Turn from Your Evil Ways
Reading Scripture: Jeremiah 25:1-5
Verse to Memorize: 1 Thessalonians 5:22
Reference: Galatians 5:19-21 Goal: to help believers turn from their evil ways, act only in the truth, and receive answers and blessings Today there are many who believe in God, but there are few who practice the word of the truth. They just live as they please doing things that are evil. So, here we are going to look into the consequences that are brought upon those who do evil and what blessings that will be given to those who turn from their evil ways and walk in the truth.
- 1. God who wants us to turn from our evil ways
Jeremiah 25:1-5 describes that the Word of God came upon Jeremiah the prophet and admonished the people of Judah to turn from their evil ways. In those days, the northern kingdom of Israel had already fallen to Assyria. Now God's anger was about to come upon the southern kingdom of Judah, so Jeremiah felt so sorry with tears and proclaimed constantly that they should turn from their evil ways. The thing God hated the most was 'spiritual adultery'.
Here, spiritual adultery refers to leaving God and worshipping idols made of stones or trees although they had been taught to believe and obey God alone (Jeremiah 3:8-10). Even though God told them that serving other gods and worshipping idols are sins (Exodus 20:3-5), they went against the will of God and took the opposite way to Him. The people of Judah didn't want to reveal God's glory in their lives and they just committed many sins, which couldn't please God. In the end, the Word of God came to Jeremiah and he kept pointing out their sins and telling them to turn from their ways for 23 years. However, they didn't turn and rather tried to kill him (Jeremiah 38:4-6). Today, people should turn from their wrong ways in their lives in family, school, workplace, and the like. In family, we have things to do as a member of a family. It can be 'to serve one another' or 'do things that please each other'.
But many people don't do it themselves, but they repeatedly tell each other they should do it and frequently get angry. If the husband in a family drinks alcohol with his coworkers every day and comes home under the influence of alcohol, his family members must be suffering because of it. The same applies to the relation between God and us. In this modern society, sin and evil are rampant and countless kinds of evil things are being done by people such as fraud, adultery, murder, assault, drug use, kidnapping, and human trafficking. Such things should not exist among people. Then, do you think those who are believers in God do not do evils? Yes, they do. Even believers in the Lord commit many sins, big or small. Those sins are largely categorized into two: the deeds of the flesh that are committed in action and the things of the flesh desired in heart.
The greater of the two is the deeds of the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 reads, "Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God." Additionally, such sins as even God's children easily commit include jealousy, envy, grumbling, judging and condemnation, hatred, adultery, and lying. Ceasing to pray is also one of the sins they easily commit. God said we must not commit the sin of ceasing to pray. In 1 Samuel 12:23, we are told to 'pray without ceasing' and 'keep watching and praying.' If we don't turn from such evil ways, many kinds of pains, trials, tests, and afflictions will come to us. Moreover, if you keep doing evident deeds of the flesh such as immorality, sensuality, idolatry, strife, and carousing, you can't reach salvation as Romans 6:23 says, "The wages of sin is death."
- 2. A lesson gained through the Pharaoh of Egypt
When the Israelites were under the bondage of Egypt, God answered their cry and sent Moses to them as a leader who would deliver them from the bondage. In other words, God planned to lead them out of Egypt and into Canaan Land flowing with milk and honey by setting up Moses as their leader. So, Moses and Aaron went to the Pharaoh of Egypt and showed miracles of God to let him know that God had sent them to him (Exodus 7:9-10).
But he didn't listen to Moses, so God brought ten plagues on Egypt so that the Pharaoh could realize God's Word and turn from his evil ways. The first of the plagues turned all the water in Egypt to blood; the second was the plague of frogs; the third was gnats; the fourth was the swarming of insects; the fifth was a severe pestilence; the sixth was boils; the seventh was heavy hail; the eighth was locusts; the ninth was darkness; and the tenth was death of all the firstborns of Egypt. It was not until Pharaoh saw the tenth plague happen that he allowed the Israelites to depart from Egypt. However, he even changed his mind quickly. God foreknew that Pharaoh would change his mind again, so He let the Israelites prepare everything so that they could depart quickly.
