What actions can we take to avoid the behaviors listed in Revelation 21:8? Grasping the List from Revelation 21:8 “ ‘But to the cowardly, the unbelieving, abominable, murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars—their place will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur. This is the second death.’ ” Actions That Counter Each Forbidden Practice • Cowardice → Cultivate courageous faith – Joshua 1:9 “Be strong and courageous … for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” – 2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and self-control.” Practical steps: confess fear to God, remember His promises, obey even when feelings lag. • Unbelief → Strengthen belief through the Word – Romans 10:17 “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.” – Hebrews 11:6 “Without faith it is impossible to please God.” Practical steps: daily Scripture intake, rehearse answered prayers, gather with believers. • Abominable deeds → Pursue holiness – 1 Peter 1:15-16 “Be holy in all you do.” – Psalm 139:23-24 invite God to expose offensive ways. Practical steps: immediate confession, replace sinful habits with acts of service and worship. • Murder → Value every human life – 1 John 3:15 “Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer.” – Matthew 5:21-24 reconcile quickly. Practical steps: refuse bitterness, practice forgiveness, protect the vulnerable, defend life. • Sexual immorality → Flee and honor marriage – 1 Corinthians 6:18-20 “Flee sexual immorality … you are not your own; you were bought at a price.” – Hebrews 13:4 uphold the marriage bed as undefiled. Practical steps: set clear boundaries, filter media, seek accountability, pursue purity of mind and body. • Sorcery/Occult → Reject all occult influence – Deuteronomy 18:10-12 forbids divination, witchcraft, spells. – Acts 19:19-20 new believers burned occult books. Practical steps: remove occult items, refuse horoscopes, trust God’s providence instead of hidden powers. • Idolatry → Keep God first – Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before Me.” – Colossians 3:5 calls greed idolatry. – 1 John 5:21 “Keep yourselves from idols.” Practical steps: examine loyalties, give God the first portion of time and resources, worship Him alone. • Lying → Speak truth in love – Ephesians 4:25 “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully.” – Proverbs 12:22 “Lying lips are detestable to the LORD.” Practical steps: commit to honesty in every detail, confess quickly when you fail, build integrity over time. Practical Habits That Guard the Whole Life • Daily Scripture reading and meditation (Psalm 1:2-3). • Consistent prayer, casting every care on Him (1 Peter 5:7). • Regular fellowship and accountability with mature believers (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Dependence on the Holy Spirit to walk in the fruit of the Spirit, which crowds out the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:16-23). • Quick repentance whenever conviction comes (1 John 1:9). • Active service, using gifts to build others up (1 Peter 4:10-11). Living in the Promise, Not the Warning Revelation 21:7, the verse just before the warning, says, “The one who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.” By clinging to Christ, practicing the above actions, and relying on His grace, believers overcome the behaviors of verse 8 and walk in the assurance of everlasting fellowship with God. |
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