The word for this week is "eschew". It's only used once inthe New Testament, but the Greek word that its translated from also shows up in two more verses! The original word is found in 1 Peter 3:10-11:
10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile: 11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. KJV
This is the Greek word "ekklino". Strong's Concordance says: to deviate, to shun, to decline. Thayer's Greek Lexicon says: to turn oneself away. Vine's Expository Dictionary says: to turn aside, leaving the right path. Frequently used of declining or swerving from God's ways. We also find "ekklino" in Romans 3:11-12 and Romans 16:17.
Romans 3:11 There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. 12 They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. KJV
Romans 16:17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them. KJV
Of course we are instructed to turn away from and to shun evil. And we know that others do the same thing with God and His Word. And it makes great sense to not spend a great deal of time with those who want nothing to do with God and His Word. But I was most intrigued with 1 Peter 11 (above) where it tells us to not only turn away from evil, but to "ensue" peace! This is the Greek word "dioko", which Strong's Concordance says means to pursue and Thayer's Greek Lexicon says means: to run swiftly in order to catch, to run after, to earnestly endeavor to acquire! I have noticed that most times when the Word of God is warning us away from one thing, it is always instructing us towards the GOOD THING! I love that positive attitude and way of dealing with a situation! And that reminds me of THIS song from Hillsong Kids called "As The World Shakes":
Love and Shalom from the Swoveys!
