Do you remember Play-Doh? It may have been a while since you played with it. I especially enjoyed it fresh out of the container. I liked how easy it was to shape.

Whenever we took out new Play-Doh, my mom always told us, “Be careful not to mix it.”

We tried our hardest. Inevitably, one day, the blue lump would get splotches of pink and green in it. Then, it would be shoved into a container with a green lid and put away. 

The next time someone grabs out the green Play-Doh, it falls into their workspace as a disappointingly mixed ball. Now we can’t make green eggs and ham.

The mixed Play-Doh is no longer fit for the purpose it was designed for.

Romans 16:19 reads: Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I am full of joy over you; But I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.

While there are many Hebrew and Greek words translated “innocent,” Paul used a very specific one here. 

Akereios (ak-er’-ah-yos). It’s literal translation is unmixed.

When God redeems our souls through Jesus Christ, we are cleansed and given Jesus’ robe of righteousness. We are made into new creations, pure and pliable. 

God doesn’t want us to be mixed with evil again.

If we mix with evil, we become unfit for the purpose God designed us for.

What is His purpose?

To conform us into the image of the Son of God (Romans 8:29). To bring us into eternity with Him (2 Corinthians 5:4-5). To bring Himself increasing glory through us (John 15:8).

Yet, even when we try our hardest, we can become mixed again, and it’s nearly impossible to get back to purity. There is one hope!

“If we confess our sins, (Jesus) is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9)! 

It’s not by our willpower, but through the grace and strength of the Spirit who lives in us – God Himself! We need only keep in step with Him!

God said, “I want you to be akereios (unmixed) about what is evil.”

So, “let those who love the Lord hate evil” (Psalm 97:10). We should have a high reverence for the Lord of all creation who redeemed, reclaimed, and restored us through enormous sacrificial measures, so that we hate evil and stay unmixed. 

Are we akereios?

Comment below and let me know your thoughts!