The demons celebrate

Do you believe that evil is real? I do! I encounter two kinds of people doing wrong. Some are just deceived or foolish, caught up in pursuit of pleasure, chasing a fantasy, or trying to fill a need. The media reported on the adultery of former presidential candidate, John Edwards, last week. What he did was sinful, both a violation of God's moral laws as well as a betrayal of the trust of his family and those in the public who trusted him. But, John Edwards' actions do not appear to be those of an evil man; rather they were those of an ordinary sinner, the acts of a man walking in the blindness of his sinful nature. This does not make what he did less wrong, but it changes the way we respond to him. We call him to repentance, showing him the error of his ways, offering him restoration when there is sincere repentance.

A story on 60 Minutes told of the Congo a nation in Africa in total collapse. (Read the story.) In that war-torn nation, the crime of rape is epidemic. The horrific ways that women are being abused, the details too awful to recount here, reveals that the demons celebrate in the destruction of women, of community, and a nation! Evil has filled the minds of men. This outright evil, men who are 'demonized' to one degree or another. That nation reels under the oppression of the Evil One! Evil is revealed wherever a person is hard, cold, abusive, and taking life from others. I have witnessed evil in families where a man controls and uses his wife and children solely to serve his own needs, taking life and hope from them, intimidating with strength or rage. I have witnessed evil in church leaders who use their position to enrich themselves, who manipulate and control others in the name of God.

Where this kind of evil exists, it must be met with courage, with truth, and with a willingness to die to defeat it! When we expose evil, it does not run and hide. It raises up in rage, threatening our life and safety. We must be full of the courage of God to face it without withering under its assaults. Evil will attempt to justify itself, to explain the 'necessity' of its abuse of power, but we must have none of it. It must be told the Truth - again and again - uncompromising truth, named for what it is. When we deal with Evil in this way, it will come after us. Evil will attempt to destroy us, emotionally, spiritually, even physically. And, we must be willing to die to our comfort, die to our desire for safety, even perhaps give our life to bring about its end!

In the paradox of grace, Jesus did not teach us to respond to evil by building armies, buying guns, or accumulating wealth! He told us to love it to death! He set the example. He came to a world in the grip of evil. Courageously, He spoke the Truth, enduring abuse and rejection, then He gave His life - dying in apparent defeat - only to rise the victor over sin, death, and the grave. In a passage that demands much of every Believer, we are told- "Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, "I will take revenge; I will pay them back," says the Lord. Instead, "If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads." Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good." (Romans 12:19-21, NLT)

Believer, there is much evil in the world. Let's pray for the courage to speak the Truth, even when it causes others to turn against us or invites the wrath of evil-doers. Let's press close to our Heavenly Father, taking His grace, living in His love so we are secure in ourselves, and empowered to continue to do good, even when we want to adopt the power principles of those who are evil.

Here's a word from the Word, that we need to know well, that we might stand in this evil day, without wavering in faith.

"We are not fighting against humans. We are fighting against forces and authorities and against rulers of darkness and powers in the spiritual world. So put on all the armor that God gives. Then when that evil day comes, you will be able to defend yourself. And when the battle is over, you will still be standing firm.
Be ready!
Let the truth be like a belt around your waist, and let God’s justice protect you like armor. Your desire to tell the good news about peace should be like shoes on your feet. Let your faith be like a shield, and you will be able to stop all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Let God’s saving power be like a helmet, and for a sword use God’s message that comes from the Spirit. Never stop praying, especially for others. Always pray by the power of the Spirit. Stay alert and keep praying for God’s people." (Ephesians 6:12-18, CEV)
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Am I a soldier of the cross,
A follower of the Lamb.
And shall I fear to own His cause,
Or blush to speak His name?

Must I be carried to the skies
On flowery beds of ease,
While others fought to win the prize,
And sailed thro' bloody seas?

Sure I must fight if I would reign,
Increase my courage, Lord:
I'll bear the toil, endure the pain,
Supported by Thy Word.

And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown!
Yes, we shall wear a crown.
And when the battle's over
We shall wear a crown
In the new Jerusalem.

Wear a crown, wear a crown,
Wear a bright and shining crown;
And when the battle's over,
We shall wear a crown,
In the new Jerusalem.

When the Battle's Over
Isaac Watts© Public Domain