evil in the world | Stayingonthepath

Psalm 2, 5, 32, 33 Romans 1:16-2:8

II Thessalonians 2

Deuteronomy 4:39-40

Evil in the World

The world is getting louder and louder. People screaming at anyone that dares disagree. Social media a platform for total strangers to spit out hateful judgments anonymously. The media gleefully adding fuel to the fire, capitalizing on the uproar. Propagandists feeding the public only what they want them to hear, "cancelling" and bullying anyone that dares to question their convoluted "facts" and the motives behind it all. With all the uproar and the manipulated mass hysteria, it is easy to become very troubled in our spirit. It is easy to get distracted from Who is really in charge, and what we should really be doing.

We cannot change the world, at least we cannot change it by screaming back, or arguing about the issue at hand, or trying to convince people that they are believing lies. We can't, because people choose to believe lies. They don't want to hear the truth. It doesn't matter how illogical the lies are. The more illogical, the louder they yell.

The fact that the heathen rage is a good indication that they know, however deep down in their spirit, they know they are wrong. The old saying, "Methinks he doth protest too much" is a true observation of human nature. When trying to convince others of a lie, one tends to get loud and emotional, because he or she cannot back up their argument with fact.

It is ludicrous that anyone would argue with God. To stack up human will, human reason and human logic against God's will, reason and logic is like trying to control the weather by declaring ever more vehemently that it will NOT rain and it WILL be sunny and warm.

Yet they do rage, and plot and scheme, declaring that serving God is bondage. They refuse the truth, that serving the Lord is to be free from sin. They refuse because they do not want to give up sin. They like sin, not perceiving that they are slaves to sin. Like captives in chains, they prefer to enjoy "sin for a season" (Hebrews 11:25), blindly marching toward destruction. Consequently they rage against God, and the children of God.

But God laughs at their schemes. He is in ultimate control whether they admit it or not.

Jesus is King. The rebellious nations will pay the price for their rebellion. They are warned to repent, to submit to Jesus because He is Lord of all, the Son of the living God. Until His kingdom is established, there will be turmoil here on earth. But those who put their trust in God will be blessed. Unbelievers may rant and rage. They may attack us and persecute us. But we know their end. And so do they. It is no secret. Their furious protests against God prove that their spirit knows. Our job is to declare the truth of the Lord, and urge repentance before it is too late. It doesn't matter what they do to us, for we also know our end.

We must recognize the natural state of the world. We should not be surprised when we see evil, faithlessness, deceit, and taking pleasure in wickedness. For the lost this is the norm. However, we should not become self-righteous and compare our "goodness" to the world (Romans 2:1) for we also are sinners. We are saved by grace, not because we deserve it. Rather we should pray that the Lord will make His way straight and clear before us, and strive to follow Him. It is a narrow path surrounded with enemies and pitfalls, but the Lord has promised to protect us (Psalm 1:12b; 5:11-12; 32:10-11).

Sin stands between the person and our Holy God. The difference between believers and the lost is that believers confess their sins and are forgiven, while the lost deny they are sinners. We still struggle with sin, because we are human and weak, but we are not slaves to sin. Unbelievers reject God's forgiveness and cling to their sin. They want to serve sin. And so there is a constant struggle between good and evil in this world. We know the outcome of this struggle, while the unbeliever believes a lie from their master that sin is not a real thing and everything will be all right in the end.

When I see evil in the world, my heart is troubled. Though I know why, I am still amazed when people flaunt their sin and are proud of evil. They have willfully rejected God and God has given them up to their delusions, uncleanness and a debased mind. The evil that seems to be flooding the world will get worse, not better. This is not God's fault or God's choice. This is an act of the will of the unbeliever. God wants everyone to come to repentance and be saved (II Peter 3:9).

The Word clearly reveals that God is evident and obvious to everyone (Romans 1:18-23). They know in their hearts that God is God, but purposely exchange the Truth for a lie and serve the creature (themselves and their own lusts) rather than give rightful honor to the Creator.

It is easy to look at sin and feel a little self-righteous, but God gives us a warning (John 8:7; Romans 2:1-8; I Corinthians 5:9-13). There is no place for prideful judgment. Yes, the lost wallow in sin and are proud of it. God's people should have no part in the filth of the world, but I am not called to judge sinners. I must be careful. I must always remember that I too am a sinner. God will judge sinners in due time, but until then He is longsuffering, giving opportunity for repentance.

I am saved by His grace and mercy, not because I am without sin. Not because I am a good person. If I condemn sinners because I think they are evil (i.e.: I am better than they are), I am acting as though my own goodness will save me from the judgment of God. This is foolishness! No one is without sin (Romans 3:23).

If I judge another and condemn them for their sin, I also condemn myself. If I say the vile sinner deserves to go to hell, because of their sin, am I without sin? Don't I also deserve to go to hell for my sin? Only God, Who is sinless, is able to judge righteously.

Christians should condemn sin, but show God's goodness to the sinner. Who knows if the sinner will repent and escape the judgment of God? We do not know the heart of another person (I Samuel 16:7). Perhaps despite their outward actions their heart is yearning for the Gospel and the hope of salvation. Our job is not to judge sinners. Our job is to show God's goodness while there is still time to repent. We must always be aware of the sin in our own lives and work patiently (Romans 2:7) to do good, to do better each day looking forward to the day when He will perfect us.

The days are evil. The events in the world are troubling. But we must remember that this is a spiritual battle. Troubling times should not take over our thoughts and actions, but rather it should remind us to wake up, put on the armor of God, and look to Him (Romans 13:9-14). This is the time for all Christians to draw closer to our Lord, to study and strive to obey His instructions, to stand and be strong in Him, and to watch and pray (Ephesians 6:10-18).