Christian Living
Proverbs 8:13 The reverent fear and worshipful awe of the Lord [includes] the hatred of evil; pride, arrogance, the evil way, and perverted and twisted speech I hate. (Quick Amplified Bible)
Have you ever been in the presence of family or friends enjoying each others company and fellowship in a social gathering and someone begins to use profanity? How do you react to such a thing? Are we suppose to correct them each time they speak such words? What if they consider themselves to be Christians?
Recently, I encountered such a situation and decided not to say a word and to continue with my input in the conversation. However, I have encountered the same situation before and responded a little differently. One time I was in a public rest room and an employee working in the rest room began to display his depreciation with another employee by cursing. I asked him why he needed to use those words to display his anger. I said that there is nothing wrong with being upset by the dispute, but that the Bible says that by your words you will be justified or condemned. He paused for a second and was taken back that a perfect stranger would say such a thing.
The above Proverb 8:13 tells us that if we truly revere the Lord, we will be mindful of every appearance of evil in our lives. Today, many so called Christians use profanity. Some tell dirty jokes ladened with sexual overtones as if it is nothing wrong with such language. Well, we are surrounded by such language all the time on television, in print, and just going about our daily lives as we encounter people in this world. The Holy Spirit will tell us how we should respond in each unique circumstance. How can we really and truly reverence God and not hate all evil?
Job 28:28 But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord--that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding. (Quick Amplified Bible)
God tells us of so many things that he hates in His word. His children must exhibit the same nature as their Heavenly Father.
Proverbs 6:16-19 These six things the Lord hates, indeed, seven are an abomination to Him: A proud look [the spirit that makes one overestimate himself and underestimate others], a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that manufactures wicked thoughts and plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies [even under oath], and he who sows discord among his brethren. (Quick Amplified Bible)
How do we exemplify our hate for evil in our fallen nature and in the fallen world we inhabit? First in ourselves, we must keep a short list of our sins before our Heavenly Father and be quick to confess to Him what He already knows.
1 John 1:9 If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just (true to His own nature and promises) and will forgive our sins [dismiss our lawlessness] and [continuously] cleanse us from all unrighteousness [everything not in conformity to His will in purpose, thought, and action]. (Quick Amplified Bible)
When we confess, we are agreeing with God that what we have done has offended Him and that it is wrong in His site and that we see it as wrong.
Psalm 139:23-24 Search me [thoroughly], O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there is any wicked or hurtful way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.
I pray Psalm's 139:23-24 every single day and I believe all Christians should do so. I try to always immediately confess and forsake what God the Holy Spirit brings to my attention and turn from that behavior.
I was asked by a person if I forced my faith in Christ on other people. I was also asked if I was so straight laced as to think a little profanity was so bad. My response was that I don't force Christ on any one. To force a person to accept Christ would be stupid, because it would not accomplish anything in their life unless they turned to Christ from their heart. There is no such thing as a little profanity. I was a slave to using profanity in my own life, before I met Christ, for over 30 years. I am sad when I hear people speak this way. I know now what it does to the heart of God.
Secondly, we must confront others in the body of Christ and also non-believers by speaking the truth to them in love and asking the Holy Spirit to convict them about any particular evil behavior. If we truly hate evil we will despise seeing our relatives and others being led into a false since of security. Evil behavior can never be trivialized, even if it is only words.
Psalm 119:128 Therefore I esteem as right all, yes, all Your precepts; I hate every false way.
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author, Silent Assassins of the Soul (not yet published; coming soon)
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