Shunning Sin
Whenever we move in one direction, we are necessarily, at
the same time, moving away from its opposite. If you're
flying East, you're flying away from the West. When
you're on the escalator, and heading up to the second floor,
you're leaving the first floor. On the sleigh on the way
to Grandmother's house, you're leaving your house while
going toward hers.
When we truly delight in the Lord, what is the opposite?
What are we moving away from? Although it is good that
we lead off with the positive, we must ask, what is the
opposite of "delighting in the Lord"? That's what I want
to talk with you about today, and strongly insist, that
moving toward the Lord, involves intentionally moving
away from something else. So, what is the opposite of
"delight"? It is "shun". In turning to God, there is a
turning away from evil. It must be stressed, that even
though we say that Christianity is not a compilation of
moral taboos, it is, nevertheless, a life with moral
expectations.
"Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind
of evil." (I Thess. 5:22)
"Abhor that which is evil, cleave to that which is good."
(Romans 12:9)
What does "shunning" mean?
The Greek word for "shun" (periistemi) is to "step out of
the way of", or "stand away from." The dictionary
meaning is, "To avoid deliberately, especially as a
practice - to keep clear of."
Too often, when we think of "shunning", we immediately
think that we are to stay away from a person who has
abandoned the faith, or who in some way has brought
injury to the church. We can find some good Bible texts
to back up this practice, although we must also note that
many Christian groups have seriously misunderstood and
abused these Scriptures. Historic groups like the Amish,
and modern cults like Jehovah Witnesses have used
"shunning" as a way to force members into conformity
under the threat of social isolation if they refuse. However,
we're not talking about shunning people, but shunning evil.
Three times this idea comes through strongly:
1) Shun idolatry - I Corinthians 10: 14
2) Shun (flee) immorality - I Corinthians 6:18
3) Shun godless chatter - II Timothy 2:16ff
In other words, stay away, don't walk there, don't
participate in these activities.
But also note Proverbs 4:15,15
"Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the
way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from
it and go on your way."
What are we to do?
1) First, we must become morally aware.
2) Examine ourselves when we identify the wrong in others.
3) Pray often the prayer of confession.
4) Recognize that there are some places we cannot go, and
some people with whom we cannot associate.
5) When there's talk of doing something which is wrong,
take a stand.
Psalm 1 "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the
counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit
in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of
the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. He
is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields
its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers. Not so the wicked! They are
like chaff that the wind blows away. Therefore the wicked
will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly
of the righteous. For the LORD watches over the way of the
righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish."
What we're saying here is, "You CAN'T run with the devil and walk throught the Promised Land!!" I ask that if you have not made the decision to "delight" in the law of the Lord, take this day to at least think about where you want to "live?"
If you need assurance; Jesus promises, "He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into judgement, but is passed from death unto life" John 5:24.
God bless all, Love Betty