Now all Egyptians also wanted them to leave Egypt promptly. But now that the Israelites had actually left them, Pharaoh's mind changed again and he chased after them on chariots. On the way he and his army with horses and chariots, ended up all dying in the midst of the Red Sea. What should we realize through the Pharaoh? When we know the will of God and obey it, it will lead to a blessing. On the contrary, if we don't, calamity will be brought upon us. If we turn from our ways quickly when God tells us to turn, our loss will be small. If we delay turning from our evil ways, we cannot but be faced with great loss to the extent that we delay. (Ref: Dr. Jaerock Lee's book Life of Disobedience, Life of Obedience)
- 3. Blessings when turning from evil ways
When we turn from our ways, we should turn from the bottom of our hearts. If we make up our minds, we should act in that decision until the end. Many worldly people change their resolution just three days after they make the resolution. But God's children can keep their resolution if they pray and receive grace and strength from above because the Spirit dwells in them. But if you seem to turn from your evil ways but go back to the ways again, it can't be said that you have turned from the ways.
In the Bible, although King David had committed sins before God he immediately turned from his sinful way shortly after he realized it. He committed adultery by laying with the wife of Uriah and conceived a plot that caused a righteous man, Uriah, to be killed (2 Samuel 11:2-27). But when Nathan came to him and pointed out his sin, he immediately repented (2 Samuel 12:1-23). He was forgiven by repenting, but a great affliction followed as the price of his sins. David passed through the affliction in a humble manner and became a great vessel to be a great king. What about King Hezekiah? In 2 Kings it says that he became mortally ill. He did right in the sight of God, but he became more arrogant as time went by. Eventually, he heard God's Word from Isaiah the prophet that he would die and no longer live.
Hezekiah turned from his sin and thoroughly repented. Then, God extended his life span even 15 years and promised him to protect his city from the hand of the king of Assyria. In the same way, if you sin against God, you must immediately turn from the way you are going. If you go to the west, though God told you to go to the east, you should completely turn around and go to the east. If you still go to the west from time to time, how can you say that you have turned from your evil way? When you keep what you decide to do without changing and practice it, God will give you His mercy and you can receive answers by His grace. 1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 reads, "Abstain from every form of evil. Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ."
So, I hope you will turn from evil ways, cast away every form of evil, and act only in the truth. I pray that by doing so your spirit and soul and body will be preserved complete without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Geuka kutoka Katika Njia Zako Mbaya
Usomaji wa Maandiko: Yeremia 25:1–5
Mstari wa Kukariri: 1 Wathesalonike 5:22
Rejea: Wagalatia 5:19–21. Lengo: Kuwasaidia waumini kugeuka kutoka katika njia zao mbaya, kutenda kweli pekee, na kupokea majibu na baraka. Leo kuna watu wengi wanaomwamini Mungu, lakini ni wachache wanaotenda Neno la kweli. Wengi huishi wanavyotaka na kufanya maovu. Kwa hiyo, tutaangalia matokeo yanayowapata watenda maovu na baraka wanazopokea wale wanaogeuka kutoka katika njia zao mbaya na kutembea katika kweli.
- 1. Mungu anataka tugeuke kutoka katika njia zetu mbaya
Yeremia 25:1–5 inaeleza kwamba Neno la Mungu lilimjia nabii Yeremia, naye akawaonya watu wa Yuda wageuke kutoka katika njia zao mbaya. Wakati huo, ufalme wa kaskazini wa Israeli ulikuwa tayari umeanguka mikononi mwa Ashuru. Sasa hasira ya Mungu ilikuwa karibu kuifikia Yuda, ufalme wa kusini. Yeremia aliwahurumia watu hao sana, akalia na kuendelea kuwatangazia wageuke kutoka katika njia zao mbaya. Jambo ambalo Mungu alilichukia zaidi lilikuwa “uzinzi wa kiroho.”
Uzinzi wa kiroho humaanisha kumwacha Mungu na kuabudu sanamu zilizotengenezwa kwa mawe au miti, ingawa walikuwa wamefundishwa kumwamini na kumtii Mungu pekee (Yeremia 3:8–10). Mungu alikuwa amewaambia kwamba kutumikia miungu mingine na kuabudu sanamu ni dhambi (Kutoka 20:3–5), lakini walitenda kinyume na mapenzi Yake na kuchagua njia inayomwacha. Watu wa Yuda hawakutaka kuonyesha utukufu wa Mungu katika maisha yao; walitenda dhambi nyingi ambazo hazikumpendeza Mungu. Mwishowe Neno la Mungu likamjia Yeremia, ambaye aliendelea kuwaonyesha dhambi zao na kuwaambia wageuke kwa miaka 23. Lakini hawakugeuka; badala yake walijaribu kumwua (Yeremia 38:4–6). Leo, watu wanapaswa kugeuka kutoka katika njia zisizofaa nyumbani, shuleni, kazini na kwingineko. Katika familia kila mmoja ana wajibu wake; huenda ukawa “kutumikiana” au “kufanya mambo yanayompendeza mwenzako.”
