When my oldest was just four years old, we went to church on a Wednesday evening and our pastor gave a message on patience in parenting.  I remember thinking (maybe pridefully) to myself that I was a pretty patient mother.  Well, as the Lord would have it, I guess I needed a bit of humbling.  Elizabeth and I got home and I was getting her ready for bed, and I noticed that many of her stuffed animals and toys were missing and discovered that she had thrown them down into the cold air return in the middle of her room which we had told her not to do.  I am not sure why, but this sparked incredible anger towards this little one who was learning to obey, and it brings tears to my eyes to think on it.  I was so angry I had to leave and take some time to regain my composure. After some time, I went back up to her room and apologized.  Elizabeth took my hand and lovingly said, “Mama, the Bible says that only a fool gives full vent to his anger and I guess you were pretty foolish.”  Whoa…the Lord used my sweet girl to humble me and you know what? She was right.  Proverbs 29:11 says, “A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”  

The root of this kind of anger is sinful pride where I ‘pitched a fit’ when I didn’t get I wanted, which in this case was a perfectly obedient child at the age of 4.  Hmmmm.  Romans 3:23 says, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”  I am part of the ‘ALL’ there and so are you.  However, Romans 8:1 says, “For there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”  By God’s grace, that describes me as well, and I hope describes you.  I still sin, but I am saved. I am no longer a sinner, I am a saved sinner, and there is a difference.  The old has gone and the new has come.

A few days ago, we looked at Romans 12:9 which says, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.  We focused on “let love be genuine.”  Today we will focus on “abhor what is evil.”  Abhor means to  despise, hate, detest, loathe, scorn, to regard with extreme repugnance or aversion; detest utterly; abominate.  Evil is described as something bad, corrupt, destructive, hateful, heinous, malicious, ugly, unpleasant, vicious, vile, villainous, wicked, a force in nature that governs and gives rise to wickedness and sin. (These definitions come from Webster’s Dictionary.)

Here is a list from scripture that describes the evil we ought to abhor.  2 Timothy 3:1-7 says, “In the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth.”

Jesus abhors the list of sins mentioned in 2 Timothy; a list describing all kinds of evil.  However, he did not avoid such people; He came and died for them, people just like you and me.  Jesus’ genuine love provides the solution to this list of evil, “in that while we were yet sinners, He died for us.” (Romans 5:8). For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) When our lives belong to Jesus we want to be like him, don’t we?.  Oh, may our love be genuine like Jesus’ love.  Oh, may we hate evil like Jesus does and be willing to give our lives standing up for what we know to be true.  Oh, may we hold fast to Jesus, who is all that is good. 

Blessings to you,

Heather

If you are unsure of what to do in the days in which we are living you can PRAY, trusting that the Lord is fighting and that you only have to be silent. (Exodus 14:14). The prayer of a righteous man availeth much. (James 5:16)  

When You Pray….

It’s the 4the Saturday of June.

Pray for:

1. Yourself….that your love would be genuine, that you would hate evil, and hold fast to what is good.  Pray that you would be fearless, be humble, pray & seek the Lord, turn from your sin, be found ready, trust the Lord that He is preparing a place for you, be salt & light to this broken world.
2. Your Spouse

Pray Psalm 18:2-3 over your spouse today.

 “I love you, O Lord, my strength. May You be my spouse’s rock, fortress, and deliverer. May my spouse take refuge in You.  May you be my spouse’s shield, horn of salvation, and stronghold.”

2. Your Children

Pray Colossians 3:23-24 over your children.

“Father, I pray that whatever my children do that they work heartily, as for You and not for men, knowing that from You, they will receive the inheritance as their reward. They are serving You.”

2. 4th Saturday – Businesses 

Pray for those that work at the businesses that you visit often; hairdresser, doctor, check out people at grocery store, financial planner, coffee shop barista, gas station owner, etc.  Get to know these people by name and let them know you are praying for them.  Remember that you are the light of the world.

Here is a good sermon that unpacks Romans 12:9 so well by Pastor John Piper. https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/abhor-what-is-evil-hold-fast-to-what-is-good#full-audio