Keep alert! Remain vigilant! These are words to the wise, especially in matters of living the Christian faith.
Every day, temptations present themselves, situations arise and confrontations rear up. They challenge us to compromise our faith and what scriptures say is right or wrong.
Some people face the temptation of cheating on a spouse, to return to an abandoned destructive habit, or to start a destructive habit or addiction. There are circumstances when angry words are exchanged over a misunderstanding, or when people feel cheated or swindled by unscrupulous business people, or by seemingly unfair laws of government.
Yet, every day we need to be vigilant because one little slip in our watchfulness can get us in a whole lot of trouble. The strength of your faith will determine how vigilant you remain and how you respond to life’s circumstances.
In Romans 12, the apostle Paul offers some excellent guidance for remaining vigilant. “Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.”
“Let love be genuine.” Don’t just give lip-service to saying you care about people and their circumstances in life. Be genuine. Talk with people. Show interest in them. Be concerned for their welfare.
“Hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.” When you hate what is evil, if you do your best to get rid of it, evil will be destroyed. When holding to what is good, there is no room for evil to take hold, for your heart is already full.
“Love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor.” Respect others just as much — or more than — you respect yourself. Can you imagine what it might be like?
These are challenging words from Paul. However, when you give your heart to Jesus, a transformation takes place. You are called to put on a new life. Paul says in Romans 6:6: “We know that our old self was crucified with Jesus so that the body of sin might be destroyed, and we might no longer be enslaved to sin.”
When you give your life to Jesus, love becomes genuine. You learn to love others with mutual affection. You learn to outdo others in showing honor, and so much more. It is in Jesus that you find strength to live the life he has set before you.
Keep alert! Remain vigilant! With vigilance, perseverance and renewing of your mind and heart, new life will come — a new life full of blessing and honor.
The Rev. Mark Broadhead is pastor at Laurel Hill Presbyterian Church and First Presbyterian Church of Crestview.
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Be watchful and avoid temptation