Hata hivyo, watu wengi hawafanyi mambo hayo wenyewe. Badala yake, huendelea kuambiana wafanye hivyo na mara nyingi hukasirika. Ikiwa mume anakunywa pombe kila siku pamoja na wafanyakazi wenzake na kurudi nyumbani akiwa amelewa, familia yake lazima inateseka kwa sababu hiyo. Ndivyo ilivyo pia katika uhusiano wetu na Mungu. Katika jamii ya leo, dhambi na uovu vimeenea, na watu hufanya maovu mengi ya kila aina, kama udanganyifu, uzinzi, mauaji, kushambulia watu, kutumia dawa za kulevya, kuteka nyara na kusafirisha watu kinyume cha sheria. Mambo hayo hayapaswi kuwepo miongoni mwa watu. Je, waumini wa Mungu hawatendi maovu? Ndiyo, hata waumini katika Bwana hutenda dhambi nyingi, kubwa na ndogo. Dhambi hizo zinaweza kugawanywa hasa katika makundi mawili: matendo ya mwili yanayofanywa kwa vitendo na tamaa za mwili zilizomo moyoni.
Matendo ya mwili ndiyo mabaya zaidi kati ya hayo mawili. Wagalatia 5:19–21 inasema, “Basi matendo ya mwili ni dhahiri, ndiyo haya, uasherati, uchafu, ufisadi, ibada ya sanamu, uchawi, uadui, ugomvi, wivu, hasira, fitina, faraka, uzushi, husuda, ulevi, ulafi na mambo yanayofanana na hayo; katika hayo nawaambia mapema, kama nilivyokwisha kuwaambia, ya kwamba watu watendao mambo ya jinsi hiyo hawataurithi ufalme wa Mungu.” Dhambi nyingine ambazo hata watoto wa Mungu hutenda kwa urahisi ni wivu, husuda, kunung’unika, kuwahukumu na kuwalaani wengine, chuki, uzinzi na kusema uongo. Kuacha kuomba pia ni dhambi ambayo watu hutenda kwa urahisi. Mungu alisema tusitende dhambi ya kuacha kuomba. Katika 1 Samweli 12:23 tunahimizwa “kuomba bila kukoma” na “kukesha na kuomba.” Tusipogeuka kutoka katika njia hizo mbaya, tutapatwa na maumivu, dhiki, majaribu na mateso ya aina nyingi. Zaidi ya hayo, ukiendelea kutenda matendo ya mwili yaliyo wazi kama uasherati, ufisadi, ibada ya sanamu, ugomvi na ulafi, huwezi kupata wokovu, kwa maana Warumi 6:23 inasema, “Mshahara wa dhambi ni mauti.”
- 2. Somo tunalojifunza kupitia Farao wa Misri
Waisraeli walipokuwa utumwani Misri, Mungu alisikia kilio chao na kumtuma Musa awe kiongozi wa kuwaokoa kutoka utumwani. Kwa maneno mengine, Mungu alipanga kuwatoa Misri na kuwaingiza Kanaani, nchi iliyotiririka maziwa na asali, kwa kumweka Musa kuwa kiongozi wao. Kwa hiyo Musa na Haruni wakaenda kwa Farao wa Misri na kumwonyesha miujiza ya Mungu ili ajue kwamba Mungu ndiye aliyewatuma kwake (Kutoka 7:9–10).
Farao hakumsikiliza Musa, kwa hiyo Mungu akaleta mapigo kumi juu ya Misri ili Farao alitambue Neno la Mungu na ageuke kutoka katika njia zake mbaya. Pigo la kwanza liligeuza maji yote ya Misri kuwa damu; la pili lilikuwa vyura; la tatu chawa; la nne makundi ya wadudu; la tano tauni kali; la sita majipu; la saba mvua kubwa ya mawe; la nane nzige; la tisa giza; na la kumi vifo vya wazaliwa wa kwanza wote wa Misri. Farao hakuwaruhusu Waisraeli kuondoka hadi alipoona pigo la kumi likitokea. Hata hivyo, alibadili mawazo upesi. Mungu alijua kwamba Farao angebadili mawazo tena, kwa hiyo akawawezesha Waisraeli kujiandaa ili waondoke haraka.
