Title
Sin Is Contagious
Scripture
“If a man carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and touches… any other food, will it become holy?” And the priests answered, “No.”…“If one who is unclean… touches any of these, will the latter become unclean?” And the priests answered, “It will become unclean.”
(Haggai 2:12-13)
Devotional
Like health, righteousness is not contagious. However, like an infectious disease, sin is contagious. If we shake hands and you have the flu and I am healthy, you will not be affected by my healthy condition. However, I can be contaminated by your sickness. It is for this reason that the apostle Paul warns the Corinthians, “Do not be deceived: “bad company corrupts good morals.” Sin has a greater influence on righteousness than righteousness has on sin. Nevertheless, we are not to hide from the sinners of this world; we are to do our best to win them. However, we are to hide from the sins of this world. Let us love the sinner and despise his or her sin. Embrace them, but shun their sin. This we do by living above reproach and therefore turning sinners away from a multitude of sins.