Archive for July, 2025
Pursuit of the Positive
“Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it” (I Peter 3:11).
When was the last time you heard someone use the word “eschew” in speaking? How many people do you know who know what it means? It means to shun; to avoid, as something wrong. That definition makes it clear as to what our attitude and action should be. Eschew evil!
Peace is a noteworthy replacement for evil. We are to “ensue” evil with peace. To ensue means to follow after. Linked the expressions mean after avoiding evil we should follow it by doing good.
This statement is a direct quote from Psalm 34:12-16: “Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.” Now that is easy to understand and essential to do.
Let him turn away from evil and do good. Doing good is often difficult because as a general rule, evil is rewarded immediately and the reward of doing good is often delayed. The reward for doing good is worth the wait.
This is good counsel for living together in harmony. Harmony is as important in our social lives as it is in a good choir. Voices in a choir are different from one another. They don’t all sing the same parts, but by all singing their parts they can sing together in harmony. In life our diversity necessitates harmony. When all live by the counsel of the above text there is harmony among the members. With Jesus as the choir master of life the harmony is inspiring.
If all eschew, that is, shun or avoid that which is wrong it opens the door of opportunity to follow with peace, that which is right. Such is often not instinctive, but must be determined to do. Therefore, it is necessary to attend “spiritual choir practice.”
In the Bible era there was a Greek word most commonly translated as “training” was “paideia” (???????), which can also be interpreted as “discipline” or “instruction” depending on the context. To know right from wrong requires “paideia,” the primary sources for such are the Bible, prayer, and public and private worship.
It is said that everyone carries around two buckets: a “bucket of gas” in one hand, and a “bucket of water” in the other. Whenever there is some “spark of evil”.
you have a choice as to which “bucket” you will use. Choose the bucket that will enable you to: “…eschew evil, and do good; …to seek peace, and ensue it.”
Set up your own “spiritual choir practice” conducted by Jesus. To start, make a list of things you can do to become more Christlike. Write them down and look at the list every morning for 40 days. Hopefully by then they will have become instinctive and you will have become more Christlike. You then can sing in harmony with Him.
The Devil You Say
There is a devil and he is on your trail. The reason you may not be aware of it is found in II Corinthians 11:14: “…Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” Often he doesn’t look like the devil or talk like the devil. He is a master of disguises. Employing this technique he often uses the good, the beautiful, in a bad way.
Where do you think the devil is? If you said hell you are wrong. He will be there, but that isn’t his habitat presently. He is going to eventually be thrown into hell and bound in chains, but he is still loose and at work,… full time on earth.
After tempted Job God asked him, as if He didn’t know where he had been. “And the Lord said to Satan, “From where do you come? So Satan answered the Lord and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it’” (Ephesians 6:11).
He doesn’t need to do all of the dirty work of his kingdom, he is well organized as indicated by the following: “Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6: 10- 13). Notice that word “wiles.”
When Lucifer, the devil, the guardian angel of God’s throne, rebelled he was cast out of heaven. With him were one-third of all angels who became known as fallen angels. He is a strategist. For him to engage in spiritual warfare he has arrayed his allies like a military force. We need not fear them, but defend against them.
Consider the devil’s assault forces. First there are “principalities” which translates the Greek “archon.” The title emerged in the time of Pericles. It was a reference to the most powerful leader in the land. Satan, of course, is the Commanding Officer. He has organized his demonic horde for spiritual warfare. An archon is the equivalent of a field general in charge of a certain operation. Principalities are very powerful and authoritative demons.
Next are “the “Rulers of Darkness of this age.” This is the translation of “Kosmokrator.” The word comes from two words combined. Kosmos means world or universe and Krator meaning ruler. These are the devil’s special forces. Their mission is to work on world rulers and important people in society..
“Spiritual wickedness in high places,” actually means “the spirits of evil in the heavenlies.” This is the massive horde of demons that is still working on all of us. This is the rank and file of demons that perpetually work on all believers.
Colossians 2:15 tells us that Jesus disarmed principalities and powers at the cross. Therefore, our victory is rooted in what Jesus did, not in what we do. It isn’t that there is no doing on our part – but our doing is the appropriation and application of what Jesus did.
You are to “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you” (James 4:7). This is the sure way to deal with his iniquitous influence and dastardly deeds. Don’t “…give place to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27).
The XYs vs. The XXs
“God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them” (Genesis 1:27).
“He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Mankind in the day they were created” (Genesis 5: 2).
Bottom line, when God created “mankind” He gave each male of the species an X and a Y chromosome, and the female two XX chromosomes.
Through the ages that has been the standard by which males and females have been differentiated.
You either agree or you don’t agree with that standard.
No amount of surgery or chemicals can change that, it is fixed at conception. However, in recent years some “smart” people have decided they know better than God and they can wisely alter the plan. A do-over is in order. NOT!
God’s law is an inviolably law, that is, sacrosanct.
Within the two sexes are certain biological laws that remain even after chemical or surgical attempts are made to change them. Call him a her (excuse the pronouns) he is still a he.
That is the reasoning why XY (men) should not compete against XX (females) regardless of what you call them or how you dress them. It is unfair to the XXs. They are at a decided disadvantage.
It is not very masculine for a XY (male) to want to compete against an XX (female). Such a male should be ashamed to use his inherited advantages unfairly.
