Experiencing the Torment of the Soul

Experiencing the Torment of the Soul                               September 4, 2022

“and if God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah to destruction by reducing them to ashes, having made them an example to those who would live ungodly thereafter; and if God rescued righteous Lot, oppressed by the sensual conduct of unprincipled men (for by what he saw and heard that righteous man, while living among them, felt his righteous soul tormented day after day with their lawless deeds), then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment for the day of judgment, and especially those who indulge in the flesh in its corrupt desires and despise authority.  Daring, self-willed, they do not tremble when they revile angelic majesties, whereas angels who are greater in might and power do not bring a reviling judgement against them before the Lord.” (II Peter 2:6-11)

Have you ever sat in a classroom and shivered as you heard the teacher make that irritable, scratching noise with the chalk on the chalkboard?  Covering your ears you hope he doesn’t repeat that tormenting sound that sends chills up and down your back.

I’m sure each of us have things that irritate us from time to time.  It may be the left over garbage or recyclables left on the lawn by the garbage man or your wet newspaper left out in the rain instead of being placed in your mailbox.  Whatever it is that bothers you it can have a great effect on your overall well-being if you’re not careful.  If allowed it can cause you to be negative towards others and deprive you of any meaningful joy.

Especially is this true today when we see happening in this world that are so contrary to the kind of life God expects of it.  The beliefs of people are changing drastically and Christianity is becoming less and less important.   Fewer youth are attending worship services as they seek their “own kind of worship” which is more of a “worship feeling” than a “worship of God.” 

In the scripture above it mentions that Lot had a very difficult life as he witnessed on a daily basis many ungodly acts and heard many filthy, wicked words that tormented his righteous soul and oppressed him greatly.  In his days people just did whatever they felt like doing and said whatever they felt like saying.  Whether it was right or wrong meant nothing to them.  Why would it if God was not in their life?  However, knowing that such behaviour was going on in the cities in which Lot and his family lived really bothered him.  Actually, he was tormented by it all and it likely robbed him of sleep and the joy of living.

God not only saw the wickedness going on in Sodom and Gomorrah but also noticed how much Lot was affected by such.  Peter reminds us that the Lord knows how to deliver the righteous when they are tormented as Lot was.  Less Lot succumb to the temptations surrounding him God delivered him and his family from the punishment He brought upon Sodom and Gomorrah as He reduced them to ashes.

These wicked people are described as such: Their deeds were lawless.  They indulged in the flesh in its corrupt desires.  They despise authority or being told what they can or cannot do.  They are daring and self-willed and don’t even tremble when they revile angelic authorities (have no fear of God).

Whenever Lot remembered Sodom and Gomorrah He would remember that God rescued him from his daily torment.  That same truth exists today for all those who are tormented by the unrighteous deeds and words of the wicked.

Always remain righteous even when your soul is tormented.  God is watching and in His time He will act on your behalf.

Brian Thompson