Title: Avoid Appearances Of Evil
Memorize: Abstain from every form of evil. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: Psalm 34:12-14 (Nkjv)
[12] Who is the man who desires life, And loves many days, that he may see good?
[13] Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit.
[14] Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.
Message:
We live in a world where the truth is now seen as something which does not apply generally to everyone but is based on personal preferences or experiences. For example, when it comes to the truth, some people might say that one man’s food is another man’s poison, implying that there is no right or wrong; rather, it depends on an individual’s perception. However, I want to establish that anything that is not good is bad. Likewise, anything that is not right is totally wrong!
The key word in today’s memory verse is ‘appearances’, which refers to something that looks harmless but is actually harmful. An appearance of evil may be a piece of wrong advice from a friend or classmate. Whenever you are advised to do anything that is capable of negatively affecting your relationship with God, you should flee. For instance, if you are a girl and a boy keeps pestering you, saying that he wants to be your friend, there is more to his advances, and you need to be careful. You must also be careful if a member of the opposite sex always insists on talking to you alone in dark corners or behind closed doors.
My dear child, if you want to walk with God, you must avoid evil and all its appearances. Therefore, you must not be comfortable with being in the company of those who are ungodly.
Key Point:
Father, please give me the grace to recognize evil from a distance and avoid it at all times.
HYMN 55: CHRISTIAN, SEEK NOT YET REPOSE
1. Christian, Seek Not Yet Repose;
Hear Thy Guardian Angel Say,
“Thou Art In The Midst Of Foes:
Watch And Pray!”
2. Principalities And Powers,
Mustering Their Unseen Array,
Wait For Thy Unguarded Hours:
“Watch And Pray.”
3. Gird Thy Heavenly Armour On;
Wear It Every Night And Day
Ambush’d Lies The Evil One:
“Watch And Pray.”
4. Hear The Victors Who O’ercame;
Still They Mark Each Warrior’s Way;
All With One Sweet Voice Exclaim,
“Watch And Pray!”
5. Hear, Above All, Hear Thy Lord,
Him Thou Lovest To Obey;
Hide Within Thy Heart His Word:
“Watch And Pra!.”
6. Watch, As If On That Alone
Hung The Issue Of The Day;
Pray, That Help May Be Sent Down:
Watch And Pray.
Bible In One Year: Job 4:1-7:21 1 Corinthians 14:18-40
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye