What Happens in Vegas...

Prince Harry made headlines in Australia because of his partying ways in Las Vegas, often referred to as "Sin City."  Famous for its strip of hotels, casinos, clubs, risque adult entertainment, call girls, and endless buffets, the city of Las Vegas has a adopted a bold-faced lie as its slogan:  "What Happens in Vegas Stays in Vegas."  The moniker fits in my opinion because sin is deceitful.  The concept that there is a geographic place on earth where morality and consequences are nil is the fantasy of fools.  Most people leave Vegas with less money than they came, so obviously money stays there!  Even if mobile phone cameras hadn't been invented, Prince Harry and others just looking "to have fun" leave Vegas with far less dignity.  What happened behind closed doors has been shouted from the rooftops with the long reach and permanent smudge of the internet.

The potential for scandal is not based upon geographic limits.  A city nor outside influences are justifications for scandalous behaviour.  The issue is one of the heart.  Just like what happens in Vegas does not stay in Vegas, the desires and lusts in the heart of a person will find their release.  The things people think about and the fantasies they entertain will eventually spill over into real life.  What we set before our eyes and the people we associate with have the potential to lead us into grave error and sin.  James 1:13-15 reads, "Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. ¹⁴ But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. ¹⁵ Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death."  We sin when we transgress the righteous commands of God's laws.  Jesus says that if a man even looks with lust at a woman, he has already committed adultery with her in his heart.  The heart is drowning in sin long before a man acts out on his desires.

The Bible always tells us to do what is right, not just avoid doing what is wrong.  Deuteronomy 6:5 says, "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength."  If a man loves God, he will honour, respect, and obey Him.  A man who loves his wife will not cheat on her or be disloyal.  He will consider her feelings, respect her wishes, listen to her, and spend quality time with her.  Instead of focusing on trying not to do all the things that he knows will weaken and destroy the marriage, his love will positively strengthen and deepen their relationship.  When Joseph (a single man at the time) was tempted by a married seductress to have sex, he did not apologetically decline.  "Well, I know it's old school, but I was raised to wait until marriage.  I mean, you are attractive and it sounds like fun, but if someone found out I would be in big trouble.  We wouldn't want those pics plastered on the pyramids."  No!  Genesis 39:9 says, "There is no one greater in this house than I, nor has he kept back anything from me but you, because you are his wife. How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?"  Joseph honoured God and his master.  He saw this suggestion as great wickedness and his heart refused to even entertain the idea of sin.

The devil delights to deceive a man into thinking he can sin without consequences.  The moment a man sins in his heart--even in Las Vegas--God knows.  When desires are conceived they bring forth sin.  And when sin is full grown, it brings forth death.  After a woman becomes pregnant, a tiny person begins to grow within her womb.  As the mother eats, nutrients are passed to the growing baby.  Even though 9 months is the typical length of a pregnancy, a child can be born months before or weeks past the original due date.  Sin in our hearts is like a developing baby,  At first there may be a little "morning sickness" which is actually a disturbed conscience, but people get over that.  A pregnant woman will ultimately give birth to a baby, whether she is aware of her pregnancy or not.  It is not unheard of that a woman goes to the doctor thinking she is experiencing abdominal cramps but is actually giving birth to a child!  The point?  Sin grows in the hearts of all people, developing slowly.  Whether we recognise the symptoms or not, sin when full-grown brings forth death.  Even as a baby emerges from his mother into the world, so all men will face God on the Day of Judgment.  All secret sins will be brought to light, and the soul that sins will surely die.

God made a way for our sins to be forgiven, expunged, and remembered no more.  Our permanent record of sin can be wiped clean by the blood of Jesus Christ when we repent and trust in Him.  Trying to wash yourself clean of sin is like trying to purge the internet of those embarrassing mugshots or bachelor party photos.  Even if you were to do that, it's impossible to strike from our memory some of the things we have done or seen.  But God can cleanse your heart, mind, and soul.  We can have right standing and fellowship with Him again by grace through faith.  Don't be deceived by the apparent latency period of sin.  Galatians 6:7-8 says, "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. ⁸ For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life."