Irreproachable Witness

eDevotion

Encouragement for your daily walk with God 

It seems to me, sometimes, that people try to see just how close they can get to sin without doing anything wrong. The Apostle Paul challenged early Christ followers to not live that way. Not only did he tell them to keep from committing the “big” sins, but he also told them to refrain from anything that may lead to sin, or look like sin to others. His desire was to make our Christian witness irreproachable. For Paul, sin was nothing to be played with or ignored. It must be avoided at all costs. 

While I know it’s easier said than done, the best approach to sin is to abstain at the beginning. It’s easier to snuff out a flickering candle than a raging forest fire!

Here is a little pastoral advice this morning: Avoid all appearance of evil. And for sure, don’t be quick to judge the besetting sins of others while defending your own. All sin is unacceptable to God and should never be downplayed. In either case, whether a sin is public and discernible, or private and indiscernible, it must be intentionally avoided and fought. 

When you turn your back to sin, and turn your heart and mind to the Lord, you will live above reproach and bring glory to God.  

Abstain from all appearances of evil. 1Thessalonians 5:22