In the text of my pastor's sermon today, there was this verse: (Amplified) Romans 16:19 "For while your loyalty and obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I would have you well versed and wise as to what is good and innocent and guileless as to what is evil." For some reason this verse struck me today. God has been working in my heart about this topic even before we read this verse today, and when I ponder this verse, I see both a physical and spiritual application.
Is it possible to be well versed and wise to what is good and guileless as to what is evil in today's world? The answer, based on what I read in God's Word, is yes. Would it be easy to be this type of person in today's world? No. In the physical realm, I think it would take a committment, and work to be a person like this. For example, I watch a show on TV which features a family who by all accounts are extremely conservative. They are Christians, and when they live out their Christian lives, they run VERY counter-culture. The women wear dresses, they do not watch television, and the children are very limited in their internet use. They do not watch movies, and in one episode they were introduced to Brandy Chastain and they had no clue who she was. I've read some websites about this family, and the majority of people think that this family is nuts. But, when I watched that episode, it occurred to me that without all of the influence of the world, these kids have a much different path of following God. They don't have to be let down by public figures who, in their sinful nature, do not live up to people's expectations. I think this concept of being innocent to evil is what is attractive to me about the Amish. Their lives are different because they have chosen to block out the world's influence on their lives.
Please know that I don't think anyone is more or less "spiritual" based on whether or not they watch tv, wear pants, go to movies, listen to secular music etc. I am just musing about what are the consequences of letting these things into our lives. I am not, and am not asking you to judge people, but to look into this concept and see how it might change your life. The world is becoming more and more perverse, and it is more difficult to allow even parts of the world into a Christian's life without terrible consequences. I've noticed for several years that it's not just television, but commercials that are offensive. So, in order to watch television, I must be vigilant about the commercials because I don't want my sense of what's right and pure to be eroded by these images on the screen. For me the result has been that fewer and fewer things are even worth the vigilance needed.
So, what happens when we are wise to good and guileless to evil? I think we focus on the right thing. The Bible says to "Fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith". We cannot forget that directive. The Bible tells us over and over to come out from among them and be separate, and to "love not the world". So, this verse calling us to be wise unto that which is good, and guileless to evil fits in with what is taught. Also, I think that whatever we focus on in life becomes magnified. So, if you focus on evil; either with enjoyment or even in a "warfare" context you are magnifiying the evil. I believe our answers for healing, deliverance and for purity are all summed up in the idea of being wise to good and guileless to evil. No good can come from focusing on the devil, demons, curses etc. I return again to the words of the hymn Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus. "Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of His Glory and Grace." I know this has happened in my own life.
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