It is unfortunate that sin abounds in the Church today because we do not collectively abhor evil deeds anymore. Instead of hating what is evil, we actually celebrate sinners, and by so doing, we ignorantly become accomplices of their evil deeds. We no longer follow the instruction of the Holy Spirit in 1st Timothy 5:20, which says:
‘’Them that sin rebuke before all that others also may fear.”
Our modern approach is contrary to this scripture because we want to do church in a “civilized” manner. Adam and Eve also desired to be civilized, and they ended up becoming corrupted. Proverbs 24:23-25 says:
‘’These things also belong to the wise. It is not good to have respect of persons in judgment. He that saith unto the wicked, Thou art righteous; him shall the people curse, nations shall abhor him: But to them that rebuke him shall be delight, and a good blessing shall come upon them.’’
This scripture reveals the danger of being the accomplice of an evil doer and also the blessing attached to detesting and rebuking evil. Romans 12:9b also says:
‘’Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.’’
This is what is missing in the church today. My prayer is that the Almighty God will revive the Church, and evil deeds shall become alien to the body of Christ in Jesus’ Name.

The task of rebuking evil is divine, and whoever will perform this task must live above reproach (Romans 2:22-23). He or she must also be ready for persecution and blackmail. However, we should not be deterred by these, because evildoers also did the same to the prophets of old. In Mathew 5:10-12, our lord Jesus Christ said:
‘’ Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness’ sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.’’
Jeremiah is a classic example of someone who was maligned for rebuking evil in high places. He was indeed a sad prophet. He lamented the evil of his time so much that a whole book out of the 66 books of the Bible was dedicated to his lamentation. Similarly, even though John the Baptist was the greatest of all men that lived before Christ, his head ended up on a plate because he spoke out against evildoers. (Mathew 11:11, Mark 6:25-28). Nevertheless beloved, these sufferings are more tolerable than the judgment reserved for being the accomplice of evildoers. May the Lord help you in this regard in Jesus’ Name.
Written by Pastor E.A. Adeboye.