Malachi 2:17 “You have wearied the Lord with your words. Yet you say, ‘How have we wearied Him?’ In that you say, ‘Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the Lord, and He delights in them,’ or, ‘Where is the God of justice?’”

SIMPLE TRUTH

When most people think of a quotable verse from Malachi, they instantly think of 3:10 “’Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.’” That is a great verse and certainly worthy of knowing and following.

But as I read Malachi this time verse 2:17 hit me. It seemed to reflect the age in which we live. Everywhere you look people are justifying evil as good. Lifestyles that use to be kept secret are now proudly marched down the street for all to see. Preachers have been called out for simply preaching the Word of God. How dare we call sin what it is – SIN!

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children have to know, if nothing else sticks, that evil is evil. We have to teach them what God says is evil is definitely evil. There is no “wiggle room” when it comes to sin. There are no “shades of gray” when we use God’s Word to confront sin in our life or in the lives of others. They need to know it is okay to confront someone about their sin and warn them of the consequences. Now that has to be done in love and with the purpose of bringing them back to Christ. Our job is not to judge anyone. But we have to be diligent to proclaim the truth to a deceived world.

We are about to begin a brand new year. Each year seems to move quicker and quicker. Your children are growing up so quickly, right? You do not have time to waste when it comes to teaching them the foundational truths of God’s Word. And there is no truth more important than this one. Evil is Evil and Good is Good! What God calls sin is SIN, no matter what the world calls it. Your children have to know it in their soul or they will believe anything the world throws at them. You may have heard the saying, “If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.” That’s true.

Don’t gloss over your sins or the sins of your children. Be in their face about sin. Time is short! Don’t procrastinate! We must warn those we love! He is coming soon! Don’t delay! But above all, love them! Teach them! Show them how to live a life surrendered to Him!