“If we could only learn to look on evil as evil, whether it’s clothed in filth or monotony or magnificence.”
Amory Blaine
This Side of Paradise
(F. Scott Fitzgerald)
Amory Blaine
This Side of Paradise
(F. Scott Fitzgerald)
One of the realities every man must come to terms with as he matures is the reality of evil. It is first necessary, of course, to recognize its machinations within our own minds and hearts and to defeat it there. But we must also recognize it as it forces itself upon the community within which we live. It is there. It will force its way, and every man will be faced with a confrontation with it whether he wants it or not. Therefore, he must learn to recognize it in all its disguises and resist it in all of God’s power. And more often than not, it appears in the form of something good: “For Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light” (2 Cor. 11:14).
People think they can recognize it easily in society—the holocaust of Hitler, the genocide of Mao, or the starvation of millions by Lenin. True, the Twentieth century provided ample evidence of what evil looks like on a mass scale. But the reason it gets to such horribly wicked dimensions is because men have lost the ability to recognize it and resist it in their day-to-day lives. Rather than wearing a red suit and carrying a pitchfork, the manifestation of evil appears more often in Italian designed suits (or pant suits), and its outward form can be quite beautiful and attractive.
How is evil manifested in the world? Through people. People take evil actions from evil motives. Yes, its source is spiritual, demonic, but it can only get traction in the world when individuals seek to live according to the wicked impulses given to them from the realm of darkness.
This acknowledgement gives a lie to the idea that everyone is a “child of God,” as our politicians (and apostate preachers) so often tell us. Everyone is not a child of God. Everyone is created by God, but all are not children of God. A child of God is someone who is living in obedience to and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. Not everyone lives such a life. On the flip side of that, a child of the devil is someone walking in the ways of his father, the devil. This is what Jesus meant when he rebuked some individuals in his community as doing the bidding of “your father the devil…” (John 8:44).
So, according to Jesus, there are some who are “children of the devil” living among us here on God’s planet, in His creation, and His Kingdom. They are interlopers and creators of the dis-order in the world. They are obedient to their father, the devil, and they carry out his wicked schemes, even though they simply think they are living their own lives.
Such an idea stands against everything the world today tells us about life: “Don’t judge; be tolerant; everyone is a child of God; be nice and don’t condemn people’s choices or ‘lifestyles.’”
These are the mottoes of those who resist Truth, resist God, and resist the rightful claim that King Jesus has over their lives. They don’t want to submit. They don’t want to bow their knee. They want to continue living sinful, wicked lives, and they don’t want to hear anybody point out their sin—otherwise that person becomes the target of their hate and venom. People who live in darkness don’t want the light to shine upon their choices, because this makes them begin to realize there is a holy God and he is also a just God. He will not allow sin to go unpunished.
The current apostasy in the churches makes this evil a little harder to recognize. It comes in the form of those claiming that Jesus Himself approves of their sinful lifestyles and choices (although they don’t call it “sinful.” They call it “love” or a “blessing.”) This is another tell-tale sign of evil: when people are willing to place the god of “love” above the God of the Universe. All things are seen through their rainbow-colored glasses called “love” and “acceptance,” but the holiness and truth of God is put to one side to be understood through their heresy of “tolerance” and “acceptance.” Therefore, their version of “love” is just another form of evil and wickedness that they seek to promote “in the name of God.”
But how does one learn to recognize evil in the broader context of life and society? Well, one must learn to see himself, the world, and others as God sees these things. How does God see us? The Holy Scripture gives us that picture. The more we know of His Word, the more clearly we can see in this world and discern the difference between His blessing and His wrath.
Ultimately, God sees us as fallen, sinful, helpless creatures who are doomed to eternal hell without the intervention of His Son, Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit of God draws us to Christ into repenting of our sin, He enters our hearts and gives us the power to live holy, good, and fruitful lives in keeping with His commandments. Anything that opposes that basic view of existence is not acceptable to God. It is counter to God’s holy will. It is evil.
We must always acknowledge that God defines the terms of life. He is the Creator and sets the rules by which life is to be lived—no matter where you are in the world or what you are doing. This isn’t just about what happens “in church.” God desires His will to be done everywhere, in every context, and at all times. Wherever that is not being done, you will find evil present.
He stated all of this very plainly in the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). But He leaves it up to us to pursue Him and allow Him to empower us to live as children of God who have been set free from the darkness, the chains, and the limitations of evil.
Finally, we are not left on our own to discern and avoid the traps of evil. God has given us a helper. That is the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life—to help us see clearly and empower us to live holy: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13). This is, I believe, one of the greatest promises that Jesus has given to the believer: You are not on your own. The Holy Spirit is in your heart to guide you, lead you, and enable you to walk a life pleasing to God Almighty.
