See No Evil, "HEAR" No Evil, Speak No Evil

Most likely you have seen the pictures of the three wise monkeys that originated from a 17th century carving at the famous shrine in Nikko, Japan. We three “Wyse” sisters mimic the picture by covering our eyes, ears, and mouth to represent stopping them from sinning. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 says, “reject every kind of evil”. This week’s devotional is “HEAR” no evil...

 

 

It was not that long ago that I was a young lady cruising around in my sports car with my shiny new rims, windows down, and music turned up as loud as it could go. That girl still is inside of me, but God gave me a new heart. I now care what words go with the beats that play through my speakers. Those are not the only filtered words I care about.

Ephesians 5:4-11,

“Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving. For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a person is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient. Therefore do not be partners with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of the light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness, and truth) and find out what pleases the Lord. Have nothing to do with fruitless deeds of darkness...”

Think about these verses and some of the key phrases. Some that stood out to me were; “foolish talk”, “coarse joking”, “immoral”, “empty words”, “not partner with them”, “darkness”, “children of the light”, “goodness”, “righteousness”, “truth”, and “pleases the Lord”. From studying these verses it is easy to tell the negative from the positive, but do you do this in your everyday life? Many of us turn the radio on and zone out to whatever the lyrics might be saying. It is also a lot easier to listen to someone talk about another person without stopping them. What will it take for you to turn the dial or ask someone to stop talking in a negative way? Study the scriptures so you know what is acceptable to God. Then ask God for the power of the Holy Spirit to help you stand up against the darkness.