Sin destroys ideals through a tragic process. At first we regard sin with horror, and the conscience reacts strongly against it. A man who had been a lifelong vegetarian tried eating meat, which is permissible, and was so emotionally overwrought that he vomited, because his mind still reacted as if the act were evil. The same mechanism works in reverse with real sin. If we keep committing it, we remain uneasy and unhappy for a time, but the conscience gradually adjusts. Each sin makes the next a bit easier, until the conduct becomes entirely acceptable and we sin without a qualm. Sin is addictive like a drug, and as the addiction strengthens, the ideal depreciates until it is completely gone. The wealthy young man of Mark 10:17-24 shows this. He greatly desired eternal life and asked Jesus what to do to obtain it. When Christ told him to get rid of all he had, his high ideals came crashing down, because his sin was stronger than his ideals. His covetousness destroyed them, and he was willing to settle for less. Jesus then remarked how hard it is for those who trust in riches to enter the Kingdom of God.