The Reality of Evil

 

One doesn’t have to look very far to see terrifying, destructive, horrific acts in the world.  Jesus said don’t be surprised and he said it would get worse as time goes on. He also told us what to do about it.

Matthew 9:6-13…..Jesus’ instruction to the apostles on prayer……”Pray in this manner……Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one..”

John 17….Jesus’ high priestly prayer for believers…..”protect them from the evil one.”

1 Peter 5:8….”Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

1 Corinthians 10:13….”Any temptation you face will be nothing new. But God is faithful, and He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can handle. But He always provides a way of escape so that you will be able to endure and keep moving forward.”

1 Peter 4:12….”Beloved, do not be astonished at the temptations that will come upon you, as if something strange happened to you, for they are for your proving.”

Psalm 23:4….”Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”

Jesus knew personally and acknowledged to others and before God the reality of satan’s presence and ploys. He instructed his disciples to pray for deliverance from satan. He himself prays for protection for believers from “the evil one.” He tells us not to be surprised by the trials and difficulties of our lives and that God provides a way of escape in any temptation.

Is spiritual attack a reality? If one believes Jesus and his Word, yes. We live in a world where evil exists. As the Bible reveals, God will allow us to experience testing by satan, but he will provide a means of enduring the test, deliverance from its destruction, and redemption from what may seem like impossible circumstances. How he accomplishes that will depend on our response to the circumstances, our trust in him, how spiritually mature we are in the Word to recognize and respond to the testing being allowed, and his plan and purpose for our lives. While God continues to allow us to be in a world where evil exists, we do not have to fear it. He will guide us through it, protect and comfort us in the midst of it, and deliver us from it when he chooses to allow it as a refining fire. .Persevere through it. “This, too, shall pass.”