October 21, 2026 Devo

In 1973, Dr. Karl Menninger wrote a book called “Whatever Became of Sin?” In that book, he talked about how our culture has become more and more uncomfortable with the term “sin.” The actions of people were described in more palatable ways. People were “disturbed.” People were “genetically predisposed.” People were “environmentally influenced.” People's behavior tended to be excused or blamed on society. It was a move away from what was regarded as morally wrong. If there is no “sin,” then individuals are no longer accountable.
I thought of that book when I read our passage today. God asks Hosea to do something outrageous. He tells him to go find and marry a prostitute and have children with her. Why would God do that? Look at what God says. “This will illustrate how Israel has acted like a prostitute by turning against the Lord and worshiping other gods.” This dramatic show was an attempt to wake up Israel to what they had become and how far they had drifted from the Lord.
Listen very carefully to this because it is a symptom we often see. The Israelites had lost their conscience. They saw their worship of other gods as a way of connecting with and adapting to the culture they were in. But in truth it was a blatant disregard for the things the Lord called “holy.” Remember this commandment: “You must not have any other gods but me.” Or how about this one: “You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything in the heavens or on the earth or in the sea. You must not bow down to them or worship them, for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God who will not tolerate your affection for any other gods.” They didn’t see what they were doing as “sin.” So God showed them what their behavior looked like to Him.
Today is a heart-check day. How’s YOUR conscience? Get real. Be honest. Are there areas in your life where you know you’re not doing what God wants? Have you convinced yourself God doesn’t really care? Have you told yourself that you’re doing enough good things that you’re entitled to a few wrong ones? Have you excused yourself by simply saying, “No one’s perfect?” Those are all signs of a calloused conscience. And it’s sin.
Let’s commit today to repent of our sin and turn fully back to God. Let’s commit to seek Him, serve Him, and love Him wholeheartedly. Let’s not fall into the same trap as the Israelites and treat our commitment to God so casually. Sin is still sin, no matter what else we want to call it. Let’s not make God have to get dramatic to point ours out. That’s God’s Word for you today.