Biblical Examples and Gospel Illustrations Pitfalls to Avoid
The Bible frequently illustrates the importance of avoiding certain behaviors and influences, often presenting both positive and negative examples. These illustrations serve as warnings and guides for believers, emphasizing the need for discernment and adherence to God's commands.
One significant area of avoidance highlighted in Scripture is strife. The prophet Isaiah and the Gospels portray Christ as an example of one who avoided strife (Isaiah 42:2; Matthew 12:15-19; Luke 9:52-56; 1 Peter 2:23) [1]. Proverbs explicitly forbids strife (Proverbs 3:30; 25:8), identifying it as a "work of the flesh" (Galatians 5:20) and an indicator of a carnal spirit (1 Corinthians 3:3) [1]. The New Testament also notes the presence of strife within the early church (1 Corinthians 1:11) [1]. Various factors are identified as exciting strife, including hatred (Proverbs 10:12), pride (Proverbs 13:10; 28:25), wrath (Proverbs 15:18; 30:33), frowardness (Proverbs 16:28), a contentious disposition (Proverbs 26:21), tale-bearing (Proverbs 26:20), drunkenness (Proverbs 23:29,30), lusts (James 4:1), and "curious questions" (1 Timothy 6:4; 2 Timothy 2:23) [1]. The difficulty of stopping strife once it has begun is presented as a reason to avoid it (Proverbs 17:14) [1].
Beyond strife, the biblical texts emphasize avoiding evil in its various forms. John Gill, commenting on 1 Peter 3:11, interprets the command to "eschew evil" as avoiding all kinds of evil, hating it, abstaining from its appearance, and having no fellowship with it. This particularly includes avoiding rendering evil for evil or taking revenge [5]. Proverbs repeatedly advises against temptation, urging believers to "avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil" (Proverbs 4:14) and even the "slightest temptation" (Proverbs 5:8) [2, 4]. This includes not abusing confidence and avoiding litigation (Proverbs 3:29) [3].
Idolatry is another critical pitfall to avoid. The Old Testament frequently warns against the worship of idols, stating that it leads one astray and corrupts those who trust in them (Psalm 115:8; Isaiah 44:20) [6]. The construction of altars, for instance, was to be done without hewn stone, to prevent the carving of figures and ornaments that might lead to superstition (Exodus 20:25) [9]. The apostle Paul uses the history of Israel as a warning, noting that their punishments for disobedience, including idolatry and fornication, serve as examples for believers to avoid similar sins (1 Corinthians 10:5-7) [7].
Furthermore, believers are cautioned to avoid actions that could cause others to stumble. Paul addresses this in the context of eating sacrificial meat, advising that what believers do, even if permissible for them, should not lead others to stumble (1 Corinthians 8:9-10) [8]. This principle extends to avoiding fornication, as seen in the example of the Israelites, where 23,000 died as a consequence (1 Corinthians 10:8) [7]. The broader implication is to avoid any behavior that might compromise one's own faith or the faith of others.
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Strife — Christ, an example of avoiding -- Isa 42:2; Mt 12:15-19; Lu 9:52-56; 1Pe 2:23. Forbidden -- Pr 3:30; 25:8. A work of the flesh -- Ga 5:20. An evidence of a carnal spirit -- 1Co 3:3. Existed in the church -- 1Co 1:11. Excited by Hatred. -- Pr 10:12. Pride. -- Pr 13:10; 28:25. Wrath. -- Pr 15:18; 30:33. Frowardness. -- Pr 16:28. A contentious disposition. -- Pr 26:21. Tale-bearing. -- Pr 26:20. Drunkenness. -- Pr 23:29,30. Lusts. -- Jas 4:1. Curious questions. -- 1Ti 6:4; 2Ti 2:23. Scorning. -- Pr 22:10. Difficulty of stopping, a reason for avoiding it -- Pr 1”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 4:14: (Compare Psa 1:1). Avoid all temptations to the beginning of evil.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 3:29: Do not abuse confidence and avoid litigation.”
- Proverbs (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Proverbs 5:8: Avoid the slightest temptation.”
- 1 Peter (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Peter 3:11: Let him eschew evil,.... Avoid all kinds of evil, hate it, abstain from the appearance of it, and have no fellowship with it; and particularly should avoid rendering evil for evil, or taking revenge on persons for doing him ill: and do good; everything that is good, all good works, according to the will of God, in the exercise of faith, from a principle of love, and with a view to the glory of God; and without trusting to them, and depending upon them for life and salvation; and particularly do good for evil; do good to all men, acts of kindness and beneficence, ev”
- Psalms (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Psalms 115:8: 115:8 Worshiping idols leads one astray and corrupts those who trust in them (Isa 44:20).”
- 1 Corinthians (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Corinthians 10 (introduction): Peculiar circumstances in the Jewish history were typical of the greatest mysteries of the Gospel; particularly their passing through the Red Sea, and being overshadowed with the miraculous cloud, Co1 10:1, Co1 10:2. The manna with which they were fed, Co1 10:3. And rock out of which they drank, Co1 10:4. The punishments inflicted on them for their disobedience are warnings to us, Co1 10:5. We should not lust as they did, Co1 10:6. Nor commit idolatry, Co1 10:7. Nor fornication as they did; in consequence of which twenty-three thousand of them we”
- 1 Corinthians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Corinthians 8:9: 8:9-10 Believers must be careful that what they do (such as eating sacrificial meat) does not cause others . . . to stumble (cp. Rom 14:13, 20-21; Gal 5:13).”
- Exodus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Exodus 20:25: thou shalt not build it of hewn stone, &c.--that is, carved with figures and ornaments that might lead to superstition.”