In Acts 27 we read that Paul, a prisoner headed for Rome, warned the centurion of disaster if they set sail. The man, however, listened to contrary advice and gave orders for the ship to leave port.
When a gentle south breeze got them off to a favorable start, it looked as if Paul had been wrong. But soon the sky darkened. The breeze turned into a howling wind. Waves battered the shop with merciless fury. Several days later the vessel ran aground and was broken into pieces by the storm. Paul had been right!
J. C. Macauley used this story to show what happens to a young person who is lured by the soft south wind of pleasant circumstances that may temporarily accompany wicked conduct. He described five stages of decline in Acts 27. A youth leaves (v. 13) the moorings of home and church, is caught (v. 15) in a whirl of excitement, is driven (v. 17) by the winds of passion, is lightened (v. 18) of his or her former virtues, and finally is broken by the storm (v. 41).
Recently I saw several pictures of highly successful artists and actors. These men were doing well financially. They were well-liked by their peers. Everything seemed to be fine, but they were living immorally. And they all contracted AIDS. Today they are dead.
Don’t be lured by the “soft south wind.” – Herbert Vander Lugt
Sin, like the soothing, gentle breeze
That cools a fevered brow,
May bring delight for just a while –
But not beyond the NOW! – D. J. De Haan
If we were not deceived by sin, we would not take delight in sin.
- August 15, 1990, Our Daily Bread
For You 