Looking for a church is getting more and more difficult. Most churches that I know of are following the modern day current of ‘baiting’ to get people in to their service. I don’t know if I am right in thinking that this is not good…but it does not feel right. Even if I could prove it wrong, I don’t know what I would or could do about it. While it is easy to justify most things, I keep reading the New Testament and I cannot find anything close to what we do today (in most churches anyway).
I think that my only real choice is to become a part of a church that is close as possible to the NT model. Once there, find out what Jesus would have me do personally, especially in the area of discipleship. Then, don’t worry about all the other stuff; just do what HE tells me.
More importantly, listen for his voice all of the time while out in the world; because that is how you really catch people for the kingdom.
Following is a two-part study for the truth concerning “Fishers of Men”…a concept that seems a little misconstrued in my opinion in the church of today. It may sound negative, but I don’t mean to be…just want to know what the Holy Spirit originally intended.
Sunday, May 28, 2006
Fishers of Men-part 1
18 ¶ And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-22
Jesus keeps the analogy overly simple for us about making His disciples fishers of men. However, in my opinion, it seems to be misunderstood by so many people. The illustrations based on this passage usually go something like this: “We need to be fishers of men. To be effective fishermen we need to have a good fishing rod, we need to use the right kind of bait, and we need to reel those unbelievers in! [And most of the time, there is an emphasis on ‘bait’]. We must change the bait from time to time because our culture changes.”
The phrase ‘fishers of men’ is the only part of this passage that I hear any more. It is lifted out and a whole new system is born that was never meant to be. Instead of the ‘local church’ being a place where believers gather for discipleship, Bible Study, edification, and personal ministry to those who lack in any area, it has turned into a ‘fishing hole’. The idea is to get as many unsaved or ‘unchurched’ people into the congregation by baiting them with something they like, then reel them in with the gospel show. But very few of us see this as a problem because we are a part of the system; and, it works so well. The end justifies the means. People are saved; so, it must be right.
By accepting this concept, we now have an open license to become like the world…but only if we are trying to catch fish. I have seen it often and have been guilty myself. To be ‘relevant’, we change our hair color/style, grow facial hair or shave, wear the latest style clothes, use lots and lots of technology, etc. One of my favorites is the ‘stool and table’ that many speakers have gone to. Why? It depends on who you ask. You will get varying answers, but the consistent theme is ‘relevance’. A large number of books have been written devoted to this cause. There was (and I think still is) a periodic magazine called “Relevant”. I know, I used to read some of these things. In fact, it easily got to the point where a I was spending more energy learning the ‘how to’s’ rather than “Following”.
This particular passage, and how we use it, is a great example of how much we lack in our personal Bible knoweldge and/or conviction; which I believe is our biggest problem today. Ministers who are gifted in teaching the Bible have even abandoned their gift in order to be relevant or to preach a relevant message... and we will contiue to do so because being relevant increases attendance; and, this will push all of our ‘self’ buttons.We have developed a church culture where we spoon or bottle feed the congrgation at best.
In fairness, I must say two things: First, I don’t have all the answers and I am not sure what to do. And even if I did, I don’t know that I would do it. Right now, I think that I am in a major transition stage of observing, learning, and trying to understand from this new angle that I have found myself in…and I have a very long way to go.
Second, many of these same churches are trying to develop discipleship small groups that meet on Sunday nights or sometime during the week. I understand that Celebrate Recovery is a good discipleship time. I have met a few people that go for the learning and personal ministry, even though they are not ‘recovering’ from anything. Another church that I know have seems to have the small group thing going on. It is their main focus. Build the small groups and, by the way, we can meet on Sundays for large group fellowship. (Most churches have the opposite approach—build the large gathering, then get them plugged in to small groups. The problem is that if you baited them to church, you have to bait them to discipleship.) It seems that in the Biblical New Testament Church, it was meant to be a gathering of Jesus Followers, not a fishing hole.
Jesus keeps the analogy overly simple for us about making His disciples fishers of men. However, in my opinion, it seems to be misunderstood by so many people. The illustrations based on this passage usually go something like this: “We need to be fishers of men. To be effective fishermen we need to have a good fishing rod, we need to use the right kind of bait, and we need to reel those unbelievers in! [And most of the time, there is an emphasis on ‘bait’]. We must change the bait from time to time because our culture changes.”
The phrase ‘fishers of men’ is the only part of this passage that I hear any more. It is lifted out and a whole new system is born that was never meant to be. Instead of the ‘local church’ being a place where believers gather for discipleship, Bible Study, edification, and personal ministry to those who lack in any area, it has turned into a ‘fishing hole’. The idea is to get as many unsaved or ‘unchurched’ people into the congregation by baiting them with something they like, then reel them in with the gospel show. But very few of us see this as a problem because we are a part of the system; and, it works so well. The end justifies the means. People are saved; so, it must be right.
By accepting this concept, we now have an open license to become like the world…but only if we are trying to catch fish. I have seen it often and have been guilty myself. To be ‘relevant’, we change our hair color/style, grow facial hair or shave, wear the latest style clothes, use lots and lots of technology, etc. One of my favorites is the ‘stool and table’ that many speakers have gone to. Why? It depends on who you ask. You will get varying answers, but the consistent theme is ‘relevance’. A large number of books have been written devoted to this cause. There was (and I think still is) a periodic magazine called “Relevant”. I know, I used to read some of these things. In fact, it easily got to the point where a I was spending more energy learning the ‘how to’s’ rather than “Following”.
