Years ago, I heard an anointed missionary and personal friend speaking on the consequences of sin. He told a story about a pair of brothers he knew quite well.

In his teenage years, the older brother went through a time of rebellion against his Christian upbringing.

He went to a few parties, drank a little alcohol, tried a few drugs and quickly felt convicted of his behavior and repented before the Lord.

While it was only a few weeks of rebellion, it made a real impression on his younger brother.

You see, he was looking up to his big brother. And in those few months of watching him rebel, he decided that trying out a worldly thing or two himself was okay to do.

The older brother readily overcame that time of rebellion.

He went on to Christian college and grew to be a wonderful man of God. He traveled all over the world teaching, reviving and leading many to the Lord.

As he came to this part of the story, my anointed missionary friend began to quiver.

“That older brother was me,” he said, tears rolling down his cheeks. “And my younger brother is dying of drug addiction today. And it all started during my time of rebellion.

“I would give just about anything to take back that few weeks of backsliding just to see my little brother living for the Lord today, but I can’t. I can only pray that you who are listening today will realize that the consequences of sin are no joke”.

What a painful example of the consequences of sin.

We never know who’s watching and how they may be affected by our actions.

The job we have as believers is no small one.

Whether we realize it or not, there are so many who are observing our lives to see how we truly live out our faith.

–by George Whitten