Abstain from All Appearance of Evil

Transcription

1 Bible Principles Our Children Must Learn Lesson 2 Abstain from All Appearance of Evil 1 Thessalonians 5:22, Abstain from all appearance of evil (KJV). What does evil look like? If someone asked you to describe what is evil, what would you say? While they might not ask directly, your children are listening for your answer. There are many things that most everyone would quickly classify as evil: murder, rape, robbery, etc. Of course, there are many more sins that God classifies as evil that men don t always view the same way such as adultery, homosexuality, and covetousness. There are still numerous other things that give an appearance of evil or have some connection to evil. Paul instructs us to have no part in any of these things. Abstain from all appearance of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22, KJV). It is important to note that Paul does not simply say to abstain from all evil, but he says to abstain from all appearance of evil. This indicates that the Christian s responsibility goes far beyond avoiding the big sins. Christians must steer clear of anything that looks like evil, is connected with evil, or leads to evil. We, as Christian parents, must teach this important lesson to our children. We know that the devil is going to try to attack our children in a number of ways. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). We teach our children how to recognize the physical dangers of life (look both ways; don t talk to strangers; stop, drop, and roll; etc.), but are we teaching our children to recognize the spiritual dangers of life? David describes the eternal significance of this lesson: Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell forevermore (Psalm 37:27). Corrupt affections indulged in the heart and evil practices allowed in the life will greatly tend to promote fatal errors in the mind; whereas purity of heart and integrity of life will dispose men to receive the truth in love. We should therefore abstain from evil, and all appearances of evil from sin, and that which looks like sin, leads to it and borders upon it. He who is not wary of the appearances of sin, who avoids not the temptations and approaches to sin, will not long abstain from the actual commission of sin. - Matthew Henry

2 Parents must teach their children that the Bible is the standard for discerning good and evil. How does a child learn the difference between right and wrong? Does he learn it from his parents? His parents tell him through their words and their example that certain things are right and certain things are wrong. Some kids grow up in homes where immodesty, swearing, and drinking are not considered as wrong. Does this make these things right? Does a child learn right and wrong from the society, from what the majority of people believe? Of course, things like homosexuality, abortion, and gambling are right in the eyes of society. Does he learn from his friends, the government, his teachers, or the entertainers of the day? Our children must learn that there is only one standard for determining what is right and wrong. God lays down the rules in His word, the Bible. In speaking about the word of God, Paul cites one of the benefits of the Scriptures: instruction in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible instructs us about what is right. Without God s word, how could man know the truth about right and wrong? Paul spoke of a great benefit of the law of Moses: it taught him what sin was (Romans 7:7). It is the responsibility of parents to teach our children this valuable lesson: God s word is the standard. Their own personal feelings or thoughts are not the standard. Paul felt he was doing what was right when he was persecuting Christians (Acts 23:1). It doesn t matter whether we think something is good or not. It also doesn t matter what others say about what is good or evil. Isaiah pronounced woe upon those who call evil good, and good evil (Isaiah 5:20). Just because some man says that something is okay, it doesn t mean that it is. Our children need to learn that even the law of the land is not the standard. Throughout history, governments have enacted standards which are contrary to the will of God. Shall the throne of iniquity, which devises evil by law, have fellowship with You (Psalm 94:20)? I want my daughter to understand that nothing but the word of God defines good and evil or right and wrong. Before we can teach our children to abstain from evil, we must make sure that they understand how they can know what is evil. Parents must teach their children how to RECOGNIZE sin. Can your child tell you what sin is? Do they have a proper understanding that sin occurs when men violate the will of God? Can they tell you examples of people in the Bible who committed sin? As they watch the television or observe human behavior in other settings, can they point out to you things that are wrong? I m not simply talking about children who are near the age of accountability, but I m talking about children who are not even in school yet. From an early age, our children need to learn how to recognize sin. A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished (Proverbs 22:3). A major goal for parents should be to teach their children how to be this prudent man to which Solomon refers. There are two characteristics given of this man: he foresees evil and he hides himself. We ll focus on the first characteristic now and look at the other one a little bit later. Our children need to learn how to foresee evil. They have to be able to recognize what sin is before they can hide themselves or abstain from it. To accomplish this task, it will require constant communication. The more a child is exposed to sin without having it pointed out as sin, the more likely it is that the child will grow up thinking that these actions are acceptable and alright. We shouldn t take for granted that our children know how to

