Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Innocence, Pursue Righteousness

In 1 Corinthians 14:20, believers are encouraged to be "infants in evil," which means maintaining innocence and purity in the face of evil. This involves not immersing oneself in the study of false religions or the practices of false teachers, as these can lead to distractions and pride. Instead, the focus should be on maturing in the understanding of righteousness and deepening knowledge of God's truth. By doing so, believers are naturally equipped to discern falsehoods without needing to study them extensively. This approach not only protects from being led astray but also keeps the focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our growth in righteousness. [00:29]

"For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them; but whoever listens to me will dwell secure and will be at ease, without dread of disaster." (Proverbs 1:32-33, ESV)

Reflection: In what areas of your life do you need to embrace innocence and focus on righteousness instead of being distracted by false teachings or practices?

Day 2: Immerse in Truth to Discern Falsehood

The analogy of bank tellers who handle real money to detect counterfeits illustrates how believers should approach their spiritual lives. By immersing themselves in the truth of God's Word, they become adept at recognizing falsehoods without needing to study them extensively. This approach keeps the focus on truth and prevents unnecessary distractions. It is essential to prioritize the study of God's Word, allowing it to guide and shape one's understanding, so that when falsehoods arise, they are easily identifiable. [09:34]

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect." (Romans 12:2, ESV)

Reflection: How can you immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word this week to better discern truth from falsehood in your daily life?

Day 3: Avoid Pride and Distraction

Critiquing false teachers or controversial events can lead to pride and distraction. Instead, believers are encouraged to concentrate on their personal walk with God and the ministry He has given them. By focusing on personal growth and the responsibilities entrusted to them, they avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-righteousness that can arise from constantly critiquing others. This focus ensures that their energy is directed towards what truly matters—growing in their relationship with God and fulfilling their God-given purpose. [04:15]

"Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another." (Galatians 5:26, ESV)

Reflection: Are there areas in your life where you find yourself critiquing others instead of focusing on your personal walk with God? How can you redirect your energy towards your spiritual growth and ministry?

Day 4: Use Time Wisely, Prioritize Spiritual Growth

Believers are encouraged to be discerning about how they spend their time, especially when it comes to studying false beliefs. The primary goal should be to mature in the understanding of God's truth, allowing it to guide all aspects of life. While there may be times when understanding false beliefs is necessary for evangelism or protecting others, it is crucial to weigh the benefits carefully and ensure that efforts are aligned with God's purpose for one's life and ministry. [08:22]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16, ESV)

Reflection: How can you better prioritize your time this week to focus on spiritual growth and your relationship with God?

Day 5: Evangelism and Protection with Discernment

While understanding false beliefs can be necessary for evangelism or protecting others, believers must weigh the benefits carefully. It is essential to ensure that efforts are aligned with God's purpose for one's life and ministry. By focusing on maturing in the understanding of God's truth, believers are better equipped to engage in evangelism and protect others from falsehoods. This approach ensures that their efforts are effective and aligned with God's will. [13:25]

"Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain." (1 Corinthians 15:58, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you align your efforts in evangelism and protection with God's purpose for your life and ministry? How can you ensure that your actions are guided by His truth?

Sermon Summary

In today's reflection, we explored the concept of being "infants in evil" as instructed in 1 Corinthians 14:20. This idea encourages us to remain innocent and untainted by evil, focusing instead on maturing in our understanding of righteousness. We delved into the importance of not immersing ourselves in the study of false religions or the practices of false teachers, as this can lead to unnecessary distractions and pride. Instead, we should concentrate on deepening our knowledge of God's truth, which will naturally equip us to discern falsehoods.

We also discussed the futility of spending time analyzing or critiquing well-known false teachers or controversial events, such as the so-called Baal worship performance at the Commonwealth Games. Our responsibility is not to judge others but to focus on our personal walk with God and the ministry He has entrusted to us. By doing so, we avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-righteousness that can arise from constantly critiquing others.

