The ocean has always been a fascinating statement of God’s infinite power. Due to its enormity, it is a constant reminder of how tiny we truly are in comparison to it. Its raging waves crashing upon the rocks of the cliffs speak of our inability to tame it, teaching us that we are indeed not in control of everything as we would like to believe. Still, its most attractive attribute for most sea lovers has to be the many treasures and secrets guarded beneath its unconquerable depths. Some are lured by the wealth and fame attached to the discovery of these lost treasures, while others are enamored with the adventure of taking on the sea itself and unveil its elusive secrets. Yet it is fascinating to know that regardless of the multiple attempts of reaching the ocean’s abyssal, man has never succeeded in reaching it. Those who have been fortunate to survive this dangerous quest have shared their tales of mysterious new creatures lurking in the shadows of the ocean and the surreal feeling of being in an atmosphere where darkness engulfs every inch. A darkness so thick and heavy, that even the most skilled of seamen cannot avoid the fearful thought of being lost forever inside the ocean’s abyss. A dread brought upon the mind when the realization that they find themselves in the part of the sea where finding them and rescuing them is a very slim possibility surfaces. For this reason, those who have been fortunate to return from such a journey strongly advise that it is best to avoid venturing into the abysses of the sea, for the risk is too real and too great. Unfortunately, a great number of seamen who refused to heed this advice have delved into a point of no return. An unnecessary tragedy given birth by obstinacy and pride leading them to embrace a delusion. Thus, it is not surprising that the same is true with regards to humanity’s refusal to heed God’s warning of sin. The apostle Paul makes manifest that because of this obduracy, Satan is able to deviate mankind deeper and deeper into sin “with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this reason God will send them strong delusion, that they should believe the lie, that they all may be condemned who did not believe the truth but had pleasure in unrighteousness” (2nd Thessalonians 2:9-12, emphasis added). Like the depths of the ocean, it is wise to comprehend that sin also has an abyss that has claimed an enormous amount of precious souls. God, through His apostle, speaks of the danger of falling into these abysses of sin. In this epistle, our brother Paul grants us a description of one who is trapped in habitual sin. A similar lesson is taught by Paul in his second epistle sent to Corinth. The Holy Spirit clarifies that “if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine on them” (2nd Corinthians 4:3-4, emphasis added). Observe that God explains that those who are “perishing” are trapped in that situation because they refuse to accept God’s word as true. The rejection of Divine counsel is how man finds himself beneath the depths of sin. However, it important to understand that man falls into this pit because “each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed” (James 1:14, emphasis added). This is how “the god of this age” blinds man and leads him astray. It is Satan’s intention to drown man in his own sin so that the Gospel of Christ will not have an effect in him anymore. Yet, it is unjust to solely blame the devil for this fall. James and Paul both prove that man chose to ignore God’s plea to man not to venture into those uncharted waters of sin. Our Master coincides with the inspired scribes as He revealed to Nicodemus “and this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and man loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (John 3:19, emphasis added). This same John further elaborates this threat as he explains that “all that is in the world – the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life – is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever” (1st John 2:16-17, emphasis added). It is impossible to deny the truth held in Scripture concerning man’s self-deceit. Man is verily prey of his own uncontrolled lust and pride. The danger, however, is that the more he avidly practices it the deeper he sinks into sin. Holy Scripture vehemently and urgently instructs us that “if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins” (Hebrews 10:26, emphasis added). Behold the abysses of sin! This revelation given to us by God illuminates the addictive nature of sin. Solomon gives us more validation of sin’s true nature in his description of “those who linger long at the wine, those who go in search of mixed wine” (Proverbs 23:30, emphasis added). As Solomon provides a vivid account of the effects of drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29-35), the inspired king concludes his illustration by warning that those who do not heed his advice “will be like one who lies down in the midst of the sea, or like one who lies at the top of the mast, saying: ‘They have struck me, but I was not hurt; They have beaten me, but I did not feel it. When shall I awake, that I may seek another drink’” (Proverbs 23:35, emphasis added)? This illustration of a man addicted to alcohol is one that manifests precisely the addiction of sin. It is no secret of the great losses those battling alcoholism endure due to their stubborn refusal of putting down the bottle. Family, friends, health, and life are all sacrificed by the alcoholic who refuses to stop drinking. When a person is subjected to this tragic addiction, it is said that he has spiraled deep into self-destruction. If he remains in self-denial about his problem, no one will be able to convince him to stop. Thus, the same is true with the person who persists to continue living in sin. Israel was left as an example of this lesson, for Holy Writ promulgates that they “trusted in your wickedness; you have said, ‘No one sees me’; your wisdom and your knowledge have warped you; and you have said n your heart, ‘I am, and there is no one else besides me’” (Isaiah 47:10, emphasis added). Israel’s persistence to openly practice idol worship, in defiance of Jehovah God, ultimately led them to captivity by the hands of the Assyrians. They had sunk so deep in to the abyssal of sin that “there is no one who calls on Your name, who stirs himself up to take hold of You; For You have hidden Your face from us, and have consumed us because of our iniquities” (Isaiah 64:7, emphasis added). The cruel reality is that when a person has been wallowing in putrid mire for some time, he becomes accustomed and immune to the stench. Sadly, the same is true of sin in this world; for man’s conscience is no longer bothered by it.