All that remains left is for us to call upon Him daily and draw ever closer to Him. If we are filled with the goodness of God, then evil will be easy to discern and overcome.
Return to Words to Live By
People think they can recognize it easily in society—the holocaust of Hitler, the genocide of Mao, or the starvation of millions by Lenin. True, the Twentieth century provided ample evidence of what evil looks like on a mass scale. But the reason it gets to such horribly wicked dimensions is because men have lost the ability to recognize it and resist it in their day-to-day lives. Rather than wearing a red suit and carrying a pitchfork, the manifestation of evil appears more often in Italian designed suits (or pant suits), and its outward form can be quite beautiful and attractive.
How is evil manifested in the world? Through people. People take evil actions from evil motives. Yes, its source is spiritual, demonic, but it can only get traction in the world when individuals seek to live according to the wicked impulses given to them from the realm of darkness.
This acknowledgement gives a lie to the idea that everyone is a “child of God,” as our politicians (and apostate preachers) so often tell us. Everyone is not a child of God. Everyone is created by God, but all are not children of God. A child of God is someone who is living in obedience to and fellowship with God through Jesus Christ. Not everyone lives such a life. On the flip side of that, a child of the devil is someone walking in the ways of his father, the devil. This is what Jesus meant when he rebuked some individuals in his community as doing the bidding of “your father the devil…” (John 8:44).
So, according to Jesus, there are some who are “children of the devil” living among us here on God’s planet, in His creation, and His Kingdom. They are interlopers and creators of the dis-order in the world. They are obedient to their father, the devil, and they carry out his wicked schemes, even though they simply think they are living their own lives.
Such an idea stands against everything the world today tells us about life: “Don’t judge; be tolerant; everyone is a child of God; be nice and don’t condemn people’s choices or ‘lifestyles.’”
These are the mottoes of those who resist Truth, resist God, and resist the rightful claim that King Jesus has over their lives. They don’t want to submit. They don’t want to bow their knee. They want to continue living sinful, wicked lives, and they don’t want to hear anybody point out their sin—otherwise that person becomes the target of their hate and venom. People who live in darkness don’t want the light to shine upon their choices, because this makes them begin to realize there is a holy God and he is also a just God. He will not allow sin to go unpunished.
The current apostasy in the churches makes this evil a little harder to recognize. It comes in the form of those claiming that Jesus Himself approves of their sinful lifestyles and choices (although they don’t call it “sinful.” They call it “love” or a “blessing.”) This is another tell-tale sign of evil: when people are willing to place the god of “love” above the God of the Universe. All things are seen through their rainbow-colored glasses called “love” and “acceptance,” but the holiness and truth of God is put to one side to be understood through their heresy of “tolerance” and “acceptance.” Therefore, their version of “love” is just another form of evil and wickedness that they seek to promote “in the name of God.”
But how does one learn to recognize evil in the broader context of life and society? Well, one must learn to see himself, the world, and others as God sees these things. How does God see us? The Holy Scripture gives us that picture. The more we know of His Word, the more clearly we can see in this world and discern the difference between His blessing and His wrath.
Ultimately, God sees us as fallen, sinful, helpless creatures who are doomed to eternal hell without the intervention of His Son, Jesus Christ. When the Holy Spirit of God draws us to Christ into repenting of our sin, He enters our hearts and gives us the power to live holy, good, and fruitful lives in keeping with His commandments. Anything that opposes that basic view of existence is not acceptable to God. It is counter to God’s holy will. It is evil.
We must always acknowledge that God defines the terms of life. He is the Creator and sets the rules by which life is to be lived—no matter where you are in the world or what you are doing. This isn’t just about what happens “in church.” God desires His will to be done everywhere, in every context, and at all times. Wherever that is not being done, you will find evil present.
He stated all of this very plainly in the first commandment: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Ex. 20:3). But He leaves it up to us to pursue Him and allow Him to empower us to live as children of God who have been set free from the darkness, the chains, and the limitations of evil.
Finally, we are not left on our own to discern and avoid the traps of evil. God has given us a helper. That is the role of the Holy Spirit in the believer’s life—to help us see clearly and empower us to live holy: “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth is come, he will guide you into all truth…” (John 16:13). This is, I believe, one of the greatest promises that Jesus has given to the believer: You are not on your own. The Holy Spirit is in your heart to guide you, lead you, and enable you to walk a life pleasing to God Almighty.
All that remains left is for us to call upon Him daily and draw ever closer to Him. If we are filled with the goodness of God, then evil will be easy to discern and overcome.
Return to Words to Live By