In Genesis chapter 13 Abram goes up from Egypt to the Negev back up to Bethel with his family, along with Lot and journeys. We see that Abram was very rich, had many flocks and herds and tents. Lot similarly had these material possessions, which ended up being too abundant for them both to live together (v. 6).

Thus, there was a great conflict between Abram and his nephew Lot. Abram in his greater wisdom pursued peace with Lot and said, “Please let there be no strife between you and me, nor between my herdsmen and your herdsmen, for we are brothers” (v. 8). Abram goes on to humbly defer to his nephew in verse 9, “Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me; if to the left, then I will go to the right; or if to the right, then I will go to the left” (v. 9).

Abram was older, more powerful, had more money, and more influence than Lot. He could have easily decided where he wanted to settle and have Lot go somewhere else. Instead, he strives for peace and allows Lot to choose where he settles.

Lot could have reacted in honoring his uncle and instead defer to Abram’s interests. However, in the very next verse we see where Lot’s heart and eyes were potentially fixed. We read, “Then Lot lifted up his eyes and saw all the valley of the Jordan, that it was well watered everywhere” (v. 10), inferring he was fixed on the prosperity of the land and its material possessions.

While this conversation between Abram and Lot may be simple and concise, it of course was all part of God’s providence. Lot choosing the valley of the Jordan led him eastward (v. 11). Not only did Lot move eastward, but we read in verse 12 that he “moved his tents as far as Sodom.” This statement alone triggers a response in any believer. In fact, the very next verse relays exactly what you were thinking — “Now the men of Sodom were evil and sinners, exceedingly so, against Yahweh” (verse 13).

We see one major point here, that sin has a gravitational pull effect. Lot had massive amounts of land to settle in, yet, he actively and intentionally moved his tents near Sodom (see map below). Now why would he do such a thing? The reality is that sin is enticing and can pull in anyone to its snare. David experienced this pull as he gazed across the city and saw Bathsheba bathing. Judas Iscariot felt the pull of money in his betrayal of Jesus. We must be aware of sin pulling us in like a rock from space is pulled into the Earth’s atmosphere resulting in destruction.

Now contrast this to Abram. Yahweh reminds him of his promise to grant him the land in verse 14, and we see at the end of the chapter, “Then Abram moved his tent and came and lived by the oaks of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and there he built an altar to Yahweh” (v. 18). Both Lot and Abram moved their tents; however, Abram moved his tent towards Yahweh, towards righteousness. For it was at the oaks of Mamre that Yahweh visited Abraham in a Christophany in Genesis 18. Abram trusted Yahweh and desired to dwell in His presence.

Let this be a lesson that we are either being pulled towards the flesh and sin or pulled towards God and righteousness. There is no neutral state.

Consider where you are moving your tent.

Galatians 5:16-17
But I say, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you do not do the things that you want