3 John 1:11 AMP
[11] Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but [imitate] what is good. The one who practices good [exhibiting godly character, moral courage and personal integrity] is of God; the one who practices [or permits or tolerates] evil has not seen God [he has no personal experience with Him and does not know Him at all].
A man can only give that which he has. Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth will speaks. Bad company corrupts good manners. These are just a few of the lessons that the bible teaches about the power behind the time spent with either good or evil. On a daily basis, we are faced with a choice to either do good or pursue evil. There is really no middle ground, or a fence where I can get away with indifference. Both good and evil have power of control and influence, but one thing neither will do is to force itself on you. Both will offer options, as well as define the decisions you have to make to align. None can compel you to submit, but once you do, you are now under the earthly and eternal ramifications of your decision.
The verse above is a good example of the word of God warning me about the power and impact of good and evil. Both have examples and can attract people. Sin in man makes evil attractive, but good offers a way of escape from the power and influence of sin. Good will also supply the grace I need to make the right decision, but as it has been pointed out above, the decision to submit is mine to make. The word of God also provides great examples of the power and impact of good and evil, so I have an abundance of information to learn from. What also makes this verse interesting is that the proof of my life's pursuits cannot be hidden. Time will reveal the substance that I have spent time storing up.
From the words that come out of my mouth, the kind of people I am comfortable around, the personal principles that underpin my public life, the things I do in my private life, all will show who is in control of my life. I may deceive a lot of people with hypocrisy and eye-service, but it will not last long. I also note that permitting or tolerating evil is the same as doing it. The excuse that I am not the one directly doing it does not hold with God. As long as it is within my sphere of influence, and God has given me a voice or a platform to speak or impact lives, I have a duty to advance the cause of the kingdom of God. If I am indeed a child of God, that relationship must be evident in my life's pursuits and priorities. Are you one? Am I? God's time of favour is here.
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