Jeremiah 19

“And I will make this city a horror …” (v8). Jeremiah had the terrible task of announcing judgment on Jerusalem and all Judah. They had taken their status as God’s people for granted, thinking it gave them license to sin. But their violence, oppression and child sacrifice horrified the Lord (v4-5), and so He turned them over to their enemies. The Babylonians would invade and conquer Jerusalem, and the idols the Israelites had worshipped would not be able to save them (v13).

Like Jeremiah, Paul warned believers to take their actions seriously. Living according to the sinful nature leads to destruction and death, but walking with Jesus by the Spirit brings “life and peace (Romans 8:6).