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The Glorification of Evil
CGG Weekly by David C. GrabbeHalloween, beginning at sunset on October 31, is a glorification of evil, with Satan the devil as its central figure, recognized or not. Evil is the antithesis of the eternal life that comes from knowing the Father and the Son. In its common usage, evil describes something bad or negative, containing malignancy that is purposefully injurious or intentionally unkind. It is miserable by design, doing harm to life or liveliness. Christians should not be associated with or glorify evil, as the face of the LORD is against those who do evil. Paul exhorts believers to abstain from every form of evil, from everything that is against life and especially eternal life. The rituals of Halloween, ancient and modern, do not promote life but revel in trickery, sorcery, spiritism, and the dark ways of the evil one. Christians should not be involved with such things, as one cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. Just like Adam, we must choose between life and evil, as they are mutually exclusive. Eschewing the evil of Halloween is the easy part; the greater challenge is to combat the evil within us, promoted by satan, which has permeated the world since the Garden of Eden. However, those in whom God dwells have the means to overcome evil with good through the eternal life available in relationship with God, a life of the highest quality, free from evil, as God lived it while human. When we emulate the Life-giver, we choose life and condemn evil.
Abstaining From Evil
'Ready Answer' by John O. ReidGod does not just want us not to sin, He also wants us not even to appear to be doing evil. We must guard their thoughts, words and deeds at all times.
Hating Evil, Fearing God
'Ready Answer' by David C. GrabbePaul warns against mixing good and evil, as the fruit is wickedness. The proper fear of the Lord plays a significant role in ridding evil from our lives.
Abstinence - Asceticism or Christian Living?
'Ready Answer' by Martin G. CollinsSome equate abstinence with religious asceticism, but abstinence is broader. Christians may need to abstain from more than just sinful actions.
True Self-Control
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughSelf-control is the ability to focus our attention so that our decisions will not be directed by wrong thoughts. If we change our thoughts, we change our behavior.
Gray Areas in Human Reasoning
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsWe must be on guard for the incremental nature of gray areas. Godly reasoning recognizes no gray areas; just because something is lawful does not mean it is good.