This particular passage, and how we use it, is a great example of how much we lack in our personal Bible knoweldge and/or conviction; which I believe is our biggest problem today. Ministers who are gifted in teaching the Bible have even abandoned their gift in order to be relevant or to preach a relevant message... and we will contiue to do so because being relevant increases attendance; and, this will push all of our ‘self’ buttons.We have developed a church culture where we spoon or bottle feed the congrgation at best.
In fairness, I must say two things: First, I don’t have all the answers and I am not sure what to do. And even if I did, I don’t know that I would do it. Right now, I think that I am in a major transition stage of observing, learning, and trying to understand from this new angle that I have found myself in…and I have a very long way to go.
Second, many of these same churches are trying to develop discipleship small groups that meet on Sunday nights or sometime during the week. I understand that Celebrate Recovery is a good discipleship time. I have met a few people that go for the learning and personal ministry, even though they are not ‘recovering’ from anything. Another church that I know have seems to have the small group thing going on. It is their main focus. Build the small groups and, by the way, we can meet on Sundays for large group fellowship. (Most churches have the opposite approach—build the large gathering, then get them plugged in to small groups. The problem is that if you baited them to church, you have to bait them to discipleship.) It seems that in the Biblical New Testament Church, it was meant to be a gathering of Jesus Followers, not a fishing hole.
Fishers of Men-part 2
18 ¶ And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. 19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men." 20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him. 21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them, 22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him. Matthew 4:18-22
If we impose our modern-day presuppositions about fishing onto this passage we walk away with an interpretation that is foreign to the meaning Jesus intended. The men Jesus called to be His disciples in this passage were fishermen. Their method of catching fish did not involve rod and reel, though that method certainly did exist in that time and is even mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 17:27). However, the method was to cast a net. So, to begin with, we need to at least form our modern day church strategies around casting a net into an open sea, instead of baiting a hook at the local fishing hole.
But even this does not seem to be the truest meaning of the passage. And in this case, it only involves a little study and meditaiton about three things.
1- Follow Me
2- I will make
3- They immedieatly left
“Follow me” means much more than “Get behind me and go where I go”. When a rabbi told someone to ‘follow me’, that was an imperitave command to “become who I am”. Not just observe, but learn and BE. In our culture today, we tend to skip over the full meaning of ‘follow me’ and go to fishing for men. We think that because we are born-again christians and have some form of discipline, we are following Him. This is especially true of those who have “given up everything to follow the call into full-time ministry”. I know, I walked there…and it can be a very deceitful path. You really think you are following as Jesus intended, but you are really following self for the most part. And it is virtually impossible to be convinced otherwise.
“I will make” is what Jesus will do. We don’t become fisherman. Jesus makes us fisherman. It is not our prerogative, it is His. We should not need to read books to become relevant so that we make ourselves fishermen; we abandon our own methods and allow Jesus to make us.
“They immediately left” three things in this passage. What do you think that these three things meant to the disciples at that time, what do they mean to the church of today, and what do they mean to you personally?
The left their Nets.(In the first case, they left the net they were casting. In the next, they left the net that they were mending.)
They left their Boat.
They left their Father.
If we impose our modern-day presuppositions about fishing onto this passage we walk away with an interpretation that is foreign to the meaning Jesus intended. The men Jesus called to be His disciples in this passage were fishermen. Their method of catching fish did not involve rod and reel, though that method certainly did exist in that time and is even mentioned in the Bible (Matthew 17:27). However, the method was to cast a net. So, to begin with, we need to at least form our modern day church strategies around casting a net into an open sea, instead of baiting a hook at the local fishing hole.
But even this does not seem to be the truest meaning of the passage. And in this case, it only involves a little study and meditaiton about three things.
1- Follow Me
2- I will make
3- They immedieatly left
“Follow me” means much more than “Get behind me and go where I go”. When a rabbi told someone to ‘follow me’, that was an imperitave command to “become who I am”. Not just observe, but learn and BE. In our culture today, we tend to skip over the full meaning of ‘follow me’ and go to fishing for men. We think that because we are born-again christians and have some form of discipline, we are following Him. This is especially true of those who have “given up everything to follow the call into full-time ministry”. I know, I walked there…and it can be a very deceitful path. You really think you are following as Jesus intended, but you are really following self for the most part. And it is virtually impossible to be convinced otherwise.
“I will make” is what Jesus will do. We don’t become fisherman. Jesus makes us fisherman. It is not our prerogative, it is His. We should not need to read books to become relevant so that we make ourselves fishermen; we abandon our own methods and allow Jesus to make us.
“They immediately left” three things in this passage. What do you think that these three things meant to the disciples at that time, what do they mean to the church of today, and what do they mean to you personally?
The left their Nets.(In the first case, they left the net they were casting. In the next, they left the net that they were mending.)
They left their Boat.
They left their Father.
Fishers of Men-Conclusion
The only way to truly become Fishers of Men is to forsake all and become so wrapped up in the Rabbi and his Life, that we begin to sound and act like Him. It is choosing Relationships over Relevance. Relevance causes us to focus on the wrong thing. Relationships causes us to focus on the right thing.
To abandon all, follow Jesus, become like Him, is our one and only mission, until He makes us. A willingness to give up self, put down the methods of the world, and immediately obey is at the center of this transformation. He then makes us and empowers us to cast the net of the gospel into the open sea of the world, fullfilling HIS mission.
I think that we will find this to be a much more effective way to accomplish His Will on earth, if we follow this as He orginally intended.
To abandon all, follow Jesus, become like Him, is our one and only mission, until He makes us. A willingness to give up self, put down the methods of the world, and immediately obey is at the center of this transformation. He then makes us and empowers us to cast the net of the gospel into the open sea of the world, fullfilling HIS mission.
