Isaiah 47:6
“I was wroth with my people, I have polluted mine inheritance, and given them into thine hand: thou didst shew them no mercy; upon the ancient hast thou very heavily laid thy yoke.”
I have had the privilege of traveling abroad to preach in foreign countries. One of the main things that stands out in my mind about some of the countries is the poor quality of air. Many of these countries have smog that has polluted the air. In some of these countries, it is not safe to drink the water because of the pollutants that have contaminated their drinking water. It is sad that these people live have to this way.
In the verse above, God said that His people were polluted. These people allowed their lives to be contaminated with something that caused themselves and others harm. Four things caused these people to be polluted.
First, they were filled with self. They said in verse 7, “I shall be a lady for ever…” These people were so filled with who they were that they thought nothing would ever happen to them. Christian, you must be careful that you don't get self-absorbed. Life does not revolve around you. Many people have allowed their successes to bring them to a point where they thought nothing would ever happen to them. It doesn't matter what you have accomplished in life; you are still fallible, and God is capable of taking you down. Don't forget that!
Second, they were given to pleasures. These people were all about doing what felt good. Pleasures do come to an end. If you live for pleasure, you will eventually live a broken life. There is nothing wrong with pleasures, but they must not be your goal in living. Those who live for pleasures will one day find the will of God loathsome, resulting in their departure from His will.
Third, they were careless with living. One of the main causes of our failures in the Christian life is our inattentiveness of how our actions affect others. Everything you do affects someone. You should be attentive in all that you do. Careless living leads to a second-rate effort. On the other hand, attentiveness causes you to think about how your actions affect others. Attentiveness causes you to live for excellence. Attentiveness causes you not to allow the little details of Scriptures to go unheeded. I’m not saying you should live a life of worry, but you shouldn't be careless with your living. Don't let carelessness pollute your Christian life.
Fourth, they never considered tomorrow’s consequences. These people said in verse 8, “…I am, and none else beside me; I shall not sit as a widow, neither shall I know the loss of children…” They thought they could live any way they wanted without suffering the consequences. There are consequences to every decision you make and every action you perform. You may enjoy what you are doing today, but you will live with the consequences tomorrow. Living for today without consideration for tomorrow pollutes your life with sin.
Has your life been polluted with these contaminates? Don't allow your life to be polluted. Live a holy life, and every time you find yourself contaminated with these pollutants, quickly confess your sin to God so that He can cleanse you from them.