jaboyle100
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- Aug 1, 2019
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1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, Abstain from all appearance of evil (shrink from it and keep aloof from it) in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. Let's take a moment and look at the definition of "Abstain." Abstain means to "choose" not to do or have something: to refrain "deliberately" and often with an effort of self-denial from an action or practice. Now let's look at the definition of "Evil." Evil means that which is morally wrong, sinful, or wicked. Anything that contradicts the holy nature of God is evil.
When we abstain from evil, we are choosing to stay away from anything morally wrong or sinful. God forgave us all our sins the moment we put our faith in Jesus and what He did for us at the cross. Why would we still want to hang out with anything sinful? So, how can we stay away from evil when it's all around us? We wear God's armor everywhere we go and that means in our own homes as well. Ephesians 6:12-16-For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
God calls us to a holy lifestyle. 1 Peter 1:16-For it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." We are to avoid things that are evil or sinful. We are His "set-apart" people. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God Himself lives within our spirit. He is pure and holy. He does not want to participate in anything evil. If you "choose" to watch anything that has a sinful appearance, if you "choose" to listen to anything that has a sinful appearance, or if you "choose" to behave in a sinful way; the Holy Spirit cannot help you live a holy life. He will never leave you, but His help will stop while you "choose" to sin.
Theses are some of the verses I found in the Bible pertaining to evil.
1 Corinthians 13:6-Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 John 5:19-We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
2 Timothy 2:22-Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
John 3:20-Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
Proverbs 3:7-Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Proverbs 8:13-To fear (respect) the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Psalm 37:9-For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Romans 6:12-Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Romans 12:21-Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Mark 7:21-22-For it is within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.
James 1:13-14-When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me," For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Proverbs 16:17-The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
More verses pertaining to evil. Wow! I never realized how many! When you have time, look up the rest of these verses. They will bless you:
Psalm 121:7-8 Psalm 34:13 1 Timothy 6:10 Zechariah 1:4
Matthew 6 :13 James 1:21 1 Corinthians 15:33 Proverbs 4:27
Psalm 97:10 Daniel 2:22 Psalm 119:133 Matthew 5:11
Proverbs 10:21 Hebrews 3:12 Psalm 34:16
Romans 16:17 John 17:15 Ecclesiastes 12:1
Zechariah 7:9-10 1 Peter 3:13 John 15:3
Genesis 50:20 Psalm 34:14 1 Peter 2:16
Romans 12:9 Isaiah 1:16 Proverbs 12:20
1Thessalonians 5:15 2 Timothy 4:18 Luke 6:22
Ephesians 4:26-27 1 John 1:9 1 Peter 3:12
Now, let's look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23 which says, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through (that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged- consecrated to Him-set apart for His purpose); and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and (be found) blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we study God's Word and gain knowledge pertaining to evil, we are able to learn how to see evil through the eyes of God. As we plant these verses in our hearts, the Holy Spirit will help us abstain from evil. We must "choose" to abstain from evil if we want the sanctifying process to continue. Those who "choose" to walk away from anything evil are the ones who welcome the sanctification process. And these are the ones who discover God's perfect will for their lives. Sanctification is a life-long process, but once God reveals His perfect will for your life, uniquely designed just for you; you will want to be holy.
Lord, give us the desire to study your Word and gain knowledge in the area of evil. We must learn to recognize evil as You see it in order to walk away from it. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Love in Christ,
Jan
When we abstain from evil, we are choosing to stay away from anything morally wrong or sinful. God forgave us all our sins the moment we put our faith in Jesus and what He did for us at the cross. Why would we still want to hang out with anything sinful? So, how can we stay away from evil when it's all around us? We wear God's armor everywhere we go and that means in our own homes as well. Ephesians 6:12-16-For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
God calls us to a holy lifestyle. 1 Peter 1:16-For it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." We are to avoid things that are evil or sinful. We are His "set-apart" people. The Holy Spirit, the Spirit of God Himself lives within our spirit. He is pure and holy. He does not want to participate in anything evil. If you "choose" to watch anything that has a sinful appearance, if you "choose" to listen to anything that has a sinful appearance, or if you "choose" to behave in a sinful way; the Holy Spirit cannot help you live a holy life. He will never leave you, but His help will stop while you "choose" to sin.
Theses are some of the verses I found in the Bible pertaining to evil.
1 Corinthians 13:6-Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
1 John 5:19-We know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.
2 Timothy 2:22-Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
John 3:20-Everyone who does evil hates the light and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
Proverbs 3:7-Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil.
Proverbs 8:13-To fear (respect) the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.
Psalm 37:9-For those who are evil will be destroyed, but those who hope in the Lord will inherit the land.
Romans 6:12-Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Romans 12:21-Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Mark 7:21-22-For it is within, out of a person's heart, that evil thoughts come-sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance, and folly.
James 1:13-14-When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me," For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed.
Proverbs 16:17-The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives.
More verses pertaining to evil. Wow! I never realized how many! When you have time, look up the rest of these verses. They will bless you:
Psalm 121:7-8 Psalm 34:13 1 Timothy 6:10 Zechariah 1:4
Matthew 6 :13 James 1:21 1 Corinthians 15:33 Proverbs 4:27
Psalm 97:10 Daniel 2:22 Psalm 119:133 Matthew 5:11
Proverbs 10:21 Hebrews 3:12 Psalm 34:16
Romans 16:17 John 17:15 Ecclesiastes 12:1
Zechariah 7:9-10 1 Peter 3:13 John 15:3
Genesis 50:20 Psalm 34:14 1 Peter 2:16
Romans 12:9 Isaiah 1:16 Proverbs 12:20
1Thessalonians 5:15 2 Timothy 4:18 Luke 6:22
Ephesians 4:26-27 1 John 1:9 1 Peter 3:12
Now, let's look at 1 Thessalonians 5:23 which says, Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you through and through (that is, separate you from profane and vulgar things, make you pure and whole and undamaged- consecrated to Him-set apart for His purpose); and may your spirit and soul and body be kept complete and (be found) blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. As we study God's Word and gain knowledge pertaining to evil, we are able to learn how to see evil through the eyes of God. As we plant these verses in our hearts, the Holy Spirit will help us abstain from evil. We must "choose" to abstain from evil if we want the sanctifying process to continue. Those who "choose" to walk away from anything evil are the ones who welcome the sanctification process. And these are the ones who discover God's perfect will for their lives. Sanctification is a life-long process, but once God reveals His perfect will for your life, uniquely designed just for you; you will want to be holy.
Lord, give us the desire to study your Word and gain knowledge in the area of evil. We must learn to recognize evil as You see it in order to walk away from it. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
Love in Christ,
Jan
