Scripture Reading: 3 John 9-12
Do Not Imitate Evil
Intro.
1. The temptations to sin (to be like the world) are strong, but they can be overcome in Christ, 1 Cor. 10:13; Heb. 2:18; Jas. 1:12; 2 Pet. 2:9.
2. Worldliness: Given to the things of this world; System of evil in opposition to God, 1 Jno. 2:15.
a. Christ saves us from the world, Gal. 1:4; 6:14.
b. We are to put off the things of the world, Rom. 12:2; 1 Jno. 2:16-17.
3. What and who we choose to imitate will either keep us from evil or lead us into sin, Matt. 6:13.
I. DO NOT IMITATE EVIL.
A. Fleshly Lusts, 1 Pet. 2:11-12 (Gal. 5:19-21); 4:1-5.
-Means changing our hearts, Matt. 5:28; Rom. 12:2.
B. Popular Sins (“Everybody’s doing it”), Exo. 23:2 (1 Sam. 8:19-20).
1. Evil language, Eph. 4:29 (profanity, lying, gossip, euphemisms, etc.).
2. Drinking, Prov. 20:1; 23:29-32; 1 Pet. 4:3 (prohibition against the moderate, social use of alcohol; damages body and influence; impedes soberness and speeds loss of self-control).
3. Lasciviousness (Behavior: “unbridled lust, excess, licentiousness, lasciviousness, wantonness, outrageousness, shamelessness, insolence”), Rom. 13:13; 2 Pet. 2:18-19. (cf. Modern dancing, pre-marital foreplay, leads to fornication)
C. False Worship, Deut. 12:29-31 (Jno. 4:24).
1. Lip-service, Matt. 15:8 (“in spirit”).
2. Additions of men (“in truth”), Col. 2:20-23: Instrumental music in worship (Eph. 5:19); Lord's Supper (Lk. 22:17-19; Acts 20:7).
D. Worldly (Evil) Examples, Deut. 18:9 (Matt. 23:2-3).
1. Evil ways are learned by contact with sin, 1 Cor. 15:33 (Prov. 22:24-25).
2. Do not consent to be drawn into sin by evil examples, Psa. 1:1-2; Prov. 1:10.
II. IMITATE WHAT IS GOOD, 3 Jno. 11 (1 Cor. 11:1; Phil. 3:17; 1 Ths. 1:6-7).
-Who are your role models?
-Christ, His apostles, truth, Christians who are obeying truth.
Conclusion
1. Christians are under obligation to Christ to separate ourselves from worldly relationships, practices and influences, 2 Cor. 6:17; Eph. 5:11.
2. Do not imitate evil, 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Pet. 2:11. Abstain: “to hold one's self off” (Strong).
3. It can be done: "And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matt. 6:13); Jas. 1:12.
By: Joe R. Price
Posted: November 6, 2015