Previously, we identified two factors for human miseries – ignorance and rebellion. There is a third factor which is wrong choices. The choices we make in life will never leave us the same. They either advance us or plunge us into a life of woes and miseries. If someone is prone to wrong choices, the devil does not need to wage any additional war to destroy him or her.

The choices we make in life will never leave us the same. They either advance us or plunge us into a life of woes and miseries.

Lot will stand out as a test case of someone who was destroyed by wrong choices. When situations arose that he must be separated from Abraham, he was given the opportunity to choose first. Our text describes his choice, and it is a sad commentary. What informed Lot’s choice? Firstly, his choice reflected greed. The only place that was well watered and green was the plain of Jordan, and the Bible records that he “chose for himself all the plain of Jordan”. His choice made no consideration for the other party. He adopted the winner-takes-it-all approach and not a win-win solution. Secondly, he was presumptuous. The prerogative to choose first should have been Abraham’s. Finally, he was moved by sight only. We understand that he lifted his eyes to survey where he chose. Unknown to him, he chose what had already been earmarked for destruction. There is a limit to how far our natural eyes could see.