Depart And Abstain From The Appearance Of Evil

2023.10.29.Sermon.Depart from Evil. Abstain from the appearance of evil.

William Akehurst

Scriptures: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22, Proverbs 3:5-7, 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Proverbs 4:23-27, Matthew 12:34, 1 Thessalonians 2:4, Philippians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 8:9, Matthew 5:13-16, 2 Corinthians 6:17, Proverbs 23:7, Matthew 7:1-5, Ephesians 5:8-12, Romans 13:14, Romans 12:2, Psalms 119:9-11, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24

BIG IDEA: Halloween, people decorate with of skeletons, goblins, ghouls, witches, etc… Evil.

What are they allowing into their homes, minds, souls? What are they exposing themselves to? The Bible says to Depart from Evil, even the appearance of it. Guard your heart and mind in CHRIST JESUS.

I think about what we are seeing in Israel and the evil that has occurred. I want to make the statement clear, I stand with Israel. And yet all around the world, we are seeing people demonstrating and siding with the evil that occurred. It's hard to believe that even in our own country, there are demonstrations against the Jews in Israel and the world. We are seeing the uprise of evil, and as strange as it sounds, we can see the things happening in our world lining up with Scriptures. JESUS is coming soon! And people need to get right, now!

1 Thessalonians 5:12-24 (NKJV)

BE AT PEACE AMONG YOURSELVES

12 And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

WARN THE UNRULY

COMFORT AND UPHOLD THE WEAK

14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

DO NOT RETURN EVIL FOR EVIL, PURSUE GOOD

15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

NEVER STOP REJOICING IN THE LORD

16 Rejoice always,

BE IN CONSTANT COMMUNICATION WITH GOD

17 pray without ceasing,

NO MATTER WHAT YOU GO THROUGH, GIVE THANKS

18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

THE SPIRIT IS A FIRE WITHIN US, SHOWING, TEACHING, LEADING AND GUIDING. DO NOT THROW WATER ON THE FLAMES

19 Do not quench the Spirit.

GOD’S WORD IS TRUTH, AND STANDS THE TEST OF TIME AS WE SEE ANCIENT SCRIPTURES COMING TO LIFE IN THESE LAST HOURS.

20 Do not despise prophecies. 21 Test all things; hold fast what is good.

ABSTAIN, REFRAIN, HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH EVIL, EVEN IT’S APPEARANCE.

22 Abstain from every form of evil.

(KJV) Abstain from all appearance of evil.

SO MANY TIMES, WE ONLY LOOK AT VERSES 5-6, BUT TAKE IT ONE STEP FURTHER FOR MORE TRUTH.

Proverbs 3:5-7

5 Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

6 In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.

7 Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil.

DON’T LEAN ON OUR OWN UNDERSTANDING, DO NOT BE WISE IN YOUR OWN EYES.

FEAR GOD, REVERENCE HIM, AND UNDERSTAND THAT WE MUST BE SEPARATE FROM EVIL.

WALK WORTHY OF GOD

1 Thessalonians 2:12 (NKJV) that you would walk worthy of God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory.

GUARD YOUR HEART

Proverbs 4:23 (NLT) Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.

Proverbs 4:23-27 (NKJV)

23 Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.

GUARD YOUR MOUTH*

24 Put away from you a deceitful mouth, And put perverse lips far from you.

GUARD YOUR EYES

25 Let your eyes look straight ahead, And your eyelids look right before you.

GUARD YOUR STEPS, YOUR ACTIONS

26 Ponder the path of your feet, And let all your ways be established.

27 Do not turn to the right or the left; Remove your foot from evil.

BE SEPARATED FROM EVIL

*Matthew 12:34b …For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

*Proverbs 23:7 (NKJV) For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.

GOD TESTS YOUR HEART

1 Thessalonians 2:4 (NKJV) But as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, even so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who tests our hearts.

GOD’S PEACE WILL GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND

Philippians 4:7 (NKJV) and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

ABSTAIN FROM EVEN THE APPEARANCE OF EVIL. WE MUST BE CAREFUL NOT TO BE A STUMBLING BLOCK TO THOSE WHO ARE WATCHING US AS CHRISTIANS.

1 Corinthians 8:9 (NKJV) But beware lest somehow this liberty of yours become a stumbling block to those who are weak.