Approving of Evil

Scripture:

“But I have a few complaints against you. You tolerate some among you whose teaching is like that of Balaam, who showed Balak how to trip up the people of Israel. He taught them to sin by eating food offered to idols and by committing sexual sin. In a similar way, you have some Nicolaitans among you who follow the same teaching. Repent of your sin, or I will come to you suddenly and fight against them with the sword of my mouth." (Revelation 2:14-16)

Observation:

This is an interesting scripture. Jesus is rebuking the Church in Pergamum for tolerance. There were some in that church who were tripping people up by teaching them pagan rituals. The Nicolaitans are the ones practicing these sins, but it's interesting that they are not the ones being corrected. Jesus is telling Pergamum to repent. Sometimes looking the other way is just as bad as committing the sin yourself. It's kind of funny how in this day and age even in Christianity were taught to be tolerant of just about anything.

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:6-7)

Application:

I fall into this all the time. Someone I know who is a Christian or claims to be a Christian, is either drinking, doing drugs, committing sexual sin, speaking foolish things, stealing or cheating, and I don't say anything, in the name of tolerance. Or sometimes I will even join in the foolish conversation. We have this enormous pressure to look the other way. Because when you do say something this is what you always hear, "Don't judge!", or "Stop being such a legalistic Pharisee", "Or take the log out of your own eye first."

In no way do I think I am perfect or holy, but I would hope that if another Christian heard that I was out drinking or flirting with women or doing drugs, that they would confront me about it. That is what Jesus is asking of the Church of Pergamum, he wants them to stop being tolerant and confront the Nicolaitans.

Sometimes I think that I forget that we are in a battle for the souls of men. Sometimes I think I forget that right now on earth there is a battle going on. I'm so busy trying to live in all the blessings and promises, that fellow soldiers are falling left and right and I'm too busy to pick them up and grab my own weapons.

Prayer:

Dear Lord, forgive me for not taking a stand so many times. Help me to live a life of purity and holiness. I don't know anyone who needs your help with temptation more than me. Thank you for giving me everlasting life. Thank you for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for my sins. In Jesus name, Amen!