“Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God.” 3 John 11

We are to be imitators of God; God is good (Mathew 19:17). So, how do we know what evil is? After all, our hearts can deceive us (Jeremiah 17:9); God says, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies.” (Mathew 15:19). Evil may even be acceptable or even good for one person.  

Look at what Isaiah says, “Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” Isaiah 5:20

Evil pursues sinners (Proverbs 13:21)

An evil man seeks only rebellion (Proverbs 17:11)

He who has a perverse tongue falls into evil (Proverbs 17:20)

Evil men do not understand justice (Proverbs 28:5)

We need the Holy Spirit’s help to acquire a renewed heart and to be able to walk in God’s ways. Reading the Bible will show us who God is and what is acceptable and not acceptable.   

Pray, “Do not incline my heart to any evil thing, To practice wicked works With men who work iniquity; And do not let me eat of their delicacies.” Psalm 141:4