ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2025 – Imitate Not Evil But Goodness
MEMORY VERSE: “Dear friend, do not imitate what is evil but what is good. Anyone who does what is good is from God. Anyone who does what is evil has not seen God. 3 John 1:11 NIV
TEXT: 3 JOHN 1:1-14
The Elder,
To the beloved Gaius, whom I love in truth:
2 Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. 4 I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth.
5 Beloved, you do faithfully whatever you do for the brethren and for strangers, 6 who have borne witness of your love before the church. If you send them forward on their journey in a manner worthy of God, you will do well, 7 because they went forth for His name’s sake, taking nothing from the Gentiles. 8 We therefore ought to receive such, that we may become fellow workers for the truth.
9 I wrote to the church, but Diotrephes, who loves to have the preeminence among them, does not receive us. 10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
11 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.
12 Demetrius has a good testimony from all, and from the truth itself. And we also bear witness, and you know that our testimony is true.
13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink; 14 but I hope to see you shortly, and we shall speak face to face.
Peace to you. Our friends greet you. Greet the frien
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Imitation is something that is very common in every area of life. The common purpose of imitation is to make something easier or cheaper. Along with making imitation products, people like to imitate others.
In the process of imitation, both good actions and bad actions are often imitated. John tells us not to imitate what is evil, but only that which is good. Anyone who imitates evil really does not know God.
As the world likes to imitate or make imitated things, the Church has often picked up the same pattern. Too many believers have chosen to be just like the world, while claiming to believe in Jesus. Sinful, evil activities are accepted, activated upon and promoted by some in the Church. In fact, there are whole churches that promote evil inside the church, disguising it as good. These people and churches want to look like and fit in with the world, while claiming to follow God.
True believers will refuse to be imitation of the world and evil. They will strive to live their lives for God, rejecting evil, no matter where they are or who they are around. They want to be just like Jesus in every way.
Be willing to turn away from sin and reject the evil that is around you. Do not allow yourself to begin to imitate the world and begin looking like the world. You are to be separate and different. Be like Jesus, holy and pure before God, rejecting evil and sin. Do not be an imitation believer, by imitating what the world is doing and saying.
Choosing good over evil puts us in harmony with God’s intentions for our lives, promoting a deeper connection with the divine. Also, living a life rooted in goodness helps us achieve a sense of peace, knowing we’re contributing positively to the world around us. Our choice to do good acts as a beacon of light for others, encouraging them to also embrace a path of righteousness.
To embrace goodness in the choices that we make in life, we must continually seek wisdom, stay grounded in the study of the word and be role models to others.
CHALLENGES
- Are you ready to commit to a life of goodness?
PRAYER POINT
- Father, help me to become like Jesus in every area of my life.
FURTHER READING: Proverbs 14:14-21; 15:16-33; Jude 1:14-25
ESOCS Devotional 16 December 2025
