What if God offered a report card on the state of your heart? In Revelation 2 and 3, Jesus evaluates seven churches, praising them when He can, but also pointing out weaknesses: “You have lost your first love… You are lukewarm….” Job likewise received a “report card” but he got perfect grades. Twice God says the same thing about Job: “He is a man of perfect integrity, who fears God and turns away from evil” Job 1:8; 2:3.
I want perfect integrity. But do I fear God and turn from evil? The internet and cell phones have made turning from evil harder than ever. Most believers do turn away. But we turn away EVENTUALLY. Right? Sometimes I read an article, I find out about the new movie or the song with the filthy lyrics that won some award—and I read the lyrics and have a conversation, and complain about the state of pop culture and what we are doing to the children. Then eventually, maybe after the topic has become boring, I finally TURN AWAY FROM EVIL.
Do you struggle to balance the desire to know what’s going on in the world with the desire to keep your mind and heart pure? Finding that balance can be a struggle, particularly for parents and teachers, because we invest so much energy in caring for children while so many aspects of youth culture seem harmful to children.
Let’s take a tip from the words God used to praise Job:
“HE IS A MAN OF PERFECT INTEGRITY, WHO FEARS GOD AND TURNS AWAY FROM EVIL” Job 1:8.
God commended this man who turned away from evil. Paul adds, “It is shameful TO EVEN MENTION what the disobedient do in secret….” Ephesians 5:12. We should EXPOSE the deeds of darkness (5:11). But we must watch ourselves. Are we turning away? Can we expose wrong while having NOTHING TO DO with the darkness? Most importantly, are we being led by the fear of God?
Let’s be like Job: fear God and turn away.
Let’s spend less time “researching” evil and more time turning away from evil.
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Household Words: 