The analogy of bank tellers who handle real money to detect counterfeits was used to illustrate how we should approach our spiritual lives. By immersing ourselves in the truth of God's Word, we become adept at recognizing falsehoods without needing to study them extensively. This approach not only protects us from being led astray but also keeps our focus on what truly matters—our relationship with God and our growth in righteousness.

In conclusion, while there may be times when understanding false beliefs is necessary for evangelism or protecting others, we must be wise in how we allocate our time and energy. Our primary goal should be to mature in our understanding of God's truth, allowing it to guide us in all aspects of life.

Key Takeaways

1. Be Infants in Evil: Embrace innocence when it comes to evil, focusing instead on maturing in righteousness. This means not giving undue attention to false teachings or practices that do not edify our spiritual growth. [00:29]
2. Focus on Truth: Like bank tellers who handle real money to detect counterfeits, immerse yourself in God's Word to naturally discern falsehoods. This approach keeps your focus on truth and prevents unnecessary distractions. [09:34]
3. Avoid Pride and Distraction: Critiquing false teachers or controversial events can lead to pride and distraction. Instead, concentrate on your personal walk with God and the ministry He has given you. [04:15]
4. Wise Use of Time: Be discerning about how you spend your time, especially when it comes to studying false beliefs. Prioritize your spiritual growth and relationship with God over satisfying curiosity about evil. [08:22]
5. Evangelism and Protection: While understanding false beliefs can be necessary for evangelism or protecting others, weigh the benefits carefully. Ensure that your efforts are aligned with God's purpose for your life and ministry. [13:25]
** [13:25]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:14] - Introduction to the Topic
[00:29] - Be Infants in Evil
[01:06] - Wisdom and Innocence
[01:55] - Avoiding Distractions
[03:08] - Handling False Teachers
[04:15] - Focus on Personal Ministry
[05:30] - The Futility of Critiquing
[06:40] - Keeping Eyes Open
[07:50] - The Danger of Strange Curiosity
[08:53] - The Bank Teller Analogy
[10:15] - Evangelism and Knowledge
[11:47] - Equipping for Evangelism
[13:25] - Protecting and Informing
[14:24] - Conclusion and Wisdom

Bible Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading
- 1 Corinthians 14:20
- Romans 16:19
- Ephesians 5:12

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Observation Questions

What does it mean to be "infants in evil" according to 1 Corinthians 14:20, and how does this concept relate to our spiritual maturity? [00:29]
How does Romans 16:19 encourage believers to be wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil? [01:06]
In what way does the analogy of bank tellers handling real money help us understand how to discern falsehoods in our spiritual lives? [09:34]
What are some examples given in the sermon of distractions that can lead us away from focusing on our personal walk with God? [04:15]

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Interpretation Questions

How can the instruction to be "infants in evil" help believers avoid the pitfalls of pride and self-righteousness? [04:15]
What might be the consequences of spending too much time analyzing false teachings or controversial events, according to the sermon? [07:23]
How does the sermon suggest we balance the need to understand false beliefs for evangelism with the need to focus on our spiritual growth? [10:15]
In what ways can being overly curious about evil or false teachings be detrimental to our spiritual health? [08:22]

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Application Questions

Reflect on your current spiritual practices. Are there areas where you might be giving undue attention to false teachings or controversies? How can you refocus on your personal walk with God? [04:15]
Consider the analogy of bank tellers. How can you immerse yourself more deeply in God's Word to better discern truth from falsehood in your daily life? [09:34]
Identify a situation where you might have been tempted to critique others rather than focusing on your own spiritual growth. How can you shift your focus to avoid pride and distraction? [04:15]
Think about your use of time. Are there activities or interests that might be distracting you from maturing in righteousness? How can you prioritize your spiritual growth this week? [08:22]
If you have friends or family members involved in false beliefs, how can you wisely engage with them in a way that aligns with God's purpose for your life and ministry? [13:25]
What specific steps can you take to ensure that your curiosity about the world does not lead you away from focusing on your relationship with God? [07:23]
How can you apply the principle of being "wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil" in your interactions with others this week? [01:06]

