3 John 11-12
Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God. (3 John 11).

The Bible says, “Beloved, do not imitate what is evil, but what is good. He who does good is of God, but he who does evil has not seen God” (3 John 11). It is as simple as that. When we see those who confess to be believers, we must pay attention. We must watch their lives, to see that they are living right before we can imitate them.

We learn by observation. That is why Jesus said, “You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from
thorn bushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit” (Matthew 7:16 17). Watch the fruits that these men produce. They are pointers to the one who oversees their lives and controls them – God or satan.

Still on this issue, Jesus warned, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). These are clear advice and warnings for us. Demetrius got a good report because his life and conduct
match that of the truth, Jesus Christ. Let us follow hard after God and seek to please Him in all our ways. The Lord will help us as we do this, in Jesus Name. Shalom.

Your Turn

• Pray for yourself as you have been ministered to.

Hymn: At the Cross.

Further Reading: Matthew 7:16-20.