Many people know the story of Sodom and Gomorrah.
But buried inside that moment of judgment is a quieter warning, one that still speaks loudly today. It's the lesson shared of Lot’s wife, a nameless soul in Scripture. Not remembered for who she was, but for one split moment of disobedience.
God’s instruction was clear: Do not look back. There's nothing worth seeing in the past. Freedom was in front of her. Mercy was already granted. Wrath was behind her.
And yet, she looked back.
Just a glance.
Just one moment.
Just curiosity.
What could it hurt? No one would even know. But God knew. And there was reason for the instruction.
That single look cost her everything. Not because God was harsh, but because obedience is never optional, even when escape is underway.
And if we’re honest, we fight this same battle daily as Christians.
Just one more look.
Just one more time.
No one will know.
God will forgive.
The issue is, looking backward isn't as simple as a glance. It's opening a door. It's allowing access. It's a temptation and memory of things that should have been put to rest. In looking backward, we loose sight of where we should be walking.
What begins as an unchecked thought quietly becomes an action, an invitation. And, before we realize it, we’re staring backward at a life God already delivered us from. So why do we do this?
Is God’s instruction unclear?
Is His calling unfair?
Is the promise not worth it?
Of course it is.
But Scripture reminds us our battle isn’t against flesh and blood. It’s against unseen forces... whispers that minimize sin, justify compromise, and blur the urgency of obedience. And when we fail to stay armored in God’s Word, we become easy targets.
The enemy doesn’t fight fair.
There are no rules of engagement. And our weaknesses are predictable.
So what’s the answer? How do we combat this? One step of obedience at a time. One victory today. One surrendered decision right now.
Every obedient step strengthens the next. Either we believe in the credibility of God and that He is worthy of our full obedience, or we don’t. And make no mistake: lukewarm is still a position. And it’s the most dangerous one.
So the next time you’re tempted to look back, remember who you are. Remember the calling on your life. Remember the price already paid so you could walk forward in freedom.
Take the thought captive.
Replace it with prayer.
Anchor it in Scripture.
In the ever waging war for hearts and souls, everything counts. And it’s time we live like we were truly made for more... because we were.
~ Devin
Devin Osborne
