“Fear the Lord and shun evil,” Proverbs 3:7 NIV. “Shun evil.” These are biblical words that seem archaic in modern church culture. A huge mistake we often make in dealing with evil is to focus on the host rather than the source. People can become so overcome by evil, they seem like evil personified, but the fountainhead of evil is Satan’s rebellion. This is critical to understand because even very good people can do evil things. It’s complicated, but a key to godliness is learning to shun sin, not the sinner; a mistake often made by sincere believers. The fear of God is a deathblow to evil. Godly fear is to respect and reverence Him above all else. It means to not hide from Him, rebel against Him, or revile Him. Godly fear is to love and obey God as Father and Lord. We are to hate the sin but love sinners, as God does. O LORD my Redeemer, deliver me from evil, and help me love You and others with Your Perfect Love.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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