TURN AWAY FROM EVIL
Introduction:
Last week we began to talk about the importance and power of our choices
- Deut 30:19 (ESV) – 19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live,
- We talked about how we have a choice as to whether we will be an honourable vessel or a dishonourable one
- Joshua 24:15 (ESV) – 15 And if it is evil in your eyes to serve the Lord, choose this day whom you will serve… But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
Let’s go back into 2 Timothy where we finished up last week to continue talking about #ChoosingLife
2 Timothy 2:19-22 NLT – 19 But God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” 20 In a wealthy home some utensils are made of gold and silver, and some are made of wood and clay. The expensive utensils are used for special occasions, and the cheap ones are for everyday use. 21 If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work. 22 Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts.
Again, we have a choice as to the type of vessel we will be… we can be an honourable one or a dishonourable one. It’s our choice.
What are the key factors in making this choice?
Vs. 19b – All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil
- As apprentices of Jesus, and those committed to being honourable vessels, we are called to TURN AWAY from evil
Ephesians 5:11 (NIV) – Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
Ephesians 5:3-8 (NIV) – 3 But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. 4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.[a] 6 Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light
We live in a culture right now that in so many ways celebrates sin and evil. ‘
- Isaiah 5:20 (NIV) – Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!
- People don’t do it purposely. They are deceived.
- Nevertheless, we have to draw a line in the sand that says “I belong to Jesus” and I TURN AWAY from sin!
Romans 12:1-2 (NLT) – I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
TPT – Beloved friends, what should be our proper response to God’s marvelous mercies? I encourage you to surrender yourselves to God to be his sacred, living sacrifices. And live in holiness, experiencing all that delights his heart. For this becomes your genuine expression of worship. 2 Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.
- Footnote “Don’t be squeezed into the mold of this present age.”
Vs. 22 – Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts
- Don’t play games with sin… RUN from it.
- 1 Cor 6:18 (NIV) – 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually, sins against their own body.
- 1 Cor 10:14 (NIV) – 14 Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.
- 1 Timothy 6:11 (NIV) – 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.
Definition of Flee (Websters Dictionary)
- To run with rapidity
- To depart, to leave, to hasten away
- To avoid, to keep a distance from
Flee in the Original Language – Pheugo
- To run away
- To shun or avoid something abhorrent
- To escape safely out of danger
- Poetically, to flee away, to vanish
We Have 3 Options:
- Run to Sin
- Pretend to Run from Sin
- Run from Sin
Vs. 22 – Pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, peace
The Key: if we pursue the heart and things of God we will be automatically running from sin
Vs. 22 – Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts
- One final note: those who are in your inner circle will make a huge difference
- Show me your company and I will show you your character
- Luke 9:62 – 62 Jesus said to him, “No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.”
This is not about ’trying harder’ or about legalism… it’s about growing in our love for Jesus and there is a grace from God for freedom and holiness and purity.
brendan witton.com 