We continue our series this morning in Romans (12:9).  Today we will examine the idea of abhorring evil and clinging to good.  What does it really mean to abhor something?  How are we to cling to good?

1)  DEFINE EVIL
     a.  poneros - used as both an adjective and a noun, here in the noun form.   POWERPOINT
     b.  "that which is evil" - used of all things evil.  
     c.  bad, worthless, morally and ethically bad, wicked, from Satan
     d.  evil is never used in any positive sense (i.e. as in " you can be a little evil").
     e.  where does it come from?  The heart - from within the individual
          1.  Luke 6:45; Matt 9:4 "why are you thinking evil in your hearts?"; Matt 12:35 - " the good man brings out of his good treasure what is good, the evil man brings out of his treasure what is evil"

 2)  IT'S BAD FOR US!
      A. Would you knowingly eat something poisonous?  Would you go skydiving without a parachute?  The answer, of course, is NO!   The results would disastrous.  Yet, we think we can be around and participate in evil  and somehow it will be ok.
      B.  It's from the devil - he does nothing for our benefit
           1.  The evil one, our adversary - he's always on the move Job 1: 6-7
           2.  Mt 4:10 - the tempter; 4:15 - doesn't want the Word to take hold; Acts 5:3 - another example of his evil intentions; 2 Cor 11:14 - a deceiver, appears as an angel of light; 2 Cor 12:7 - intends to hurt
                a.  many more verses could be read with one conclusion.  Satan is evil and wants evil for us.

3)  WE ARE COMMANDED TO ABHOR IT - HATE IT- LITERALLY SHRINK AWAY
     A.   The question is, do we really abhor evil today -
           1.  defined - "to regard with extreme repugnance, or aversion, detest utterly, loathe, abominate
           2.  Question- Do we really utterly detest, loathe, show an aversion to or regard evil with extreme repugnance?  Or, because of the constant evil around us have we become hardened and lost the feeling of abomination? Heb 3:7-19 - a warning; 1 Tim 4: 1-2; 1 Tim 1: 15; Eph 4:18
           3.  What about God?  How does He feel about evil? -
                a.  Prov 6: 16-19; Pro 15:26; Pro 15:9; Pro 17:5; Pro 16:12, etc..

4)  DEFINE GOOD
     A.   Morally excellent, virtuous, high quality, excellent,  honorable, worthy, not spoiled or tainted, etc
     B.   What really is morally attractive, upright

5)  DEFINE CLING - In Rom 12:9 it is the same as cleave - kollao - to join fast together, as in a glue or a cement, as in a metal. (Acts 9:26; Acts 10:28)  The same word is also used in the marriage relationship of someone who is to cleave (be joined) to his wife. (Mt 19:5)  It also is used of a person who is by the side of someone else who is good.
     A.  The idea is be as close as is possible to that which is morally good.
     B.  We are to be people of good works - staying close to good works
          a.  1 Pet 2: 9 - telling others of the grace of God
          b.  Heb 3: 12-13 - we can be encouraging
          c.  Rom 12: 3-8 - more on the type of people we are to be
     C.  3 John 3 - be an imitator of good

  6) WE ARE TO ABHOR EVIL AND CLING TO GOOD 
      A. We are to be repulsed by evil deeds and hold as close as we can to all that is good in the sight of God.  We simply can't "ride the fence " and have it both ways.  Always do what is good.