I think that we will find this to be a much more effective way to accomplish His Will on earth, if we follow this as He orginally intended.
Sunday, May 21, 2006
The Da Vinci Code
Once again the enemy seems to be succeeding in preoccupying the Church with the unnecessary. I have been hearing about churches organizing boycotts, and instructing members that seeing the movie will damage their faith.
What a sad statement. If watching a movie undermines one’s faith, that is a pretty weak faith…and just more proof that the Church lacks in true discipleship. It seems to me that our reaction is all wrong. I see this as a great opportunity to learn how better to “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:14-16 for the whole thought process.
And maybe these churches are doing that. I was behind a lady at Office Depot the other day, where she had just made copies of a flyer for her church. I noticed that they were going to discuss the Da Vinci Code in detail as it compares to the Bible. I have also seen several church marquees inviting people in for that reason.
I hope that they are handling it right. My fear is that it will produce in people a sort attitude which says, “I am right and you are wrong, and if you disagree with me, I will show you how wrong you are by pounding you with my big Bible until I drive you away or you shut up. Or, I will simply isolate you from my world. [Because my faith is too weak to actually Love you unconditionally and engage you in intelligent conversation] And in the meantime I will certainly boycott that movie! [However, I will not 'boycott' certain other movies, or TV shows that I have no business seeing. And the reason that I am acting this way is because I am a weak, immature Christian with little or no faith of my own…I have only what I get at church on Sundays and Wednesdays]
By the way, have you read the definition of boycott? The words ‘coercion’ and ‘isolation’ are used to describe it. Is this what Jesus intends for us to do?…isolate and coerce the unsaved--or those brothers and sisters who are weak in Faith? I think not.
Josh McDowell has written a book entitled, The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers. (If interested, go here. I have not read it yet, but I have ordered it.) I think Mr. McDowell has a far better approach than the majority of churches. Following are a few excerpts from his study notes that can be downloaded free; also here, under Additional Resources. Pay special attention to ‘Conversation’and ‘Cooperation’.
DEDICATION: …the character in the book who invites his friends Matt and Andrea to meet for spiritual conversations revolving around The Da Vinci Code—is a Christian, who…is intentionally pursuing the Christian’s mission of sharing the good news with others.
PREPARATION: …Chris has prepared to give an answer..he’s already read The Da Vinci Code and he’s all set to invite his friends to learn more with him.
CONVERSATION: …most of Chris’s interaction involves asking questions. He didn’t preach at them; he invited them, asked them, interacted with them—even learned a few things from them. That’s a good model for all of us, to enter true spiritual conversations, talking and listening, giving and taking, asking and answering, in sincere interest and cooperation.
“COOPERATION: One of the best things you’ll see Chris doing…is entering into a process of mutual discovery with Matt and Andrea. He involves them in researching questions they all have, instead of merely telling them what he wants them to know. He asks them for input and feedback, and lets them see and hear who he really is and what he really believes, even as he learns more about them and what they believe. He never seems to forget that they are his friends, and that they deserve to be treated with gentleness and respect.
What a sad statement. If watching a movie undermines one’s faith, that is a pretty weak faith…and just more proof that the Church lacks in true discipleship. It seems to me that our reaction is all wrong. I see this as a great opportunity to learn how better to “…always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;” 1 Peter 3:14-16 for the whole thought process.
And maybe these churches are doing that. I was behind a lady at Office Depot the other day, where she had just made copies of a flyer for her church. I noticed that they were going to discuss the Da Vinci Code in detail as it compares to the Bible. I have also seen several church marquees inviting people in for that reason.
I hope that they are handling it right. My fear is that it will produce in people a sort attitude which says, “I am right and you are wrong, and if you disagree with me, I will show you how wrong you are by pounding you with my big Bible until I drive you away or you shut up. Or, I will simply isolate you from my world. [Because my faith is too weak to actually Love you unconditionally and engage you in intelligent conversation] And in the meantime I will certainly boycott that movie! [However, I will not 'boycott' certain other movies, or TV shows that I have no business seeing. And the reason that I am acting this way is because I am a weak, immature Christian with little or no faith of my own…I have only what I get at church on Sundays and Wednesdays]
By the way, have you read the definition of boycott? The words ‘coercion’ and ‘isolation’ are used to describe it. Is this what Jesus intends for us to do?…isolate and coerce the unsaved--or those brothers and sisters who are weak in Faith? I think not.
Josh McDowell has written a book entitled, The Da Vinci Code: A Quest for Answers. (If interested, go here. I have not read it yet, but I have ordered it.) I think Mr. McDowell has a far better approach than the majority of churches. Following are a few excerpts from his study notes that can be downloaded free; also here, under Additional Resources. Pay special attention to ‘Conversation’and ‘Cooperation’.
DEDICATION: …the character in the book who invites his friends Matt and Andrea to meet for spiritual conversations revolving around The Da Vinci Code—is a Christian, who…is intentionally pursuing the Christian’s mission of sharing the good news with others.
PREPARATION: …Chris has prepared to give an answer..he’s already read The Da Vinci Code and he’s all set to invite his friends to learn more with him.
CONVERSATION: …most of Chris’s interaction involves asking questions. He didn’t preach at them; he invited them, asked them, interacted with them—even learned a few things from them. That’s a good model for all of us, to enter true spiritual conversations, talking and listening, giving and taking, asking and answering, in sincere interest and cooperation.
