Sin Is Expensive

We all know the feeling of wanting to cut loose and have a good time. But when it comes to the choices we make-especially the ones we know aren’t right - the price can be a lot higher than we realize. Sin is expensive, and not just in terms of money. The real costs show up in broken trust, missed opportunities, and regrets that can stick with us for years.

Let me share a recent experience that brought this home for me.

A Sauna Conversation

Not long ago, I was sitting in the gym sauna after a workout. A group of young guys, maybe 19 or 20, came in laughing and talking loudly. They started swapping stories about a wild party - people getting wasted, girls everywhere, property getting trashed. They bragged about the chaos like it was an achievement.

Then the topic changed. They started comparing how much they’d spent on tattoos. One guy had dropped $900, another $1,200, and someone else topped them all with a $2,500 sleeve. They were proud of their ink, but I couldn’t help thinking about how much they’d spent - not just in dollars, but in choices.

The Real Costs of Bad Decisions
It’s easy to laugh off a wild night or a questionable decision when you’re young, but those choices have a way of catching up with you. Here’s what I mean:

1. Money Lost
Those tattoos? They might look cool, but $2,500 is a serious amount of cash - money that could have gone toward a car, rent, or even an investment. The same goes for money spent on alcohol, drugs, or repairs after a party gets out of hand. Poor choices often hit your wallet first.

2. Reputation and Relationships
If you’re known as the guy who gets wasted and breaks stuff, people remember. It might seem funny at 20, but by 30 or 40, a reputation for being reckless can cost you friendships, job opportunities, and trust. Rebuilding what’s been damaged isn’t easy.

3. Physical and Emotional Scars
Some choices leave marks that last longer than a hangover or a tattoo. Fights, accidents, or risky behavior can lead to injuries or even legal trouble. And the guilt or regret? That can linger for years, quietly affecting your confidence and peace of mind.

4. Lost Time and Missed Opportunities
Every hour spent dealing with the fallout from a bad decision is an hour you don’t get back. Whether it’s repairing relationships, paying off debt, or handling consequences, the time lost is often the most expensive part of all.

Why It Matters at Any Age
You don’t have to be 19 to make costly mistakes. Men in their 30s, 40s, 50s, and beyond face their own temptations - affairs, gambling, shady business deals, or just letting anger get out of control. The stakes only get higher as you get older: marriages, careers, and families are all at risk.

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The Solution: Living by the Spirit
So, what’s the answer? How do you avoid the high price of sin and start making choices you won’t regret?

The Bible offers a clear solution: live by the Spirit. When you let God’s Spirit guide your decisions, you start to see things differently. You gain self-control, wisdom, and the strength to say no to what will hurt you or others. Living by the Spirit means choosing integrity, kindness, and self-discipline - even when it’s tough.

Galatians 5:16 puts it simply: “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” In everyday terms, this means letting God’s guidance shape your actions instead of just following your impulses.

When you live by the Spirit, you’re not just avoiding the costly mistakes - you’re building a life marked by peace, purpose, and real satisfaction. You become the kind of man others respect and trust, and you set an example worth following.

So next time you’re tempted to take the easy way out, ask yourself: Is it worth the price? And remember, you don’t have to do it alone - God’s Spirit is ready to help you make choices that lead to life, not regret.