3 recognize sin. We should have frequent discussions with our children about right and wrong. As we watch television and see people immodestly dressed, we should point it out to our children. When we see other young people throwing a fit in the grocery store or talking disrespectfully to their parents, we have an opportunity to teach. Remember, the home is the training ground. There is one more thing that I want you to consider about this point. It s simple to explain that murder is wrong, but what about other sins that are less obvious? It is these types of sins that our children need the most help to identify. Think about the following example. Sexual immorality is a sin. When our children reach an age where they understand the facts of life, it s probably pretty easy to explain to them that God forbids fornication and adultery. Yet, it might not be as easy for them to identify the sins that are associated with and often lead to sexual immorality. Our children need to know that lust is a sin. This is what Jesus was pointing out in the Sermon on the Mount (Mathew 5:27-30). Not only do our young people need to know about the dangers of lust, they need to understand the other things that are related to lust: immodesty, dancing, watching dirty movies and television, reading provocative books, listening to filthy music, mixed swimming, associating with immoral people, spending too much alone time with a member of the opposite sex, etc. Just telling our children to abstain from sex is not good Just telling our children to abstain from evil is not nearly enough! enough. When they first learn that these other things are wrong, it will help them to avoid the temptation of sexual immorality later on. Teach your children early how to recognize sin, so that they will be prepared to resist it. Parents must prepare their children to RESIST the temptation to sin. Once your child knows how to recognize sin, he must learn how to resist it. Knowledge is powerless unless it is backed with determination to use it. Many people have the knowledge, but few develop the willpower to resist sin. Consider the following characteristics that you need to teach your children so that they will be able to resist the temptation of sin. I. Fear God. a. Job 1:1, There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was blameless and upright, and one who feared God and shunned evil. b. Proverbs 3:7, Do not be wise in your own eyes; Fear the LORD and depart from evil. c. Proverbs 16:6, In mercy and truth atonement is provided for iniquity; and by the fear of the LORD one departs from evil. II. Be Prepared. a. 2 Chronicles 12:14, And he did evil, because he did not prepare his heart to seek the LORD. (Rehoboam) III. Learn Humility. a. Proverbs 14:16, A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is selfconfident. IV. Be Content. a. 1 Tim. 6:10, For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

4 V. Look to God. a. Matthew 6:13, And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. b. 2 Thess. 3:3, But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one. VI. Protect your heart. a. Luke 6:45, A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks. VII. Put on the armor of God. a. Ephesians 6:13, Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. VIII. Imitate what is good. a. 3 John 1:11, Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. IX. Flee and hide from sin. a. Proverbs 22:3 A prudent man foresees evil and hides himself, but the simple pass on and are punished. Parents teach these lessons through their words and their examples. Give your children a fighting chance against the roaring lion through equipping them with these weapons. Parents must allow their children to develop a strong RESOLVE against sin through spiritual exercise. A lot has been made of the lack of physical activity among the children of America. It is certainly true that our children are not getting a sufficient amount of exercise. They re more interested in video games than the outdoors. Comparatively, little has been said of the lack of spiritual exercise that our children receive. It is not enough for parents to teach their children to recognize sin. It is not even enough for parents to prepare their children to resist the temptation of sin. They must also allow them the opportunity to practice what they have been taught. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil (Hebrews 5:14). Consider this passage. Mature Christians are able to stomach the solid food of the word of God. They can handle the more difficult questions. How did they become full age or mature? They have exercised their senses to discern both good and evil. Spiritual exercise is not just for the mature Christian. It is also for the young person so that they can grow up into a full age Christian. Our children need to exercise spiritually. Parents must allow their children opportunities to put into practice the principles that they have learned. We can teach them what they need to know, but we can t make all the Ecclesiastes 11:9-10 Rejoice, O young man, in your youth, And let your heart cheer you in the days of your youth; Walk in the ways of your heart, And in the sight of your eyes; But know that for all these God will bring you into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from your heart, And put away evil from your flesh, For childhood and youth are vanity. decisions for them. Will a young person be ready to take on the world if his parents have made all of his decisions for him? There is a fine line between protecting our children and sheltering them. If we shelter our children from all exposure to evil, how will they ever know how to overcome it? We must

5 allow them the opportunity to face sin and even fail at times. It is through failure against sin that a resolve is born to overcome sin. It is vital that we allow our children to learn this lesson, to instill in them a resolve to fight against sin. No matter how old your child is, it is not too early to start. If they don t learn it early, it will be nearly impossible for them to learn it later. Listen to what Jeremiah has to say: Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard its spots? Then may you also do good who are accustomed to do evil (Jeremiah 13:23). Parents must teach their children not to surround themselves with evil. I have saved this point to the end, because I believe it is the most important lesson that young people need to learn. Later in this series, we will spend an entire lesson on this point. I believe that it is unnecessary to go into a long discussion about the incredible effect that friends have on children s lives, because we all can bear witness of that fact. However, young people often don t learn this lesson until it is too late to change. Consider the following passages and points that the Bible makes concerning this lesson. Exodus 23:2, You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice. 1 Corinthians 5:13, put away from yourselves the evil person. 2 Timothy 3:5, For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away! 1 Corinthians 15:33, Do not be deceived: Evil company corrupts good habits. Proverbs 4:14, Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. Proverbs 24:1, Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them. Habakkuk 1:13, You are of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness. The Israelites were led down a path toward their destruction because they were influenced by the nations around them. Think of the problems that Lot and his family faced because of his decision to live near Sodom. Jesus often warned his disciples about the leaven of the Pharisees. While parents can not pick their children s friends, parents have a great amount of influence on the type of people with which their children spend time. Even before your children start school, allow them the opportunity to spend time with children from strong Christian families. It is likely that many of these early friendships could end up being life-long bonds. Once they start school, a parent s job gets a little harder. Therefore parents must be even more diligent. Get to know your child s classmates and their parents. Invite their friends over so that you can know what type of kids they are. Continue to provide opportunities and encourage your children to spend time with Christian young people. As our children reach their teenage years, these principles become even more critical. You must know your children and communicate constantly with them. You must get to know their friends and what they re involved in. And you must still seek out opportunities for them to interact with other Christians.

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