“COOPERATION: One of the best things you’ll see Chris doing…is entering into a process of mutual discovery with Matt and Andrea. He involves them in researching questions they all have, instead of merely telling them what he wants them to know. He asks them for input and feedback, and lets them see and hear who he really is and what he really believes, even as he learns more about them and what they believe. He never seems to forget that they are his friends, and that they deserve to be treated with gentleness and respect.
Friday, May 19, 2006
The Rapture?
In the late 1980’s, a booklet came out entitled, “88 Reasons the Rapture Could Occur in 1988”. It caused quite a stir. I was 22 years old, and working at Zantop. I had recently turned my life around, started going to church; and, more importantly, began studying the Bible for myself on a regular basis—in order to develop a more intimate, personal Relationship with Jesus.
Because those that I worked with were aware of my new commitment, they were involving me in many discussions concerning this booklet. Finally, I obtained a copy for myself. It was very persuasive, and was filled with Scripture verses which seemed to prove the point; but, I did not feel good about it. Thinking it best not to try arguing against it, I would simply say something like, “It really does not matter ‘when’ to a born-again Christian; it only matters ‘when’ to the unsaved. Where do you stand?”
Last week, I brought this subject up to a friend of mine; and, he remembers his pastor preaching regularly from the booklet. In fact, I understand that there were lots of preachers using this booklet from the pulpit telling people to get ready for the rapture that was to occur between Sept 11 & Sept 13, 1988.
Why bring this all up? First of all, to try to clear up some confusion. If you do an internet search concerning the rapture, you will find a large volume of material. After reading through a few pages, I realized that it was a dead end. Most articles are written by people who heard from God. However, person number one (who heard from God) says one thing about the rapture; and, person number two (who also heard from God) says something else which contradicts the other…and so on and so forth.
Secondly, I have been reading through 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. It seems that what we call the rapture, is addressed in both books. (Maybe there was a ‘scroll-et’ going around…”50 Reasons that Jesus is Coming Back in A.D. 50”?) I don’t know, but there seems to have been some confusion back then also—concerning the return of Jesus to gather up all of the Church.
One should definitely read all of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians to get the full picture, but for now, take a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; especially verses 3 & 4.
It seems that most confusion in this world would be cleared up...if we would just read our Bible.
Oh, here is a little summary of what happened to the “88 Reasons” booklet…
Because those that I worked with were aware of my new commitment, they were involving me in many discussions concerning this booklet. Finally, I obtained a copy for myself. It was very persuasive, and was filled with Scripture verses which seemed to prove the point; but, I did not feel good about it. Thinking it best not to try arguing against it, I would simply say something like, “It really does not matter ‘when’ to a born-again Christian; it only matters ‘when’ to the unsaved. Where do you stand?”
Last week, I brought this subject up to a friend of mine; and, he remembers his pastor preaching regularly from the booklet. In fact, I understand that there were lots of preachers using this booklet from the pulpit telling people to get ready for the rapture that was to occur between Sept 11 & Sept 13, 1988.
Why bring this all up? First of all, to try to clear up some confusion. If you do an internet search concerning the rapture, you will find a large volume of material. After reading through a few pages, I realized that it was a dead end. Most articles are written by people who heard from God. However, person number one (who heard from God) says one thing about the rapture; and, person number two (who also heard from God) says something else which contradicts the other…and so on and so forth.
Secondly, I have been reading through 1st and 2nd Thessalonians. It seems that what we call the rapture, is addressed in both books. (Maybe there was a ‘scroll-et’ going around…”50 Reasons that Jesus is Coming Back in A.D. 50”?) I don’t know, but there seems to have been some confusion back then also—concerning the return of Jesus to gather up all of the Church.
One should definitely read all of 1st and 2nd Thessalonians to get the full picture, but for now, take a look at 2 Thessalonians 2:1-12; especially verses 3 & 4.
It seems that most confusion in this world would be cleared up...if we would just read our Bible.
Oh, here is a little summary of what happened to the “88 Reasons” booklet…
Saturday, May 13, 2006
A little concerned...
When I was somewhere around 20 years old, God showed me that I was definitely going down the wrong path. I felt that I had to get right with Him. At the time, I was not sure what all that meant, so I decided to stop doing the things that I thought were wrong.
One of those things was my language. There is so much to say about this; and, some of it is debated quite often. Like, “Who or What decides what a ‘cuss word’ is?” I even heard a pastor say, “It is not what you say that matters, it is the condition of your heart when you say it.”
I don’t know. My question is, “Why do we insist on getting as close as we can to the ‘line’ without going over it? Why don’t we look towards God and away from the world instead of towards the world and away from God?”
There are some things in this world that will always be in the gray area. Like eating, going to the movies, an occasional drink, and other things that bring us pleasure of some sort. But there are some things that God seems to be pretty clear about, and to me, language is one of them.
Ephesians 4:29--Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
I have often heard the meaning of ‘corrupt’ debated. It is sad that we get stuck there, instead of moving forward and at leaste eliminating every word that does not edify (build up) and/or impart grace to those who hear our words.
There are many words commonly used today that I have never heard in an edifying way…most of them ‘cuss words’, but there are also many other words that we just throw around not understanding that “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21
If you are 40 or over, then you have seen the decline in our language. It used to be unfit and unusual to hear a female say a bad word; but now it is the norm. At one time, a male would not say certain words unless they were really, really angry about something. Twenty years ago, you could watch several hours of TV without hearing a single bad word; but today, it seems that you can’t watch for five minutes. I wish I could blame TV or the movies or something on the demoralizing decline of our language…however, it really is quite simply, the condition of our heart. We cater to our sinful flesh and actually want to hear and say inappropriate words! It makes us feel better for the moment. However, it appears that we will be justified or condemned by our own words...
