Right-click to download PDF version

Believers are told that they must remain in the world, and yet not be a part of it. But just how far should you go in avoiding the world’s ways?

Joseph had proved himself to be a hard worker. Even though his brothers sold him into slavery, he still applied Elohim’s laws about diligent service (Ecclesiastes 9:10/Ephesians 6:5-6)

      On more than one occasion, Potiphar’s wife made advances that would have tempted any red-blooded young man. Joseph, however, considered Elohim’s commands more attractive than the body of this Egyptian woman, and instead of heeding her alluring words, Joseph ran as fast as he could away from the enticing situation. Joseph didn’t want to stay around to see how well he could resist the temptation. He knew he must, at all costs, avoid any situation that might lead to sin.

Overriding Principle

When Paul tells us that we must “flee fornication” (1st Corinthians 6:18), he is stating a principle that applies to all aspects of Elohim’s Laws, not just those with sexual overtones. Whether the temptation is to steal, murder, covet, or break one of Elohim’s spiritual laws, we must put as much space between us, and the troublesome situation.

It is crucial to coming out of this world! And since it is better to prevent the temptation from arising in the first place than to try and extract ourselves once the difficulty as occurred, we should be aware of the various factors that contribute to those potentially dangerous, spiritual speaking situations.

Four main areas

Here then, are four main areas we need to consider if we are to follow Paul’s admonition to “flee” from the face of sin.

Avoid a wrong environment

When the Israelites entered the promised land, they were given instructions concerning the inhabitants: “But of the cities of these peoples which YHWH your Elohim gives you as an inheritance, you shall let nothing that breathes remain alive, but you shall utterly destroy them…as YHWH your Elohim as commanded you” (Deuteronomy 20:16-17).

But Israel failed to follow orders: “And it came to pass, when Israel was strong, that they put the Canaanites under tribute, but did not completely drive them out” (Judges 1:28). See also verses 29-33. Then, as a direct result of the influence of those pagan nations them around them, “The children of Israel did evil in the sight of Yahweh… and they followed other gods from among the gods of the people who were all around them, and thy provoked Yahweh to anger” (Judges 2:11-12).

Israel put itself in the wrong environment. The temptation of the heathen practices around them proved too great for the people to withstand. In our daily lives we must come into contact with the world. Yet drawing too close to any of these aspects of society will, eventually, cause wrong influences to rub off onto us. This is the Satan’s world. He has fashioned all its ways. Therefore we must carefully consider the kind of environment in which we spend time.

Avoid the appearance of evil

Under this heading we might include acts that might cause offense to others. Concerning those who were vegetarians, Paul wrote: “But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walk you not charitably. Destroy him not with your meat, for whom did Messiah died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of” (Romans 14:15-16). The principle is clear: It is often better to avoid an action that another might construe as sin.

Avoid certain people

As members of the body of Messiah we must be friendly, helpful, and courteous. Yet for our own protection and for the eternal good of those involved, there are certain individuals with whom we should have no contact. In some extreme cases, the Congregation is forced to mark such individuals (Romans 16:17-18).

Being around people who criticize the Body of Messiah, who bad-mouth other Brethren is not conducive to being a believer. It is easy to listen to negative comments and soon become ensnared in a wrong attitude ourselves.

Romans 14:1 tells us not to receive those who are weak in the faith if doing so will cause us to doubt.

We must be careful about associating with certain people:

“But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner – not even to eat with such a person. Therefore ‘put away from yourselves that wicked person’ “ (1st Corinthians 5:11, 13).

Why would any of Yahweh’s people want to be in constant, close association with people who show by their conduct that they are especially hostile to Yahweh’s law and way of life.

Avoid unholy talk

Yahshua said that out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45). Obviously, lies and misuse of Yahweh’s name should not form part of a believer’s communication, but our responsibility for our words goes further. Many people in this world delight in telling “blue” jokes or smutty stories. This is not the believer’s way to use your tongue.

“But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you….neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting… For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret” (Ephesians 5:3-4, 12).

We need to choose our words carefully. When we speak, it should always be to the profit or edification of the listener.

Replace evil with positive action

These four main areas cover the negative side of life. We must be aware of the pitfalls of following such ways.

However, to end on a positive note, it is worth remembering that each of these four points does have a counterpart – a correct action we should practice.

For example we should spend time in an uplifting environment. Being close to the wonder and beauty of Yahweh’s creation is an inspiring experience. Trees, flowers, animals, even the stars, remind us of the constructive power of Yahweh.

When we give of our time in service to others, this creates a good appearance and causes Yahshua’s body to have a good name (Matthew 5:14-16).

Spending time with solid, positive, humble members of Yahweh’s Congregation will produce the proper kind of personal relationships with the right people (Malachi 3:16, Proverbs 27:17). And finally, a careful choice of words can encourage and promote wholesome conversations between individuals who care for each other and for Elohim’s way (Proverbs 25:11).

Having examined these four areas of our lives, we need to consider our responses as we face such situations. Are we putting a wide safety margin between us and dubious encounters? Or, on the other hand, are we anxious to remain as close as possible to this world, perhaps actually breaking Yahweh’s law as we do so? Joseph Knew how he should respond. He fled from dangerous situations. Do we?