Focus: 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22 - KJV
21. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. 22. Abstain from all appearance of evil.
Ephesians 5:10-13
There are always two sides to a coin, just like there are two sides to every story. Both sides may appear on the surface as true, but if due diligence is employed and there is a thorough probing, the dark side in one of the stories would show. The standard of God for us is to always ensure we extract that which is good in every transaction and uphold it. What then is good? Whatever will not cause pain to a fellow being unjustly, is good. Even if it appears good to cuddle the opposite sex in a greeting, in the final analysis it will be evil if done in the presence of the spouse, as the spouse definitely would not approve, even if he pretends to. It is an appearance of evil to do so. We are enjoined to flee such. If in the open you could do that without inhibition or remorse, what happens if someday you find yourselves in some seclusion together alone? Are you able to overcome the temptation to take the act a notch further?
In the days of king Solomon, two ladies slept in a room with their respective babies. The one accidentally suffocated her baby to death. Before the other awoke, she realized it and swapped the babies. There was contention as to who the mother of the dead baby was. The king was called to adjudicate: each story sounded right, but definitely both could not be correct. Hence, the king proved by probing wisely and brought out the dark side in one of the stories. Some others would have listened to the first story teller and cause a miscarriage of justice thereby. In one of the church meetings somewhere, a married man met a married lady at the corridor in the presence of witnesses and they both kissed on the mouth, in fact, tonguely. To dissuade the thoughts of observers they said it was holy kiss like Paul directed. Some of the young lads who observed it never returned to Church.
Beloved, socialization is subtly introducing evil amongst the brethren: let us not be identified with it. Instead, let us obey the injunction of our God to flee every resemblance of evil. As much as it resembles evil, we must not be named in it. “Oh no, but he is my friend’s husband”. And so? There are others whose faith cannot carry them through such and our action can succeed in driving them far from the Kingdom. Anyone who cuddles the wife of another shall not be blameless is the position of the Bible. It is not only about cuddling, but everything that appears like evil: swearing, coax jesting, unwholesome dancing, evil talk, stylish stealing, approving evil deed indirectly and the list goes on. Whatsoever God does not approve, must not be in our practice.
SOLUTION: As you go about your day, ensure that you judge no one and if you must do anything, first ensure that it will end up adjudged good, before doing it. Whatever seems like evil, don’t even go near it: run away from afar off.
Please pray: My father and my God, I seek from you a heart to wisely discern the good from the evil at every point in time. As you give this to me, help me by your Spirit to always settle for the good, in Jesus’ name. Do give me the agility to flee when evil glares me in the face in Jesus’ name.
If you are blessed by this post, kindly share with your contacts, as well as others, that they may be blessed also. Thank you and may God bless you abundantly as you do so, in Jesus’ name.
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