Mt 12:34 “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mt 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Mt 12:36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Mt 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
So, where do we go from here? Maybe a good starting place is to go back to something that worked years ago. Maybe we should eliminate, or at least greatly limit, anything that God would not approve of going into our hearts. This would automatically limit the amount of corrupt words coming out of our hearts. The only problem here is that we no longer really know what God approves or disapproves of. It is going to take some deliberate thinking, praying, and reading if we are going to accomplish this mission.
What if we kept some sort of notebook with us this week and jotted down every song, every show, every movie, every word, every conversation, etc, that we are pretty sure that God would not approve of. Ok, at least make a mental note of it. And of course, it would help by looking up what God says about our language in the Bible. (Click on ‘R261’ for a list of similar verses)
One of those things was my language. There is so much to say about this; and, some of it is debated quite often. Like, “Who or What decides what a ‘cuss word’ is?” I even heard a pastor say, “It is not what you say that matters, it is the condition of your heart when you say it.”
I don’t know. My question is, “Why do we insist on getting as close as we can to the ‘line’ without going over it? Why don’t we look towards God and away from the world instead of towards the world and away from God?”
There are some things in this world that will always be in the gray area. Like eating, going to the movies, an occasional drink, and other things that bring us pleasure of some sort. But there are some things that God seems to be pretty clear about, and to me, language is one of them.
Ephesians 4:29--Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.
I have often heard the meaning of ‘corrupt’ debated. It is sad that we get stuck there, instead of moving forward and at leaste eliminating every word that does not edify (build up) and/or impart grace to those who hear our words.
There are many words commonly used today that I have never heard in an edifying way…most of them ‘cuss words’, but there are also many other words that we just throw around not understanding that “A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:20-21
If you are 40 or over, then you have seen the decline in our language. It used to be unfit and unusual to hear a female say a bad word; but now it is the norm. At one time, a male would not say certain words unless they were really, really angry about something. Twenty years ago, you could watch several hours of TV without hearing a single bad word; but today, it seems that you can’t watch for five minutes. I wish I could blame TV or the movies or something on the demoralizing decline of our language…however, it really is quite simply, the condition of our heart. We cater to our sinful flesh and actually want to hear and say inappropriate words! It makes us feel better for the moment. However, it appears that we will be justified or condemned by our own words...
Mt 12:34 “Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mt 12:35 “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
Mt 12:36 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment.
Mt 12:37 “For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned."
So, where do we go from here? Maybe a good starting place is to go back to something that worked years ago. Maybe we should eliminate, or at least greatly limit, anything that God would not approve of going into our hearts. This would automatically limit the amount of corrupt words coming out of our hearts. The only problem here is that we no longer really know what God approves or disapproves of. It is going to take some deliberate thinking, praying, and reading if we are going to accomplish this mission.
What if we kept some sort of notebook with us this week and jotted down every song, every show, every movie, every word, every conversation, etc, that we are pretty sure that God would not approve of. Ok, at least make a mental note of it. And of course, it would help by looking up what God says about our language in the Bible. (Click on ‘R261’ for a list of similar verses)
Saturday, May 06, 2006
Evil-What is it?
Satan worship? Any disobedience to the Ten Commandments? Anything against God?
Evil is a word that I have often overlooked. I think that I only associate it with ‘bad’ sins…like murder, stealing, hurting others on purpose; or, I associate it with the devil or demons. But, when we are admonished in 1st Thessalonians 5 to abstain from evil in every form, I realize that this letter was addressed to Christians…born again believers…like me. So, today, in this society, in my life…what is evil so that I may stay away from it? More importantly, what is the Biblical definition of evil?
The best general Biblical definition that I can find is “not such as it ought to be”; referring primarily to the nature of someone or something as opposed to its effects.
In the New Testament, there are at least three different translations for evil.
“kakos” frequently means evil rather negatively, referring to the absence of the qualities which constitute a person or thing what it should be or what it claims to be. It is also used meaning evil in a moral sense. (Every verse with 'kakos')
**Does my heart truly match what I claim to be or project on the outside?
“poneros” is a word stronger and more active, it means mischief-making, delighting in injury, doing evil to others, dangerous, destructive. kakos describes the quality according to its nature, poneros, according to its effects. (Every verse with 'poneros')
**Do the effects of my actions injure others in any way? Sometimes, the only way that I can see if there is hidden evil in my heart, is to look at the effects of my actions.
“phaulos” is the bad chiefly as the worthless, the good for nothing.”
(Every verse with 'phaulos')
Evil is a word that I have often overlooked. I think that I only associate it with ‘bad’ sins…like murder, stealing, hurting others on purpose; or, I associate it with the devil or demons. But, when we are admonished in 1st Thessalonians 5 to abstain from evil in every form, I realize that this letter was addressed to Christians…born again believers…like me. So, today, in this society, in my life…what is evil so that I may stay away from it? More importantly, what is the Biblical definition of evil?
The best general Biblical definition that I can find is “not such as it ought to be”; referring primarily to the nature of someone or something as opposed to its effects.
In the New Testament, there are at least three different translations for evil.
“kakos” frequently means evil rather negatively, referring to the absence of the qualities which constitute a person or thing what it should be or what it claims to be. It is also used meaning evil in a moral sense. (Every verse with 'kakos')
**Does my heart truly match what I claim to be or project on the outside?
“poneros” is a word stronger and more active, it means mischief-making, delighting in injury, doing evil to others, dangerous, destructive. kakos describes the quality according to its nature, poneros, according to its effects. (Every verse with 'poneros')
**Do the effects of my actions injure others in any way? Sometimes, the only way that I can see if there is hidden evil in my heart, is to look at the effects of my actions.
