The Brinkley argus., 1918-09-06
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER 8
CoNoUERING EVIL.

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 LESSON TExTs-I Kings 21:1-2s; Ephe sians 5:6-21.
 GOLDEN TEXT-Have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness but rather reprove them.-Ephesians 5:11 DEVOTIONAL READING-Romans 12 21 to 1910.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL FOR TEACHERS-Deuter 9:18; Psalms A:16; Luke ALB; 19:41-4S; Romans 7:I; g. fl; II Timothy Az.
 The robbery and murder of NabOth is one of the darkest of human deeds. Failure to recognize the righteousness of Naboth's position, and to master his own personal selfish desires, resulted in this dark deed.
 [. A Notable Example of the Tri- umph of Evil q Kings 21 :1-29).
 l. Ahab's covetousness (vv. 1-6).
 Near the kings palace lay plot of ground belonging to a simple farmer which Ahab selfshly longer for Ma both, loyal to the law of God and exer- cising his personal rights, refused to part with it, though the king offered him what it was worth, or even bet ter one in exchange. With Naboth it was not matter of money value, but of loyalty to God and his fathers. It doubtless would have been gain to him to have complied with Ahab's desire, for he offered its worth in money or better one in exchange. Naboth put principle before worldly gain, or even reputation with the king. Ahab in- stead of conquering his selfishness sulkily refused to eat.
 2 Jezebel's wicked plot (vv. 5-16.) When she found Ahab pouting she took matters into her own hands. 1) She taunted Ahab (v. D. A weak man cannot stand to be taunted, especially by woman. CD A mock trial given (vv. S-13). The charge made against Naboth was false. They played the hypocrite. His death was secured un- der the pretense of justice. Jezebel desired Naboth out of the way, so she secured false witnesses against him. (3) He was stoned to death (v. 13). (4) Jezebel informs Ahab of Naboth's death, and instructs him to take pos session of the vineyard (vv. 14-16).
 8. The doom announced (vv. 17-26). Q) By whom-Elijah (vv. IT, 1S). At the command of the Lord, Elijah, who had fled from Jezebel, goes to meet the king as he entered upon the possession of NabOth's vineyard. He went to take possession but could not. God always finds man to bring to the sinner the fruit of his wrongdoing. f2) What it was (vv. 19-26). (a) A shameful death (V. 19). The dogs were to lick his blood in the place where they licked the blood of Ma both There is a retributive justice in the judgments which God metes out to sinners. "Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap" (GaL. 6:O. Jezebel was to share a like fate. The sinner should be assured that his sin will find him out. (b) Obliteration of posteriry (vv. 21, 22). It was best that the children of such man should be cut off so that there might be an end to such a wicked dynasty. It would seem that the world has now come to such q state as this. The dy- nasty which is responsible for the blood and sorrow of the world at this time would better end and it's poster ity be oDliterated from the earth.
 4. Ahabs repentance (vv. 27-29).
 Through his humiliation he gained a respite from judgment God allowed him to go for awhile before he permit ted the Judgment 10 fall upon him. A few years later he was slain in the battle of Ramoth-Gilead Chapter 22 :37).
 II. How to Overcome Evil (Eph II :18).
 1. By separation from it (v. ID. The only way to overcome evil is to refuse fellowship with 1t, to withdraw from it. Lot, who had entered into fellow ship with the SodOmites, was overtaken with disaster; but Abraham who was separated from it, was able to deliver him.
 2. By reproof (v. 11). It is not enough to merely refrain from prac- ticing evil. No neutral position is pos sible There must be victory over it; it must be defeated. Antagonism of the evil is necessary.
 8. By watchfulness (v. 14).
 Living in the light of Christ is nee essary in order to overcome evil. De ception is on every hand.
 1. By a circumspect walk (vv. 15, 16).
 Pitfalls are all about us. To walk without looking about us is most fool ish, because the evil one is on the alert, doing his best to cause us to stumble.
 5. By sober life (v. 18).
 6. By being filled with the Holy Spirit (v. 1S).
 Those who would overcome evil must abstain from intoxicating liquors and all the influences of the world which unduly excite.
 The Spirit-hlled believer has the wis dom and power to overcome.
 Reuenerated Life