Do you feel like the world is coming unglued? If you spend any time watching the news or browsing social media it seems like there is evil at every turn. There are terrorist attacks in the Middle East. There is war in Europe. There is sex trafficking and human smuggling across our Southern border. The list goes on…
However, it should be no surprise. From the very beginning in the garden after creation, Satan was working to put a separation between God and man. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” 1 John 5:19 tells us that “the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” It is no wonder there are those who have given their hearts and minds over to evil.
So how do we combat the evil we see in the world around us? We can turn to God’s word for the answers. We put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), spread the Gospel to all creation (Matthew 28:18-20) and let the Word of God do the convicting of hearts and minds. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the Word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword” and that it is “able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” God’s Word does the work, we just need to carry it to the world.
As for how we remain undefiled by the world as we live among the evil, I suggest we allow God’s words to Joshua in Joshua 1:7 encourage us. We should be strong and very courageous and not turn from His words neither to the right nor to the left. It is a daily decision. The Hebrews writer describes our journey through life as a race we must run with endurance (Hebrews 12:1) and to use Christ as our example so that we may not grow weary and loose heart (Hebrews 12:3).
Finally, we should remember that even though we have trials in life, the battle over evil is already won (John 16:33) and we have a home in heaven waiting for us if we are obedient to God’s word and remain faithful.