“phaulos” is the bad chiefly as the worthless, the good for nothing.”
(Every verse with 'phaulos')
Evil-'kakos'-every NT instance
Evil- “kakos kak-os” frequently means evil rather negatively, referring to the absence of the qualities which constitute a person or thing what it should be or what it claims to be. It is also used meaning evil in a moral sense.
Here is everywhere that 'kakos' occurs in the NT. (Notice that the word evil is not always the English word used; however, it is the same word in the Greek language.) I like to print stuff like this out, read over it, and maybe look up the chapter to see the context.
Mt 21:41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men <2556> miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."
Mt 24:48 "But if that evil <2556> servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
Mt 27:23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"
Mr 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil <2556> thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mr 15:14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"
Lu 16:25 "But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things <2556>; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
Lu 23:22 Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil <2556>; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
Ac 9:13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm <2556> he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Ac 16:28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm <2556>, for we are all here."
Ac 23:9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil <2556> in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."
Ac 28:5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm <2556>.
Ro 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things <2556>, disobedient to parents,
Ro 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil <2556>, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Ro 3:8 And why not say, "Let us do evil <2556> that good may come"? ––as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Ro 7:19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil <2556> I will not to do, that I practice.
Ro 7:21 I find then a law, that evil <2556> is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
Ro 9:11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil <2556>, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
Ro 12:17 Repay no one evil <2556> for evil <2556>. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Ro 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil <2556>, but overcome evil <2556> with good.
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil <2556>. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Ro 13:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil <2556>, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil <2556>.
Ro 13:10 Love does no harm <2556> to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ro 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil <2556> for the man who eats with offense.
Ro 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil <2556>.
1Co 10:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil <2556> things as they also lusted.
1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil <2556>;
1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil <2556> company corrupts good habits."
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad <2556>.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil <2556>, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil <2556> workers, beware of the mutilation!
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil <2556> desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
1Th 5:15 See that no one renders evil <2556> for evil <2556> to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil <2556>, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm <2556>. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
Tit 1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil <2556> beasts, lazy gluttons."
Heb 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil <2556>.
Jas 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil <2556>, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Jas 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil <2556>, full of deadly poison.
1Pe 3:9 not returning evil <2556> for evil <2556> or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil <2556>, And his lips from speaking deceit.
1Pe 3:11 Let him turn away from evil <2556> and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil <2556>."
3Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil <2556>, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Re 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil <2556>. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
Re 16:2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul <2556> and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Here is everywhere that 'kakos' occurs in the NT. (Notice that the word evil is not always the English word used; however, it is the same word in the Greek language.) I like to print stuff like this out, read over it, and maybe look up the chapter to see the context.
Mt 21:41 They said to Him, "He will destroy those wicked men <2556> miserably, and lease his vineyard to other vinedressers who will render to him the fruits in their seasons."
Mt 24:48 "But if that evil <2556> servant says in his heart, ‘My master is delaying his coming,’
Mt 27:23 Then the governor said, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done?" But they cried out all the more, saying, "Let Him be crucified!"
Mr 7:21 "For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil <2556> thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders,
Mr 15:14 Then Pilate said to them, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done?" But they cried out all the more, "Crucify Him!"
Lu 16:25 "But Abraham said, ‘Son, remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things <2556>; but now he is comforted and you are tormented.
Lu 23:22 Then he said to them the third time, "Why, what evil <2556> has He done? I have found no reason for death in Him. I will therefore chastise Him and let Him go."
Joh 18:23 Jesus answered him, "If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil <2556>; but if well, why do you strike Me?"
Ac 9:13 Then Ananias answered, "Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm <2556> he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.
Ac 16:28 But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do yourself no harm <2556>, for we are all here."
Ac 23:9 Then there arose a loud outcry. And the scribes of the Pharisees’ party arose and protested, saying, "We find no evil <2556> in this man; but if a spirit or an angel has spoken to him, let us not fight against God."
Ac 28:5 But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm <2556>.
Ro 1:30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things <2556>, disobedient to parents,
Ro 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil <2556>, of the Jew first and also of the Greek;
Ro 3:8 And why not say, "Let us do evil <2556> that good may come"? ––as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just.
Ro 7:19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil <2556> I will not to do, that I practice.
Ro 7:21 I find then a law, that evil <2556> is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
Ro 9:11 (for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil <2556>, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls),
Ro 12:17 Repay no one evil <2556> for evil <2556>. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.
Ro 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil <2556>, but overcome evil <2556> with good.
Ro 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil <2556>. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
Ro 13:4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil <2556>, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil <2556>.
Ro 13:10 Love does no harm <2556> to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.
Ro 14:20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil <2556> for the man who eats with offense.
Ro 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil <2556>.
1Co 10:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil <2556> things as they also lusted.
1Co 13:5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil <2556>;
1Co 15:33 Do not be deceived: "Evil <2556> company corrupts good habits."
2Co 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad <2556>.
2Co 13:7 Now I pray to God that you do no evil <2556>, not that we should appear approved, but that you should do what is honorable, though we may seem disqualified.
Php 3:2 Beware of dogs, beware of evil <2556> workers, beware of the mutilation!
Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil <2556> desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
1Th 5:15 See that no one renders evil <2556> for evil <2556> to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.
1Ti 6:10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil <2556>, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
2Ti 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm <2556>. May the Lord repay him according to his works.
Tit 1:12 One of them, a prophet of their own, said, "Cretans are always liars, evil <2556> beasts, lazy gluttons."
