What actions can we take to avoid the fate described in Psalm 34:21? Our Starting Point: Psalm 34:21 “Evil will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.” The Fate to Avoid • Slain by the very evil we practice • Condemnation for hating God’s righteous ones Foundation: Fear of the Lord “Fear the LORD, you His saints, for those who fear Him lack nothing.” (Psalm 34:9) Right reverence for God is the heart-attitude that keeps us from joining the ranks of the wicked. Actions That Steer Us Away from Condemnation • Receive God’s salvation in Christ – “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) • Turn from evil and choose good – “Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” (Psalm 34:14) • Hate what God hates – “To fear the LORD is to hate evil.” (Proverbs 8:13) • Guard the heart diligently – “Guard your heart with all diligence, for from it flow springs of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) • Keep the tongue from sin – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from deceitful speech.” (Psalm 34:13) • Sow to the Spirit, not the flesh – “The one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8) • Walk in brotherly love – “Whoever loves his brother remains in the light, and there is no cause of stumbling in him.” (1 John 2:10) • Overcome evil with good – “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21) • Abide in Christ daily – “The one who remains in Me, and I in him, will bear much fruit; for apart from Me you can do nothing.” (John 15:5) Guarding Our Hearts Daily 1. Begin each day in Scripture and prayerful dependence. 2. Confess sin quickly; keep short accounts with God. 3. Refuse jealous or bitter thoughts before they take root (James 3:16). 4. Replace hateful attitudes with acts of blessing toward others. Walking in Community • Seek fellowship that spurs you to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Invite accountability; the righteous wounds of a friend protect from self-deception (Proverbs 27:6). Final Encouragement Galatians 6:9 reminds us, “Let us not grow weary in well-doing, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Press on in these practices, and you will steer clear of the ruin promised to the wicked in Psalm 34:21, standing instead among the righteous whom the Lord redeems. |
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