Have you ever heard that someone sold their soul to the Devil?  Would you believe there's a biblical basis to that phrase?  Let's read 1 Kings 21: 1-26

1.  ELIJAH ACCUSES AHAB OF SELLING HIMSELF
     A.  This happened when Ahab took possession of Naboth's vineyard.
     B.  Did Ahab murder the man? No.   He didn't even order the man's death.
     C.  What did Ahab do?  He allowed his wife to "take care" of the problem.
     D.  After learning how the situation was "handled" he went ahead and took the land.

2.  WHAT DID AHAB SELL AWAY?
     A.  His dignity and honor for a piece of property.  He sinned against Naboth, his country and God his lack of respect for the law.
     B.  When people sin like that it's usually a result of a downward progression.  One mortgages their soul and makes payments, bit by bit, that lead to this degradation.

3.  1 KINGS 16: 30-33
     A.  Ahab, as king, continued the sins of Jeroboam.
     B.  Jeroboam did not want the Israelites going to Jerusalem to worship. Jerusalem was part of the Southern Kingdom, not his kingdom.  He established two centers of idol worship in his kingdom and had ex-priests to operate them.
     C.  What was Ahab's next payment on his soul?  He married a non-Israelite who worshipped the idols Baal and Asheroth.  He even worshipped at temples to these idols that he established! Interestingly, he tried to have God be a part of the other gods.
     D.  There can be challenges when a spouse does not have the same religious beliefs.  Read Psa 106:33-39.
1 Kings 11: 1-8.  Neh 13: 23-27.  But, there are examples of strong, devout spouses that are wonderful influences.
     E.  We need to make sure we don't compromise ourselves in whatever relationship we're a part of.
     F.  The downward spiral of Ahab was so severe he allowed a murder to happen in his own name just so he could have a place to plant his own vegetables!

4.  DO WE TRULY REALIZE THE POWER OF SIN?
     A.  So many treat it like a cookie - I'll only eat "just one."
     B.  It can be progressive - smart small and build up.
     C.  It can be a fetter that won't let you go - Pro 5:22, Rom 7:14, John 8:34.
     D.  So many simply don't care - "How much can I get away with?"  What can happen? Isa 50:1.  People simply don't profit from the sale.  A little pleasure, and then it's gone. Isa 52:1-3

5.  GOD WANTS US BACK
     A.  Isa 50:2
     B.  God paid the redemption price with the price of His own Son - Eph 1:7-8
     C.  Do we really understand the value that God places on you and me?  1 Pet 1: 18-19, Titus 2:14

If you've sold yourself into sin, won't you be washed with the blood of the Lamb?