Sermon Clips

Brothers do not be children in your thinking be infants in evil but in your thinking be mature it's that little four words there be infants in evil what is it what do you think that means what does it mean to be an infant in evil just very little just being yeah very little don't give yourself to maturing then don't give yourself to that. [00:26:41]

you know there's all sorts of things that I don't need to spend my life for instance studying all about false religions I don't need to spend all my time studying Islam studying Catholicism studying Mormonism studying the Jehovah's Witnesses now you know what as much as my evangelism might be helped by understanding what some people believe I think it can be helpful. [01:15:38]

Conrad Murrell writing in one of his gate posts somebody asked about like what do we do about the big name false teachers and he said you don't do anything what do you have to do with them this is not to say that their Ministries are all counterfeit or useless we are not required to say either unless we know Jesus said in John 21 what is that to you you follow me. [03:06:18]

you have enough to do without embittering yourself fighting against flesh and blood it will only swell you with pride over your own self-righteousness get on with your own personal work and refuse to be distracted by cat calls taunts and questions from the sidelines these men's apparent success means nothing God is keeping the records The Laurels or sensors of men do not influence him. [04:15:06]

I don't believe what Joel Olsteen believes and I don't believe what I don't believe what Copeland believes and I I just don't really need to concern my life with these guys quite honestly you don't need to sit there and study them I mean sometimes you know some of that stuff can I guess be entertaining but it's it's I I agree with with Conrad Murrell. [06:02:55]

I like I'll tell you another place I think when people study too much about false religion when people study too much about demons when people study too much about the devil too much about witchcraft too much about the occult too much about these things there's just no reason to go there why do you need to do that I mean fill your life with all it can become a very strange curiosity. [07:35:46]

people that spend enormous amount of times studying like all the false prophets all the false teachers all the faults everything it's it's just like you know you could be spending all that time in the word and and why why give yourself to being so knowledgeable about what's false rather there's no end to what's false what we need to be is we need to be mature when it comes to what the truth is. [08:12:19]

the illustration of the dollar bill is working at the bank you're you're working with legitimate money all day long just all day you're handling it you're looking at it I mean you know the smell you know the feel you know the exact that the exact material how it rubs up against your skin as you're you know filing through it or something you're how you're counting it. [08:51:53]

when certain government entities want to train people to decipher counterfeit money they don't show them counterfeit money all day they show them the true thing all day and that's that's where we should be how are we going to spot the counterfeit not by studying all the counterfeits the way you're going to know the counterfeit is by knowing that what the true dollar looks like. [09:41:58]

I would say we need to weigh it out based on evangelism but if you've got like a mother you've got you've got aunts and uncles or whatever in your family and they're still in those circles and you having you know some kind of working knowledge if I've if I had a mom who was you know watching Joel Osteen all the time yeah then there may be a place to have to be equip myself to try to help my mom. [11:33:48]

as much as it has to do with evangelism or protecting yeah there can be a place to make ourselves knowledgeable if it has to do with good it and it's not just this uh this curiosity you know sometimes we can just waste a lot of time because we're curious about things and we we we spend all this time kind of in informing ourselves about what is evil when it doesn't really bear a lot of fruit in our lives. [13:20:02]

I think your understanding of evil becomes uh it it becomes actually good if if it's for good purposes I mean if the if a pastor is having to deal with some kind of error in the church or some kind of influence from somebody that's happening in the church I mean there can be you know it can be wise to actually figure out what's infecting the group of people that the spirit has made me an overseer over. [14:06:39]

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Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith

Devotional

Day 1: Embrace Innocence, Pursue Righteousness

Day 2: Immerse in Truth to Discern Falsehood

Day 3: Avoid Pride and Distraction

Day 4: Use Time Wisely, Prioritize Spiritual Growth

Day 5: Evangelism and Protection with Discernment

Sermon Summary

Key Takeaways

Youtube Chapters

Bible Study Guide

Sermon Clips

Chatbot

Growing in Righteousness: Embracing Innocence in Faith

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