15 Keep Them From Evil

Keep Them From Evil

It is no uncommon thing for Christians to get weary of the world — in consequence of its toils, trials, and troubles; and they sometimes become impatient to leave it. Their cry is, "O for the wings of a dove! then would I fly away and be at rest!" But this is wrong — decidedly wrong. The Lord wants us here. He can make use of us here. It is necessary, for our own sakes, that we should remain here. The Savior taught us this when pleading for his disciples, for he said, "I do not pray that you should take them out of the world — but that you should keep them from the evil" (John 17:15).

What the Savior Did Not Pray For? He would not pray for the death of his disciples, or their translation to glory. To us it may appear best if the Lord were to regenerate, justify, perfectly sanctify his people — and remove them to glory at once! But it did not appear so to Jesus. He considered it best to continue them here, because his kingdom is here at present. It is not of the world — but it is in the world. It is totally distinct from the world — but it is located here for a season. He has, therefore, need of his disciples here; for they are his subjects, his servants, and his witnesses.

Christ’s kingdom is spiritual in its nature, laws, ordinances, and subjects; and it is increased, established, and sanctified — by the united efforts of his disciples. They can glorify God more on earth at present — than they could in Heaven. Here they honor him . . .
by suffering for him,
by working for him,
by believing on him, and
by exhibiting the Christian graces, the fruits of the Spirit.

It is better for the Lord’s people to remain here for a time, that they may . . .
learn wisdom,
gain experience,
exercise faith in God,
and be tried by him.

It is much better for the world, that God should keep his people here; for they are the light of the world and the salt of the earth. They show practically what is the nature, power, and tendency of real religion — how it purifies, sustains, and gives the victory over it, and all that is evil.

What Jesus Did Pray For? That they might be kept from evil:

1. From the evil of the world — from its evil spirit, which is carnal, and directly opposed to the spirit of Christ, and the requirements of God’s holy law.

2. From the evil course of the world — which is downward, corrupt, and corrupting.

3. From the evil customs of the world, which are vain, wicked, and opposed to the mind of God.

4. From the Evil One, who is the god of this world, the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that works in the children of disobedience. He stirs up evil men — to hate, oppose, and persecute them. He stirs up corruptions within them — to weaken, discourage, and mislead them.

5. From all evil, Jesus prays that they may be kept.

God keeps them by his Spirit — who warns, teaches, strengthens, and works in them to will and to do of his own good pleasure.

He keeps them also by his providence — which sometimes removes sinful objects from before them — and at other times, prevents violent temptations from assailing them.

God graciously keeps his children, in answer to the prayer of Jesus, by not allowing the inclination to sin — and the opportunity to sin, to meet! Sometimes they are violently tempted to sin, and feel inclined to yield — but they have not the opportunity. At other times, the opportunity presents itself — but they have not the inclination. Thus they are divinely kept and graciously preserved. The world is full of evil! All that is in the world is . . .
the lust of the flesh,
the lust of the eye,
and the pride of life.

Jesus hates evil — but he does not hate the world. Just so we should distinguish between the world — and the evil that is in it. We may, we ought, to pity its victims; but to hate the evil which victimizes them.

We may be in the world — and not be injured by it. The world is the field — in which we are to labor for Christ. Here we are to plough up the fallow ground, to sow the good seed, and reclaim the waste places for Jesus. The world is the battleground — on which we are to fight the good fight of faith, to overcome Satan, and crucify the old man. The world is the ocean — over which we are to sail to the port of glory; and it befits us to look well to . . .
the vessel in which we sail,
the captain who commands it,
the pilot who steers it, and
the compass by which it is steered
— so that we may . . .
avoid the rocks and quicksands,
outlive the storms and tempests,
and cast anchor within the veil! The world is the school — in which we are to learn . . .
the evil of sin,
the power of corruption,
the craft of Satan,
the preciousness of Christ,
the value of Heaven, and
the importance and worth of God’s promises. The world is the hospital — in which we are under the Spirit’s treatment, in order that we may be restored to health, and prepared to enjoy our Father’s eternal house and home.

We should, therefore, rather pray to be kept from evil, than be removed out of the world. We may be useful, very useful in it, and useful in a way in which we cannot be in Heaven. Here, we can . . .
visit the sick for Jesus,
clothe the naked for Jesus,
feed the hungry for Jesus,
relieve the widow and fatherless for Jesus,
and teach the ignorant for Jesus — and thus feed, clothe, visit, relieve, and teach Jesus in doing so — for He has said, "Inasmuch as you did it unto one of the least of these My brethren — you did it unto Me!"

Let us not, therefore, be anxious . . .
to leave the field of labor until our work is done;
or to get out the battle until the victory is gained;
or to leave school until our education is complete;
or to be discharged from the hospital until we are perfectly cured. Our dependence and confidence should be in God. We cannot keep ourselves; but he can keep us. The evil that would be too strong for us — is as nothing to him. As he kept Israel in Egypt,
as he kept the three youths in the burning fiery furnace,
and as he kept Daniel in the lions’ den —
so he can keep us.

Let us, therefore, place our dependence on him,
let us exercise confidence in him,
let us earnestly plead with him — and in so doing he will keep us from the evil of the world, and preserve us unto his kingdom and glory!

Blessed Jesus, how kind, how thoughtful, how gracious of you — thus to pray for your disciples and for us! You now intercede for us in the same manner — you now are pleading with your Father, that while your people are in the world — they may be kept from the evil of the world!

Holy Father, did you not accept and register the prayer of your beloved Son? Did it not meet with your approbation and approval? Will you not answer his prayer in my experience?

Holy Spirit, is it not your work and your delight to keep the disciples of Jesus from the evil of the world? Will you not keep me — for his dear sake, and to the honor of his holy and ever blessed name? Keep, O keep me from . . .
evil thoughts,
evil words,
evil tempers,
and evil courses!

Keep me . . .
by your power,
by your inward teachings, and
by your special providence — until summoned from the world to enter into glory!