Micah 1

“Therefore I will wail and howl, I will go stripped and naked. I will make a wailing like the jackals and a mourning like the ostriches, for her wounds are incurable. For it has come to Judah. It has come to the gate of My people—to Jerusalem.” (Micah 1:8–9, NKJV)

Micah was from Judah, but he prophesied about the northern kingdom of Israel as well as the southern kingdom of Judah. When Samaria was taken captive by the Assyrians for the sin of idolatry, Jerusalem had the opportunity to learn and turn from her sins. But Micah saw that they would not do this. Consequently, he wailed and howled because the incurable wounds of Israel would come upon Judah.

This shows how impossible it is to contain sin. In Scripture, sin is compared to yeast that quickly spreads through an entire batch of dough. This is why we must deal radically with sin as quickly as possible and not play with it. Even if we can get by without a major calamity, what about others who are watching us? Father, what priorities do your children see in you? Mother, what example are you leaving for your children in how you talk about others? It is tragic when we spread the disease of sin to those closest to us.

Nevertheless, each person still has his or her own choice. One person comes under the influence of the sins of others; another person rejects such evil behavior. Each of us will give an account of himself before God. We must be circumspect both in the example we leave for others and in what we imitate in others.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.’” (1 Corinthians 15:33, ESV)