Good and Evil

Last week I had the privilege of playing the piano for KidsWorship, a children's ministry at my church.  They sang a little ditty based on a scripture verse...and I cannot get it out of my mind!  Romans 16:19b-20 - "Be excellent in what is good, be innocent of evil.  And the God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet." Practically speaking...

Be excellent in what is good - 

• Look for ways to lighten someone's load just as Jesus lightened your load; your sinful load.  ("He himself bore our sins in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed." 1 Peter 2:24).
• Speak words of kindness to your spouse just as the Holy Spirit speaks words of comfort to you if you're quiet enough to hear them.  (He'll say things like "I have loved you, my people, with an everlasting love. With unfailing love I have drawn you to myself." Jeremiah 31:3).
• Humbly ask forgiveness of the person whose feelings you've hurt.  Want to know how to make the request genuine?  Think of all Christ has forgiven you for and humility should come pretty quickly ("For he has rescued us from the kingdom of darkness and transferred us into the Kingdom of his dear Son, who purchased our freedom and forgave our sins." Colossians 1:13-14).

Be innocent of evil - 

• Make a pact with your spouse or a close friend to say nothing negative about any one or any thing for a whole day.  You'll be surprised how little you have to say. ("Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them." Ephesians 4:29b).
• Bitterness, envy and anger thrive in an unchecked mind.  Squash them quickly with spiritual truths. ("Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you." Ephesians 4:31-32).
• Trash and raunchiness abound on TV and in the movies.  Believers need to have a higher standard of what they'll put in front of their eyes; a much higher standard. ("And now, dear brothers and sisters:  Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Then the God of peace will be with you." Philippians 4:8-9).

"And the God of peace will soon crush Satan underneath your feet."  Amen!