WHAT TO AVOID- Open heavens devotional by Pastor E.A Adeboye

WHAT TO AVOID
TODAY: Saturday, January 23, 2010

MEMORIZE: “Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it” (Ps. 34:14) 

READ: Psalm 34: 12-14

One way you can prove your love for God is by abstaining from all appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22). Our Father is completely good and in Him is no evil. God cannot stand the sight of sin because Habakkuk 1: 13 says His eyes are too pure to behold evil. When our Lord Jesus Christ hung on the Cross of Calvary bearing the sins of the world, because of this divine quality, the Father turned His face from His Son and Jesus cried out: “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (Matt. 27:46). If you love God, you cannot stand the sight of sin. If you love God, your spirit man would be grieved each time evil is practiced around you. You cannot stand the sight of fornicators, liars or gamblers. You will not feel at ease in the company of the ungodly. If you feel comfortable in the company of evil doers, something has gone wrong with your love for God. If you are no longer grieved by the sins of sinners, then your love for God is questionable.

What are the appearances of evil that you should flee from? It could be seemingly harmless suggestions of a friend or loved one. Whenever you are advised to do something capable of breaking your relationship with God, for instance, when told to try fetish priests for the solution of nagging problems,  that is an appearance of evil. Take your leave (Psalm 1: 1-3). It could be during moments of leisure when you see or stumble on nude pictures on the television. If you do not flee, but think you are strong enough to handle it, within minutes, you could fall and would be the one searching for more of such scenes. In the same vein, when confronted with a compelling situation that is preset to cause you to sin like Joseph and Portiphar’s wife, flee (Gen. 39:7-12). If  you were a drunk before you became a believer in Christ, avoid watching beer commercials on television and going to beer parlours. Avoid being in the company of an ex-boyfriend  or ex-girlfriend alone. Avoid every negative thought of vengeance, strife, fraud, or immorality. Never give place to any sinful suggestion. If you do not want God to take His leave, keep away from polluted places. Any friend who continues to influence you to practice sin must be avoided. Any work place that does not give you space for righteous living and service of God must be shunned.

ACTION POINT: If you know what to avoid, and keep your distance from such things, you will struggle less with sin and your flesh. Ask for grace to avoid all you must avoid.