Heb 5:14 But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil <2556>.
Jas 1:13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil <2556>, nor does He Himself tempt anyone.
Jas 3:8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil <2556>, full of deadly poison.
1Pe 3:9 not returning evil <2556> for evil <2556> or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.
1Pe 3:10 For "He who would love life And see good days, Let him refrain his tongue from evil <2556>, And his lips from speaking deceit.
1Pe 3:11 Let him turn away from evil <2556> and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it.
1Pe 3:12 For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil <2556>."
3Jo 1:11 Beloved, do not imitate what is evil <2556>, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.
Re 2:2 "I know your works, your labor, your patience, and that you cannot bear those who are evil <2556>. And you have tested those who say they are apostles and are not, and have found them liars;
Re 16:2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul <2556> and loathsome sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Evil-'poneros'- every NT instance
“poneros pon-ay-ros” is a word stronger and more active, it means mischief-making, delighting in injury, doing evil to others, dangerous, destructive.
kakos describes the quality according to its nature;
poneros, according to its effects.
Here is everywhere this word (poneros) is found in the NT.
Mt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil <4190> against you falsely for My sake.
Mt 5:37 "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil <4190> one.
Mt 5:39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil <4190> person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Mt 5:45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil <4190> and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mt 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil <4190> one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Mt 6:23 "But if your eye is bad <4190>, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mt 7:11 "If you then, being evil <4190>, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Mt 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad <4190> fruit.
Mt 7:18 "A good tree cannot bear bad <4190> fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Mt 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil <4190> in your hearts?
Mt 12:34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil <4190>, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mt 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil <4190> man out of the evil <4190> treasure brings forth evil things <4190>.
Mt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil <4190> and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Mt 12:45 "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked <4190> generation."
Mt 13:19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked <4190> one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
Mt 13:38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked <4190> one.
Mt 13:49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked <4190> from among the just,
Mt 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil <4190> thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Mt 16:4 "A wicked <4190> and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.
Mt 18:32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked <4190> servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Mt 20:15 ‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil <4190> because I am good?’
Mt 22:10 "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad <4190> and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Mt 25:26 "But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked <4190> and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Mr 7:22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil <4190> eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Mr 7:23 "All these evil things <4190> come from within and defile a man."
Lu 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils <4190> which Herod had done,
Lu 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil <4190>, For the Son of Man’s sake.
Lu 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil <4190>.
Lu 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil <4190> man out of the evil <4190> treasure of his heart brings forth evil <4190>. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Lu 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil <4190> spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
Lu 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil <4190> spirits and infirmities––Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
Lu 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one <4190>."
Lu 11:13 "If you then, being evil <4190>, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Lu 11:29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil <4190> generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Lu 11:34 "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad <4190>, your body also is full of darkness.
Lu 19:22 "And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked <4190> servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.
Joh 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil <4190>.
Joh 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil <4190>.
Joh 17:15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one <4190>.
Ac 17:5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil <4190> men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Ac 18:14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked <4190> crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
Ac 19:12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil <4190> spirits went out of them.
Ac 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil <4190> spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."
Ac 19:15 And the evil <4190> spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"
Ac 19:16 Then the man in whom the evil <4190> spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Ac 28:21 Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil <4190> of you.
Ro 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil <4190>. Cling to what is good.
1Co 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person <4190>."
Ga 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil <4190> age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil <4190>.
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil <4190> day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one <4190>.
Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked <4190> works, yet now He has reconciled
1Th 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil <4190>.
2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked <4190> men; for not all have faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one <4190>.
1Ti 6:4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil <4190> suspicions,
2Ti 3:13 But evil <4190> men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil <4190> work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil <4190> heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil <4190> conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Jas 2:4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil <4190> thoughts?
Jas 4:16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil <4190>.
1Jo 2:13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one <4190>. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.
1Jo 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one <4190>.
1Jo 3:12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one <4190> and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil <4190> and his brother’s righteous.
1Jo 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one <4190> does not touch him.
1Jo 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one <4190>.
2Jo 1:11 for he who greets him shares in his evil <4190> deeds.
3Jo 1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words <4190>. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
Re 16:2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome <4190> sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
kakos
poneros
Here is everywhere this word (poneros) is found in the NT.
Mt 5:11 "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil <4190> against you falsely for My sake.
Mt 5:37 "But let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’ For whatever is more than these is from the evil <4190> one.
Mt 5:39 "But I tell you not to resist an evil <4190> person. But whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn the other to him also.
Mt 5:45 "that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil <4190> and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
Mt 6:13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil <4190> one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Mt 6:23 "But if your eye is bad <4190>, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness!
Mt 7:11 "If you then, being evil <4190>, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!
Mt 7:17 "Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad <4190> fruit.
Mt 7:18 "A good tree cannot bear bad <4190> fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.
Mt 9:4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, "Why do you think evil <4190> in your hearts?
Mt 12:34 "Brood of vipers! How can you, being evil <4190>, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Mt 12:35 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil <4190> man out of the evil <4190> treasure brings forth evil things <4190>.
Mt 12:39 But He answered and said to them, "An evil <4190> and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
Mt 12:45 "Then he goes and takes with him seven other spirits more wicked than himself, and they enter and dwell there; and the last state of that man is worse than the first. So shall it also be with this wicked <4190> generation."
Mt 13:19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked <4190> one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside.
Mt 13:38 "The field is the world, the good seeds are the sons of the kingdom, but the tares are the sons of the wicked <4190> one.
