Page 230 - Pleasant Words from the Gospe

Pleasant Words from the Gospel

ly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.'
(Mark, 7:20-23)

Furthermore, since they did not think it worthwhile to retain the
knowledge of God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do
what ought not to be done. They have become filled with every
kind of wickedness, evil, greed and depravity. They are full of en-
vy, murder, strife, deceit and malice. They are gossips, slanderers,
hateful to God, insolent, arrogant and boastful; they invent ways
of doing evil; they disobey their parents; they are senseless, faith-
less, heartless, ruthless. Although they know God's righteous de-
cree that those who do such things deserve death [hell], they not
only continue to do these very things but also approve of those
who practice them. (Romans, 1:28-32)

Finally, be strong in the Lord [in complying with God's consent],
and in His mighty power. Put on the full [spiritual] armor of God
so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. For
our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but... against the pow-
ers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil...
Therefore put on the full [spiritual] armor of God, so that when the
day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and af-
ter you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians, 6:10-13)

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