Be Holy As He Is Holy - January 26

Read 1 Thessalonians 5:22

Abstain from every form of evil.

Reflect

Prayerfully consider: are you allowing any form of evil in your life? What is it and what do you need to do about it?

When it comes to things we know are wrong, we tend to think we can dabble in it as long as we just don’t get carried away. We push the boundaries and keep going as long as we don’t get caught. We play with fire and think it’s fine as long as we don’t get burned. But the apostle Paul didn’t allow for dabbling, boundary pushing, or playing with fire. He told the Thessalonians to abstain from evil completely—evil in any form.

This wasn’t a new command. In fact, clear back in the book of Job, we find this nugget of wisdom: “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (Job 28:28). The book of Proverbs agreed that it is wise to turn from evil: “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away evil” (Proverbs 3:7).

But some people profess to be Christians while they live like pagans. It’s almost as if they think they can live however they want now that they have their “ticket to heaven.” Paul tackled that issue in Romans 6 when he wrote: “What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?” (v. 1-2). God’s grace, His undeserved favor and kindness towards us was meant to lead us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Repentance doesn’t just mean that we feel sorry about our sin and are remorseful. To truly repent means to turn away from our sin and turn to the Lord instead! It’s a complete about-face. A 180-degree turn.

The truth is, as Christians, we should have nothing to do with any kind of evil. We’ve been born again! We are new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). We are no longer children of darkness, but children of light (Ephesians 5:8). The apostle Peter reminded us: “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance, but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy’” (1 Peter 1:14-16).

Peter was quoting God’s law given back at the birth of the nation of Israel. God’s people have always been called to holiness. He has always intended for His people to be set apart and distinct from the other people around them. Even today, we are called to be sanctified and set apart for the Lord. That’s why we need our Helper, the Holy Spirit. “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16).

Brothers and sisters, we have to get serious about sin. We cannot tolerate it or put up with it in any form. Today, I urge you to pray and ask God to show you the sin that you’ve harbored and held on to. Ask God for help through His Holy Spirit to turn away from that sin and pursue holiness instead. You don’t have to do it on your own strength but you do have to do it. Remember, you are a new creation in Christ. You aren’t a slave to sin and death anymore! You are a child of God. You can live like one! As followers of Christ, let’s be holy as He is holy.

Respond

Lord, I want to be holy like You. But I confess that I still struggle with the desires of my flesh. Sanctify me. Change my heart. Make me more like You. Help me to abstain from evil of any kind, for Your glory and my good. Amen.

Reveal

When you refuse to participate in any kind of evil, it is a powerful testimony that you are not of this world, you belong to God.