Wisdom Study Session 6: "To fear the Lord is to hate evil.”

Another key aspect of fearing the Lord is to abhor, be repulsed by, evil. Exodus 18:21, Sirach 8:13, cf. Psalm 36:1. Therefore, those who fear the Lord avoid situations where they will be tempted to evil. Tobit 4:21, Job 1:1 & 8, Job 2:3, Psalm 34:11-14, Proverbs 3:7, Proverbs 23:17. They also do their best to get rid of/away from evil when it comes into their lives. Job 28:28, Psalm 34:11-14. They refuse to engage in it when confronted by it. Exodus 1:17. Proverbs 8:13 puts it well: to “fear the Lord is to hate evil.”

Jesus and the New Testament writers share that hatred of evil. They too stress the need to avoid evil. Matthew 6:13, Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 11:14, Luke 22:40, Luke 22:46, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 John 7-8. They place great emphasis on removing it when it is in our lives. Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 18:8-9, Mark 9:43-47, 2 Timothy 2:22.

So how do we do that? After all, there is a LOT of evil in this world. Scripture gives us several specific instructions.

Initially, we must be alert to the fact that evil and temptations to it exist, and be on our guard against them. Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, 1 Corinthians 10:12, 1 Peter 5:8-9, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 Peter 3:17, 2 John 7-8.  We need to pay particular attention to our “triggers,” things that predictably lure us into sin. Jesus was very clear on this point—we have to identify them and do whatever it takes to get/keep them out of our lives. Matthew 5:29-30, Matthew 18:8-9, Mark 9:43-47.

Prayer is key in this. Jesus and His disciples placed great emphasis on explicitly asking God to help us avoid sin and evil. Matthew 26:41, Mark 14:38, Luke 22:40, Luke 22:46. Indeed, that is one of the things He told us to ask for when He taught us the Lord’s Prayer/Our Father. Matthew 6:13, Luke 11:14.

Another, related, approach is to stay focused on God and on affirmatively doing good. Tobit 4:21, Psalm 34:11-14, 2 Timothy 2:22, 2 Peter 3:17-18. We can do that by keeping our minds on particular tasks, things, He wants us to be working on and by keeping our eyes open for ways to help folks in need. 

Another way is by surrounding ourselves with godly folks. 2 Timothy 2:22, 1 Peter 5:8-9. 

Consciously, intentionally, focusing on scripture is yet another powerful technique; Jesus gave us a great example of this in His triumph over temptation. Matthew 4:1-11, Luke 4:1-13. 

The common dynamic in all of these is that we are far less likely to engage in evil if we are actively seeking God and to advance is kingdom.