Weekly Devotion - #46

Read: James 1:13-27

Global Aids Epidemic

Global Aids epidemic is far worse than thought. According to USA Today - The AIDS virus, (HIV) infects 16,000 people a day, not 8,500 as estimated a year ago. And 30.6 million, not 22.6 million, are living with the virus reports the United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS and the World Health Organization. New U.S. infections are steady at 40,000 a year or 110 a day. In the world 5.8 million people will be newly infected with HIV by the end of 1997. 2.3 Million people will die of AIDS in 1997 bringing total deaths to 11.7 million. 1.1 Million children under 15 have HIV, and 8.2 million uninfected children have lost parents to AIDS.

In USA Today, a man may have put 100 at risk for HIV. A man that traded drugs for sex with 28 young girls in upstate New York, has put nearly 100 people at risk for the AIDS virus and many more could be infected. Officials said the man learned he was HIV-positive more than a year ago but continued having sex with girls and young women. He often traveled to many other areas. As one official stated, "I think folks are going to panic, and that's good." Another official said, "This is a real wake-up call."

Yes, this should be a real wake-up call to many but notice that the man carrying the disease was unconcerned and did not care about others. He wanted to give as many people as possible his disease. It is sad that many follow sin and ignore the consequences. The Bible gives a warning, "Be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23). Also the Bible teaches that the end of sin is always destruction. When someone practices bad or sinful habits the results can be in cancer, brain damage, liver problems, birth problems and even death.

The end of sin is always destruction. At the time it seems good and even pleasurable but the end will be death. "Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death (or destruction)" (James 1:15).

This article is written to again warn people that sin is dangerous and has consequences that will end in destruction. Many homes, families and lives have been destroyed for just a few moments of pleasure. Learn to hate sin as it destroys and defiles. This should be a wake-up call to some folks. I hope it will be. [TGC]

THOT: The consequences of sin last longer than the pleasure of sin.

TODAY: Admit your sin and turn to Jesus for answers. Look in the Bible for verses to help you.

This lesson is from  30 Heart Touching Devotions available from SWM.

You have permission to copy for personal and church use.