Wamisri wote sasa walitaka Waisraeli waondoke upesi. Lakini baada tu ya Waisraeli kuondoka, Farao akabadilisha mawazo tena na kuwafuatilia kwa magari ya vita. Hatimaye yeye na jeshi lake, pamoja na farasi na magari yao, wakafa katikati ya Bahari ya Shamu. Tunapaswa kujifunza nini kutokana na Farao? Tunapojua mapenzi ya Mungu na kuyatii, tunapata baraka. Tusipofanya hivyo, maafa hutupata. Mungu anapotuambia tugeuke, tukigeuka mara moja hasara yetu huwa ndogo. Tukichelewa kugeuka kutoka katika njia zetu mbaya, hasara tunayopata huzidi kadiri tunavyochelewa. (Rejea: kitabu cha Dkt. Jaerock Lee, *Maisha ya Kutotii, Maisha ya Utii*.)
- 3. Baraka tunapogeuka kutoka katika njia mbaya
Tunapogeuka kutoka katika njia zetu, tunapaswa kufanya hivyo kwa moyo wote. Tukiamua jambo, tunapaswa kudumu katika uamuzi huo hadi mwisho. Watu wengi wa ulimwengu hubadili azimio lao siku tatu tu baada ya kulifanya. Lakini watoto wa Mungu wanaweza kudumu katika azimio lao wakisali na kupokea neema na nguvu kutoka juu, kwa sababu Roho anakaa ndani yao. Ukionekana kugeuka kutoka katika njia zako mbaya kisha ukarudia njia hizo, haiwezi kusemwa kwamba umegeuka kweli.
Katika Biblia, Mfalme Daudi alitenda dhambi mbele za Mungu, lakini aligeuka mara moja alipoitambua. Alifanya uzinzi kwa kulala na mke wa Uria, kisha akapanga njama iliyosababisha Uria, mtu mwenye haki, auawe (2 Samweli 11:2–27). Nabii Nathani alipomjia na kumwonyesha dhambi yake, Daudi akatubu mara moja (2 Samweli 12:1–23). Alisamehewa kwa kutubu, lakini akapatwa na mateso makubwa kama matokeo ya dhambi zake. Daudi alivumilia mateso hayo kwa unyenyekevu na akawa chombo kikuu, mfalme mkuu. Vipi kuhusu Mfalme Hezekia? 2 Wafalme inasema kwamba aliugua sana kiasi cha kukaribia kufa. Alitenda yaliyo sawa mbele za Mungu, lakini kadiri muda ulivyopita akawa na kiburi zaidi. Hatimaye nabii Isaya akamfikishia Neno la Mungu kwamba angekufa wala hataishi.
Hezekia akageuka kutoka katika dhambi yake na kutubu kabisa. Ndipo Mungu akaongeza miaka 15 katika maisha yake na kumwahidi kuulinda mji wake dhidi ya mfalme wa Ashuru. Vivyo hivyo, ukitenda dhambi dhidi ya Mungu, unapaswa kugeuka mara moja kutoka katika njia unayopita. Ukienda magharibi ilhali Mungu amekuambia uende mashariki, geuka kabisa na uende mashariki. Ukiendelea kwenda magharibi mara kwa mara, unawezaje kusema umegeuka kutoka katika njia yako mbaya? Unapodumu katika uamuzi wako na kuutekeleza bila kubadilika, Mungu atakuonyesha rehema Yake na kwa neema Yake utapokea majibu. 1 Wathesalonike 5:22–23 inasema, “Jiepusheni na ubaya wa kila namna. Mungu wa amani mwenyewe awatakase kabisa; nanyi roho zenu na nafsi zenu na miili yenu mhifadhiwe mwe kamili, bila lawama, wakati wa kuja kwake Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.”
Kwa hiyo, natumaini utageuka kutoka katika njia mbaya, kutupilia mbali kila namna ya uovu na kutenda kweli pekee. Ninaomba kwamba ukifanya hivyo, roho, nafsi na mwili wako vihifadhiwe kamili bila lawama wakati wa kuja kwa Bwana wetu Yesu Kristo.