Eschew Evil

March 31

We tend to think we’re pretty good, that God ought to be pleased with us. We compare ourselves to reprobate individuals and we think the light of our integrity and honor shine like beacons compared to their evil deeds that are done in secret places of the dark. And if God compared us to them, we’d be right.

But, He doesn’t. Psalm 50:17-21 says, “You hate instruction and cast My words behind you…you consent with a thief and interact with adulterers. You speak evil and your tongue frames deceit; you slander your own family…I have kept silence and you thought I approved, but I will bring you low… if you do not repent and walk rightly before Me, praising Me.

God does not wink at our indiscretions. He does not condone our dalliances with the ways of wickedness. He maintains a standard that is above reproach, and although He knows we cannot attain it while we live in a tabernacle of flesh, He expects that we strive toward it. He knows our human effort is futile so He sent His Son to cover our sin with His shed blood.

How blessed we are that the Father who condemns our proclivity to walk at the precipitous edge of sin has also said in Psalm 50:23, “Whoever offers praise glorifies Me and to him that orders his conversation aright will I show God’s salvation.” When we praise Jesus for His sacrifice and eschew evil, His blood cleanses us from sin.