Tag: evil

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Are You Imitating Good or Evil?

Are You Imitating Good or Evil?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those believers who know that whoever does good is from God. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Think of some good things people can do: helping others in need; encouraging others; or coming alongside a struggling brother or sister. All these can be acts of kindness and affirmation of others.

The author of 3 John 1:11 (ESV), writing to believers, says,

“Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God.”

How do your actions align with this verse? Do you have the inclination to do the work of the Lord? Do you run from doing evil.

Perhaps it is time to have a “Come to Jesus” moment. Is it time to dedicate or rededicate your life to Jesus?

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Tempted to Envy Evildoers?

Tempted to Envy Evildoers?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who might be tempted to envy and associate with evildoers.

Criminals can develop a reputation.

Some misguided individuals will actually idolize these bad people.

I once knew a man who had been an undercover police officer. His job was to aid in the arrest and conviction of criminals.

Proverbs 24:1-2 (ESV) warns against envying and even wanting to “hang out” evil ones.

“Be not envious of evil men,
nor desire to be with them,
for their hearts devise violence,
and their lips talk of trouble.”

Don’t envy evil ones and stay away from them. If are in proximity to someone who is evil, take action to flee.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Six Things the Lord Hates and Seven That Are an Abomination!

Six Things the Lord Hates and Seven That Are an Abomination!

Dear Lord, I pray for the wisdom to be able to avoid the six things that you hate, and the seven that are an abomination to you. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God makes his boundaries clear, so we know what he considers offensive behavior.

Proverbs 6:16-19 (ESV) is more than just about the things the Lord hates.

“There are six things that the Lord hates,
seven that are an abomination to him:
haughty eyes, a lying tongue,
and hands that shed innocent blood,
a heart that devises wicked plans,
feet that make haste to run to evil,
a false witness who breathes out lies,
and one who sows discord among brothers.”

The list is very straight forward. Either a person will avoid these things, or he or she will carry out the things God hates.

Run from the things the Lord hates.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Do Not Enter the Path of the Wicked!

Do Not Enter the Path of the Wicked!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who do not enter the path of the wicked. In Jesus’ name, amen.

King Solomon has warnings for those who are not wise.

Proverbs 4:10-19 (ESV) is about those who hold on to wisdom and instruction, and, in contrast, those who enter the path of the wicked.

“Hear, my son, and accept my words,
that the years of your life may be many.
I have taught you the way of wisdom;
I have led you in the paths of uprightness.
When you walk, your step will not be hampered,
and if you run, you will not stumble.
Keep hold of instruction; do not let go;
guard her, for she is your life.
Do not enter the path of the wicked,
and do not walk in the way of the evil.
Avoid it; do not go on it;
turn away from it and pass on.
For they cannot sleep unless they have done wrong;
they are robbed of sleep unless they have made someone stumble.
For they eat the bread of wickedness
and drink the wine of violence.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn,
which shines brighter and brighter until full day.
The way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know over what they stumble.”

Do not even think of following the way of the wicked. God can provide a way of escape. Pray. Ask God to make his direction clear.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Delivered From the Way of Evil!

Delivered From the Way of Evil!

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who you will deliver from the way of evil. In Jesus’ name, amen.

God provides Scripture to guide and direct his followers. Take heed of Solomon’s God-inspired messages.

Proverbs 2:6-15 is about how the Lord giving wisdom.

“For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.”

Allow God to speak to you through Scripture. Stay away from those who rejoice in doing evil. These people are identifiable by the traits described in these verses.

Pursue God.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.

Categories
Wisdom Prayer

Deliver and Guard Me?

Deliver and Guard Me?

Dear Lord, I pray for wisdom for those who wish to be delivered from evil and violent people. In Jesus’ name, amen.

When the wicked seem to thrive, realize we are in a spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.”

In Psalm 140:1-8 (ESV), the psalmist’s cry is to be delivered and guarded from evil and violent men.

“Deliver me, O Lord, from evil men;
preserve me from violent men,
who plan evil things in their heart
and stir up wars continually.
They make their tongue sharp as a serpent’s,
and under their lips is the venom of asps. Selah

Guard me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked;
preserve me from violent men,
who have planned to trip up my feet.
The arrogant have hidden a trap for me,
and with cords they have spread a net;
beside the way they have set snares for me. Selah

I say to the Lord, You are my God;
give ear to the voice of my pleas for mercy, O Lord!
O Lord, my Lord, the strength of my salvation,
you have covered my head in the day of battle.
Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked;
do not further their evil plot, or they will be exalted! Selah”

Are you in a conflict with a wicked person or persons? Take action. Realize the spiritual battle rages. Listen to God’s leading. Not only is it a time for prayer, it is a time to get the help of others to pray and to help you take action.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.