Appearances of evil

From the very first book of the Bible, God warned Cain and by extension us that sin lies in wait for us. It paints a picture of a Lion on a hunt, lying in wait, ready to pounce on its prey. 

"If you do well, won't you be accepted? And if you don't do well, sin is lying in wait for you, ready to pounce; it's out to get you, you've got to master it." (Gen.4.7) 

And in the very next verse, we see Cain killing Abel his brother. He must have ignored the warning of the Lord in the previous verse. This is the more reason we must abstain from every appearance of evil. Because sin is lying in wait ready to trick or trip us. 

"Abstain from all appearance of evil". (1Thess.5.22) 

Does that then mean we should walk around like a scared Antelope in the forest of life? Or like a dog with its tail between its leg?  No! 

Right in the verse where God warned Cain, he also gave him the solution. The first one is to do well - and this goes beyond just actions, it starts from intent, from your thoughts. Because your thoughts become your actions. Think right thoughts even when the situation demands otherwise. And then verbalize those positive thoughts to reinforce them. 

Then it said you have to master it. What it means is that you have to become master over it, to have dominion, to rule over it. Abstinence then is to hold yourself off everything that appears as sin and refrain from it both in thoughts and in deeds. That way you will master it. You can do that because Christ has done this -overcome the world. 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world". (JOHN.16.33) 

Good day,
And have a great day today,
EmmA (aka Mr. Lift)
@Liftemma

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