God got it right and it is still His immutable, hard-and-fast standard. To argue otherwise is to insist God made a mistake. Both sexes are intrinsically equal before their Maker and entitled to be respected as such. Long live the truth “God made me and God don’t make no junk.” Or, if you prefer, “He don’t make no mistakes.”
Even if a person doesn’t include God in this reality, or that they don’t even believe there is a God the laws quoted are the same. They are still inherent laws, fixed and final.
Sports is but one battleground on which the war on women is being waged. The title “mother” is no longer appropriate. They are now “the inseminated one,” or “the birthing one.”
Look it up in a dictionary and you will find a woman is “one with ovum who can give birth.” No male can compete with her on that. Give her the honor due her sex, make that, her seXX.
Don’t Look Back, Look Up
“Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle, which all concern things which perish with the using—according to the commandments and doctrines of men? These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh” Colossians 2: 20 – 23.
False humility is addressed in this passage. Believers are depicted as dying with Christ, that is, they having been born again are spiritually dead in regard to their old sinful lifestyle.
That being true, why engage in practices of the old self. The “regulations” are noted as things of the flesh. Such self-discipline gives the appearance of piety, but as a show-and-tell lifestyle apart from the Lord salvation by works.
Such a legalistic lifestyle is identified by a list of does and don’ts instead of being identified with Jesus, the “Head” (Vs. 19).
The second characteristic of such an elitist attitude is their worship of angels. They professed they are unworthy to worship God personally so they worship His angels. False humility often leads to spiritual misconduct.
The instruction is to avoid empty pious lifestyles and engage in a truly humble lifestyle genuinely devoted to Jesus. Colonies of Christians developed around the Mediterranean basis. Foremost among these were the Christians in Rome who were castigated. They were accused of cannibalism because of Jesus saying “this is my body and blood.” His command to love one another was interpreted as being devious. Those misconceptions along with Christianity outgrowing the number of those who worshiped false Roman gods put them in disfavor with Nero.
They were accused of being responsible for the outbreak of the Great Fire of Rome, which began on the night of July 18, 64 AD near the Roman Forum. The fire raged for six days. Nero saw in it the occasion to blame the Christians and savage those in Rome.
Nero’s persecution of Christians following the fire was brutal and infamous. Some Christians were covered in animal skins and torn apart by dogs, while others were crucified or burned alive. Some were made living torches, setting them on fire to illuminate his gardens at night. This gruesome spectacle, while brutal, also served to further vilify the Christians in the eyes of the Roman public, portraying them as dangerous and subversive. Yet, the faithful response of believers resulted in the spread of the faith.
Now go back and reread the opening paragraphs of this to see the charge given in spite of such adversity. Add to it the following.
“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service” (Romans 12: 1).
Virtue’s Victory
Benjamin Franklin shared much wisdom through his extensive writing. Among his treasured truths are thirteen virtues he considered necessary or desirable. Our culture would do well to emulate them. They are as follows with his brief note regarding each.
1. Temperance. Eat not to dullness, drink not to elevation.
2. Silence. Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself, avoid trifling conversation.
3. Order. Let all your things have their place; let each part of your business have its time.
4. Resolution. Resolve to perform what you ought; perform without fail what you resolve.
5. Frugality. Make no expense but to do good for others or yourself; i.e., waste nothing.
6. Industry. Lose no time, be always employed in something useful; cut off all unnecessary actions.
7. Sincerity. Use no hurtful deceit; think innocently and justly, and, if you speak, speak accordingly.
8. Justice. Wrong none by doing injuries, or omitting the benefits that are your duty.
9. Moderation. Avoid extremes; forebear resenting injuries so much as you think they deserve.
10. Tolerate no uncleanliness in body, clothes, or habitation.
11. Tranquility. Be not disturbed by trifles, or at accidents common or unavoidable.
12. Chastity. Rarely use venery but for health or offspring, never to dullness, weakness, or injury to your own or another’s peace or reputation.
13. Humility. Imitate Jesus and Socrates.
Franklin didn’t leave anything to chance in his attempt to master the thirteen virtues. He devised a “method” to expunge each bad habit one week at a time, and he recorded his progress in a “little book.” Even when traveling he carried the little book with him.
His English might be awkward, but the virtues are clear. Consider writing your own book of virtues. What things are you intransigent on, things that guard your emotions and guide your many decisions .
To Franklin morality and success were inseparable. He thought they were a means of making one happier. He was right on both points.
It takes a constant effort to rid ourselves of unpleasant or bad habits and no less effort to develop good and beneficial habits. Constant efforts regarding both are worthwhile. This is true in every aspect of life, cardiovascular health, nutritional health, and ever personal relations. You have a responsibility for you like no one else. Don’t neglect yourself.
Of all disciplines one of the most challenging is self-discipline. A progression including it is found in Scripture.
“But also for this very reason, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love” (II Peter 1:5-9).
There, like the crown jewel in the middle of those virtues is self-control. In the Bible, self-control is a virtue that involves regulating thoughts, words, actions, and desires. It’s also known as “self-discipline” or “temperance” (Proverbs 25:28). Note, self-control is linked with perseverance. It is one thing to have self-control, but that control must remain engaged in the activation of perseverance. Without perseverance the objective can’t be reached.
The Bible also gives a graphic of self-control: “A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls” ( Proverbs 25:28).
Be a wall builder that your virtues may be sustained.