8).
Lot’s journey mirrors how a believer can slowly drift away from God - not through outright rebellion - but through proximity and prolonged exposure to environments God clearly defines as sinful. In contrast to Lot, who grieved the wickedness that surrounded him,some believers today no longer grieve sin because sin has been normalized or redefined.
Over time discernment dulls, conscience reshapes, and what God’s Word calls sin is no longer received as such. This helps explain how moral judgment can become distorted. It also helps explain how Lot, after prolonged exposure to Sodom’s values, could make the unthinkable decision to offer his virgin daughters to the mob rather than surrender his houseguests (Genesis 19:6–8). Over time behaviors once considered unthinkable can appear tolerable as moral reasoning is reshaped by prolonged exposure.
The enemy is cunning and patient, rarely attacking head-on but
often drawing believers away through small, unguarded steps. When believers neglect
the armor of God, they may not realize they have been hit with a fiery
dart until they find themselves spiritually vulnerable and in the throes of
warfare (Ephesians 6:10–18).
Scripture references for further reading:
Genesis 13:13; Genesis 18:20–21; Genesis 19; Romans 1:28; Ephesians 4:17–19
As we continue our study, next week we will turn our attention to righteousness. Scripture repeatedly shows righteous people failing morally while still belonging to God, reminding us that righteousness speaks to relationship, not perfection. This will be a needed and clarifying study.
Don’t quit in ’26.
Not because the road will be easy,
but because God is faithful even when the journey is hard.
Yetta N.A.