Things to Avoid

Things to Avoid
By Martyn Lloyd-Jones - taken from his exposition on Ephesians 6

1). The first thing we have to avoid is dissipation of energy. However much energy we may have, if we misuse it, dissipate it, throw it away, the result will be that we shall have less of it, and will become less effective and efficient. The need is for our activity to be thoughtful, disciplined, governed and directed. Every man has to sit down and plan his life, and decide what he can do and what he cannot do. He must be resolute, and not governed by ‘what people say’.

2). I suggest that we must also avoid spending too much time in what I would call ‘enervating atmospheres’. If you are in a wrong atmosphere, you will not feel very strong. We can spend too much time in the wrong company. If you spend too much of your time in a worldly atmosphere you will find that the edge of your spiritual life will become dulled… you will not be able to pray so well, and you will lose your taste for the scriptures. Lets make sure we are not producing a wrong atmosphere by [foolish talking and jesting]. That type of talk belongs to the world and not to us.

3). Avoid bad reading… general reading, polluting reading. There is much nonsense being talked about these days. The Apostle [Paul] states it thus in Romans 13:14: ‘…make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof’. If you feed the flesh do not be surprised if you fall into its temptations and its lusts; make no provision for it. Let us watch our general reading. Keep a watch on your thoughts and imaginations. Thoughts and imaginations can be evil, and we are to mortify them speedily.

4). We are to avoid people who do not believe in the Bible as the Word of God, for they will do you harm; they will take from your spiritual energy and you will eventually become diseased. I am referring to a certain attitude about the scriptures, to the teaching that man with his reason is able to determine what is right and what is wrong. Have no fellowship with [Christians] who do not believe the Bible to be the Word of God. [They] undermine the very basis and foundation of the faith; have no fellowship with him.