Mt 13:49 "So it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come forth, separate the wicked <4190> from among the just,
Mt 15:19 "For out of the heart proceed evil <4190> thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.
Mt 16:4 "A wicked <4190> and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign shall be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah." And He left them and departed.
Mt 18:32 "Then his master, after he had called him, said to him, ‘You wicked <4190> servant! I forgave you all that debt because you begged me.
Mt 20:15 ‘Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil <4190> because I am good?’
Mt 22:10 "So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad <4190> and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests.
Mt 25:26 "But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked <4190> and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed.
Mr 7:22 "thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil <4190> eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness.
Mr 7:23 "All these evil things <4190> come from within and defile a man."
Lu 3:19 But Herod the tetrarch, being rebuked by him concerning Herodias, his brother Philip’s wife, and for all the evils <4190> which Herod had done,
Lu 6:22 Blessed are you when men hate you, And when they exclude you, And revile you, and cast out your name as evil <4190>, For the Son of Man’s sake.
Lu 6:35 "But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil <4190>.
Lu 6:45 "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil <4190> man out of the evil <4190> treasure of his heart brings forth evil <4190>. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks.
Lu 7:21 And that very hour He cured many of infirmities, afflictions, and evil <4190> spirits; and to many blind He gave sight.
Lu 8:2 and certain women who had been healed of evil <4190> spirits and infirmities––Mary called Magdalene, out of whom had come seven demons,
Lu 11:4 And forgive us our sins, For we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one <4190>."
Lu 11:13 "If you then, being evil <4190>, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!"
Lu 11:29 And while the crowds were thickly gathered together, He began to say, "This is an evil <4190> generation. It seeks a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah the prophet.
Lu 11:34 "The lamp of the body is the eye. Therefore, when your eye is good, your whole body also is full of light. But when your eye is bad <4190>, your body also is full of darkness.
Lu 19:22 "And he said to him, ‘Out of your own mouth I will judge you, you wicked <4190> servant. You knew that I was an austere man, collecting what I did not deposit and reaping what I did not sow.
Joh 3:19 "And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil <4190>.
Joh 7:7 "The world cannot hate you, but it hates Me because I testify of it that its works are evil <4190>.
Joh 17:15 "I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one <4190>.
Ac 17:5 But the Jews who were not persuaded, becoming envious, took some of the evil <4190> men from the marketplace, and gathering a mob, set all the city in an uproar and attacked the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people.
Ac 18:14 And when Paul was about to open his mouth, Gallio said to the Jews, "If it were a matter of wrongdoing or wicked <4190> crimes, O Jews, there would be reason why I should bear with you.
Ac 19:12 so that even handkerchiefs or aprons were brought from his body to the sick, and the diseases left them and the evil <4190> spirits went out of them.
Ac 19:13 Then some of the itinerant Jewish exorcists took it upon themselves to call the name of the Lord Jesus over those who had evil <4190> spirits, saying, "We exorcise you by the Jesus whom Paul preaches."
Ac 19:15 And the evil <4190> spirit answered and said, "Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are you?"
Ac 19:16 Then the man in whom the evil <4190> spirit was leaped on them, overpowered them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
Ac 28:21 Then they said to him, "We neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the brethren who came reported or spoken any evil <4190> of you.
Ro 12:9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil <4190>. Cling to what is good.
1Co 5:13 But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person <4190>."
Ga 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil <4190> age, according to the will of our God and Father,
Eph 5:16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil <4190>.
Eph 6:13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil <4190> day, and having done all, to stand.
Eph 6:16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one <4190>.
Col 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked <4190> works, yet now He has reconciled
1Th 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil <4190>.
2Th 3:2 and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked <4190> men; for not all have faith.
2Th 3:3 But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one <4190>.
1Ti 6:4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil <4190> suspicions,
2Ti 3:13 But evil <4190> men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2Ti 4:18 And the Lord will deliver me from every evil <4190> work and preserve me for His heavenly kingdom. To Him be glory forever and ever. Amen!
Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil <4190> heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;
Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil <4190> conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.
Jas 2:4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil <4190> thoughts?
Jas 4:16 But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil <4190>.
1Jo 2:13 I write to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I write to you, young men, Because you have overcome the wicked one <4190>. I write to you, little children, Because you have known the Father.
1Jo 2:14 I have written to you, fathers, Because you have known Him who is from the beginning. I have written to you, young men, Because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, And you have overcome the wicked one <4190>.
1Jo 3:12 not as Cain who was of the wicked one <4190> and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his works were evil <4190> and his brother’s righteous.
1Jo 5:18 We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one <4190> does not touch him.
1Jo 5:19 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one <4190>.
2Jo 1:11 for he who greets him shares in his evil <4190> deeds.
3Jo 1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words <4190>. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
Re 16:2 So the first went and poured out his bowl upon the earth, and a foul and loathsome <4190> sore came upon the men who had the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his image.
Evil-'phaulos'- every NT instance
Evil-“phaulos fow’-los” is the bad chiefly as the worthless, the good for nothing.
Joh 3:20 "For everyone practicing evil <5337> hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Joh 5:29 "and come forth––those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil <5337>, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Tit 2:8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil <5337> to say of you.
Jas 3:16 For where envy and self–seeking exist, confusion and every evil <5337> thing are there.
Joh 3:20 "For everyone practicing evil <5337> hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed.
Joh 5:29 "and come forth––those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil <5337>, to the resurrection of condemnation.
Tit 2:8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil <5337> to say of you.
Jas 3:16 For where envy and self–seeking exist, confusion and every evil <5337> thing are there.
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