Abhorring Evil & Cleaving to Good in Our Homemaking

Examining Scripture:

“Let love be without dissimulation.
Abhor that which is evil;
cleave to that which is good.
Be kindly affectioned one to another
with brotherly love;
in honour preferring one another;”
Romans 12:9-10

Evaluating Soil:

Birds are amazing creatures. When you watch them on a regular basis you begin to see and learn their patterns of behavior. It’s inspiring to see them surviving in adverse situations—fighting constant danger, weather, and threats. I enjoy seeing them thrive in their parts of the world while maintaining balanced schedules and beautifully natural relationships.

These flying wonders give us great examples for how to build our nests and relationships in insecure environments and threatening situations. Some of the ways they live include:

• Following the Creator’s plans
• Staying focused on their homes
• Minding their own business
• Working hard from sunup to sundown.
• Helping each other
• Loving their families
• Protecting one another
• Not taking more than they need
• Giving others their space
• Living consistently and contentedly
• Singing gleefully as they work

Our Creator designed our lives to function just as well. We too can follow the seasons, work to provide, build our nest, remain alert and cautious, keep a healthy routine, raise our young to go out and make it on their own, treat our loved ones with kindness, defend each other from predators, don’t get too attached to places and things, and live and love as God intended.

Experiencing Seasons:

I’ve often wondered why we are more likely to treat people outside our homes better than we do our own families. “Why is that?” How can I say I love God and want to follow Him then express that love differently in my home? I shouldn’t, but I have.

For me, the problems start when insincere love arises and I’m not living a holy life. Instead, I may be trying to conform to the world, not following God’s Will, thinking more highly of myself than I should, neglecting to use the gifts God gave me, and attempting to coexist with evil rather than abhorring it and sticking to good. Basically, it’s when I choose not to follow the clear instructions given in Romans 12.

Sadly, the spiritual, physical, and relational messes and struggles I find myself facing are often self-inflicted. I can keep my home clean, organized and running on a good schedule. I can keep us fed and functioning. But, if I don’t do it with sincere love and keep the evil out and the good in, my problems will continue.

Embracing Solace:

Homes filled with Godly love are homes with solace. They’re not full of evil intentions or faux affection. True comfort comes to homes that are sincere, supportive, and safe. It’s an environment filled with kind affection, and brotherly love, and where we prefer (meaning to “lead the way” – Greek #4285) others with honour.

Enjoying Simplicity:

Love without dissimulation isn’t complicated or confusing. We don’t have to tippy-toe around wondering where we stand with each other. It’s a love we can trust and lean on.

Employing Solutions:

How do we employ these truths in our homes?  The same way we do it with our hearts, by presenting our bodies as living sacrifices, “holy and acceptable unto God,” and by abhorring (detesting) evil and cleaving (gluing or sticking) to good. When we obey God, we love and lead our families toward holiness which makes for better homes.

Bring It Home

Could your home, like mine, use a little makeover?

Praying for you as we grow together,
Smiles, BRC