DEPART
FROM EVIL
Memorise:
For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from
evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 1 Peter 3:10
Read
1st Peter 3:10-13; Bible in one year: Luke 8:1-9:20; Job 23:14-24:8
Our
God is holy and His eyes cannot behold evil at all. Evil, which is a synonym
for sin, is a serious matter with God. It is so serious that God the father had
to forsake His Son Jesus when the sin of the whole world was put upon Him on
the cross of Calvary (Matthew 27:46). Therefore, one way you can prove your
love for God is by abstaining from all appearances of evil. God cannot stand
the sight of sin; Habakkuk 1:13 reveals that His eyes are too pure to behold
evil. Anyone that is truly born-again will hate sin with a passion. Your spirit
man would be grieved each time evil is practiced around you. Those who are true
children of God always distance themselves from immoralities such as
fornication, cigarette smoking, alcoholism, gambling, drug abuse, illegal
business, bribery, etc.
The
instruction to depart from evil, to avoid evil or flee from every appearance of
evil, is the best check against temptation of the Christian who is serious with
his or her Christian life. The moment you become comfortable in the company of
evil doers, something has gone wrong with your relationship with God. The
question is: what should you depart from? What appearances of evil should you
flee from? Usually these are things that may not be generally identified as
immorality or sin; they could be seemingly harmless suggestions of a friend or
a loved one. Whenever you are advised to do something capable of breaking your
relationship with God, such as attending night parties, doing something in the
company of smokers and drinkers, seeking solutions to a nagging problem from
questionable sources, these surely are appearances of evil. Brethren, be wise.
Christians who ignored this simple warning from the Lord in the past have paid
dearly for it. Many who are addicted to pornography today stumbled on nude
images on television or magazines years ago and didn’t flee. Some innocent kids
were invited to try smoking or alcohol some years ago and didn’t flee; today,
they are adults battling with how to do away with the habit. The availability
of mobile internet has made access to sin and immorality more affordable and
private. The honest truth is that Christians who got converted to God after
much interaction with the sinful world should avoid viewing commercials that
are related to their bad habits, going to beer parlours, clubs and parties.
They should avoid the company of an ex-boyfriend or ex-girlfriend. They should
keep away from polluted places. Above all, they must avoid anything or anyone
that is a source or negative influence.
Prayer
Point
Father,
please help me avoid everything you have helped me to overcome.
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