Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good- Romans 12:21 NKJV

Like it or not, evil is rooted in the hearts of all humans (Jeremiah 17:9, Genesis 6:5, Mark 7:20).

Contrary to popular belief, people are not fundamentally good, nor are they born perfect and later corrupted by questionable parenting, trauma and lack of education or poverty.  None of those things are good or desirable, but none of them cause people to become evil. The Bible teaches that human beings are sinners from the moment of their conception (Psalm 51:5).  It all started with Adam and Eve.  Adam and Eve (and every human since) chose to rebel against God and do life apart from God rather than with God. The first humans consciously chose to acquire knowledge of evil (Genesis 3). Since that ill-fated moment evil has lurked in the hearts of all people (Mark 7:20-22, Genesis 6:5, Jeremiah 17:9). 

It’s critical to note that not every human acts out in horribly evil ways, nor are we doomed to live lives of unrestrained wickedness (Luke 11:13). The is good news is that the God of the universe loved us so much that He chose to become a sacrifice for our sins (John 3:16, Romans 5:8 Isaiah 53, 1st Peter 2:24, 1st John 4:9-10). Anytime a sinful human puts their faith and trust in Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection (Matthew 27-28) their sins are forgiven (Acts 10:34, Colossians 1:4). Furthermore, once we are “in Christ” (Romans 3:23-26, Romans 6:23, 1stCorinthians 15:21-22, 2nd Corinthians 5:17) the Holy Spirit dwells in us (John 14:16-17, John 14:26, Acts 1:8). The Holy Spirit gives Christians the power necessary to fight the evil in us and in the world (more on that later).

All that good news aside.

We are still a corrupted race even after we come into relationship with Jesus.  Evil still lurks the hearts of all humans. It is and will be a part of our operating system until we are fully redeemed and dwell in heaven (Revelation 21:1-4, Revelation 21:22-27).   

Evil comes in all sorts of different forms. There’s overt evil. Overt evil is out in the open. Overt evil is loud and proud; it openly seeks to harm others. Think serial killer or fascist kinds of evil. Covert evil is a little more subtle. It refuses to do good or withholds help from those that need it (Proverbs 3:27). The most dangerous kind of evil is evil that is unaware of its own evilness. It actually thinks it is doing good while it’s promoting evil and committing acts of evil (Isaiah 5:20). Those who think they are doing good when they are really doing evil are the most dangerous kinds of people

Evil that believes it’s doing good will gleefully corrupt and sexualize very young children in the name of “suicide prevention” “gender diversity” and “love”. Evil that thinks it’s good will deliberately incite hate and will even excuse murder in the name of “saving democracy” and “ending fascism”. Evil that thinks it’s good insists we must end the lives of unborn children in the name of “gender fairness” “bodily rights” and the need to ensure “all children are wanted and loved”. Evil that thinks it’s good will willingly euthanize an old or sick person in the name “quality of life”. Evil that thinks it’s good squashes free speech to further “tolerance” and protect the “well being” of others. Evil that thinks it’s good supports governments and religious belief systems that oppress women and minorities in the interests of “ending oppression”.

Evil that thinks it’s good is evilest kind of evil this fallen world has ever seen. Evil that believes it is good can and will justify every kind of unjustifiable behavior for the “greater good” and in the name of defending “human rights”. 

 As believers in Jesus, we must do everything in our power to fight this growing evil. We must stand against it and fight it with everything we have in us. We must fight for authentic good. We must actively look for opportunities to expose the corrupt and deceitful evil the world is touting as truth and virtuousness. Authentic good protects, defends and lays down its life for the weak and vulnerable. Authentic good values innocence and knows that humans are at their best when they choose to do life God’s way. Authentic good fights for the weak and chooses to love the unlovable. Authentic good prays for all people. Authentic good looks for occasions to usher in Kingdom values and Kingdom righteousness (Matthew 5:1-16, Matthew 6:10, Mark 1:14-15).

Evil that thinks it’s good cannot be defeated with the weapons of this world (2nd Corinthians 10:3-5). The weapons of this world are hatred, division, lies and violence. Christians cannot allow themselves to stoop to worldly methods or behaviors to fight evil.  When we behave like the world, we are allowing our own evil to run wild. God does not condone, bless or look away from evil especially in His own people (Romans 6:1-2).

Christians must fight the evil that believes it is good by making every effort to be firmly anchored to the immutable truth of God and His word. It is critical we take the time to know the unchanging principals of the Bible and learn to discern good from evil (Hebrews 5:14). Knowing the difference between good and evil keeps us from falling prey to the philosophies of this world that embrace death and call good evil. We fight evil with the love of Jesus and good works that glorify His name.