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The concept of keeping evil away is a recurring theme throughout the Bible, emphasizing the importance of living a life that is pleasing to God and resisting the temptations and influences of evil. This entry explores the biblical teachings and principles related to avoiding evil, drawing from various passages and teachings.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament provides numerous instructions and examples of how to keep evil at bay. In the book of Deuteronomy, God commands the Israelites to avoid idolatry and the practices of the surrounding nations, which are considered evil in His sight.Deuteronomy 7:26 warns, "Do not bring a detestable thing into your house or you, like it, will be set apart for destruction. Regard it as vile and utterly detest it, for it is set apart for destruction."

The Psalms also offer guidance on avoiding evil.Psalm 34:14 advises, "Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it." This verse highlights the active role believers must take in rejecting evil and pursuing righteousness.

Wisdom Literature

The wisdom literature of the Bible, particularly the book of Proverbs, provides practical advice on keeping evil away.Proverbs 4:27 instructs, "Do not swerve to the right or to the left; turn your feet away from evil." This metaphorical language underscores the importance of staying on the path of righteousness and not being led astray by evil influences.

Proverbs 16:6 further emphasizes the role of love and faithfulness in atoning for sin and keeping evil at bay: "By loving devotion and faithfulness iniquity is atoned for, and by the fear of the LORD one turns away from evil."

New Testament Teachings

In the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus and the apostles continue to stress the importance of avoiding evil. Jesus, in the Lord's Prayer, instructs His followers to pray for deliverance from evil: "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (Matthew 6:13).

The apostle Paul, in his letters, frequently warns against the dangers of evil and provides guidance on how to resist it. InRomans 12:9, he writes, "Love must be sincere. Detest what is evil; cling to what is good." This exhortation calls believers to have a genuine love that rejects evil and embraces goodness.

Paul also advises the Ephesians to "Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes" (Ephesians 6:11). This metaphor of spiritual armor illustrates the proactive measures Christians must take to protect themselves from evil influences.

Practical Steps for Believers

The Bible offers several practical steps for believers to keep evil away. These include:

1.Prayer and Dependence on God: Regular prayer and reliance on God's strength are essential in resisting evil. As Jesus taught, prayer is a means of seeking divine protection from evil.

2.Scripture Study and Meditation: Immersing oneself in God's Word provides wisdom and guidance for recognizing and avoiding evil.Psalm 119:11 states, "I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You."

3.Community and Accountability: Engaging with a community of believers provides support and accountability in the pursuit of righteousness.Hebrews 10:24-25 encourages believers to "spur one another on toward love and good deeds" and not to neglect meeting together.

4.Moral Vigilance: Being vigilant about one's thoughts, actions, and associations helps in maintaining a life free from evil influences.Philippians 4:8 advises believers to focus on whatever is true, noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable.

By adhering to these biblical principles, believers can effectively keep evil away and live lives that honor God.Philippians 4:8
Finally, brothers, whatever things are true, whatever things are honest, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
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Matthew 18:20
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the middle of them.
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James 5:16
Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that you may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
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2 Corinthians 5:9-10
Why we labor, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
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Philippians 3:14
I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
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If You Wish Me toKeep Silence, Cease from Accusing Me. Lay Down...
... The impious exalt contumely. [3213] Remove from thee theevil mouth,keep far from
thee... [3236] It is a glory to a man to turnaway fromevil words; but he...

"Wash You, Make You Clean; PutAway theEvil of Your Doings from...
... Is it not rather tokeep ourselves henceforth clean, that we may be presented holy
and unblameable in his sight,"that we... Who putsaway theevil of these...

"Wash You, Make You Clean, PutAway theEvil of Your Doings from...
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must be takenaway, and so... fain have his salvation, if I mightkeep my sin...

The Testament of Asher Concerning Two Faces of vice and virtue.
... From wickedness fleeaway, destroying the devil by your good works; for they that
are double...Keep the law of the Lord, and give not heed untoevil as unto...

Man is Endowed with the Faculty of Distinguishing Good andEvil...
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diligentlykeep it with... to God: in the first place, castingaway, by means of...

God did not MakeEvil, nor is He at all in any Way the Author of...
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it, is calledevil.... question of the Pharisees about puttingaway a wife...

"Thou ShallKeep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on...
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Hebrews viii. 1, 2
... and never at any time to admit it, but to wipeaway also the... Otherskeep evil vigil
through the night weaving, and worse than those who sleep, schemes of deceit...

Psalm LIX.
... May God therefore turnaway from our imitation these strong men....The same are... the
left." [2241] Upon the rightkeep good men, on the leftkeep evil men, [2242...

The Testament of Dan Concerning Anger and Lying.
...Keep therefore yourselves, my children, from everyevil work, and castaway wrath
and all lying, and love truth and long-suffering; and the things which ye...

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