THE FORCES OF EVIL
INTRODUCTION
The forces of evil have been identified in God’s Word; reflecting principalities, powers, rulers of darkness, and spiritual wickedness, a hierarchy of evil forces seeking to dominate and control. We are on the threshold of allowing such, introduced secretly, and then openly, to establish a foothold in the affairs of men.
Apostle Paul brought such to light in saying: We wrestle not against flesh and blood (human standards), but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers of the darkness of this world (world-rulers), against spiritual wickedness in high places (wicked spiritual beings) (Ephesians 6:12). God does not want the believer to be overcome by evil but has equipped us to stand.
Apostle Paul wrote: Take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day (which we are in), and having done all to stand (Ephesians 6:12). The whole armor of God consists of: Truth, Breastplate of righteousness, Gospel of peace, Shield of faith, Helmet of salvation, and Sword of Spirit, which is the Word of God; along with prayer and supplication (Ephesians 6:14-18). God has equipped His people to be victorious not defeated.
The Forces of Evil
Deeply Engrained
A nation, or individual, can become deeply ingrained in the evils of our day, without recognizing the fact that they are being deceived as Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Scripture reveals the the enemy of one’s soul, in that case the Serpent, was used by Satan to undermine God’s Word (Revelation 12:9). God issued a command: Of the tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, you shall not eat of it; for in the day, that you eat thereof you shall surely die (Genesis 2:16-17).
The serpent countermanded God’s Word in saying: You shall not surely die (Genesis 3:4). The forces of evil today are seeking to camouflage the Word of God, to hide the fact that if one partakes of the deceptive practices of sin, there is a price to pay. A man of God was asked: If given an hour to explain the Gospel to someone, how would he do so?
He said he would spend the first fifty minutes on the bad news of judgment and then the last ten minutes on the good news of salvation, because without the context of judgment one would not appreciate or even understand salvation. Dereliction of Duty in promulgating the entirety of God’s Word brings many in jeopardy towards salvation of the soul.
Corrector of Evil
It was noted that the Bible is the chief moral cause of all that is good, and the best corrector of all that is evil (from the forces of evil) in human society; the best book for regulating the temporal secular concerns of men (Noah Webster). We are witnessing, in many instances, the decline of those who will stand for the truths of the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God without compromise. We are witnessing a generational gap of continued walking in strict accordance with God’s Word, by a generation who no longer adheres to the generational teachings of the past.
It was noted that when people conduct their lives as though there is no God who knows and judges every person, evil can abound. The most dangerous society is one in which people have no sense of accountability to God, and no fear of God. People need to hear the fullness of God’s Word, receiving of such is life transforming. Apostle Paul wrote: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? How shall they hear without a preacher (Romans 10:14)?
It was noted that the idea that we humans will be good without God is a deceptive fallacy. When people are devoid of the knowledge and wisdom that come from believing God and having reverence for Him, they become morally corrupt, exceedingly evil, violent and destructive. We are witnessing the forces of evil attempting to offset the need for God’s Word; seeking to compromise its effect on mankind. Jesus said: You shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32); that truth is the Word of God.
Opposing Forces of Evil
The forces of evil that exist today, are in such names as Socialism and Marxism, cousins to Communism; Critical Race Theory (CRT), the Great Reset Plan, instituted by the World Economic Forum; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Transformation; to name but a few, that would upset the normality of life. Included in the spin-off of evil is a drive to maintain legalized abortion, homosexuality, same sex marriage, and transgenderism as a way of life.
It was noted that goals include: Discredit family as an institution; control of the schools to use as tools for promoting ungodly agenda; break down cultural standards of morality by promoting pornography in books, magazines, motion pictures, and TV; infiltrate the press, gain control of key positions in government, radio, TV, and motion pictures; infiltrate the churches and replace revealed religion with a progressive social religion, and discredit the Bible.
We have witnessed many falling in line with such deceptive practices without realizing the implication for having done so. We have witnessed some churches embracing such; again, without realizing the implication for having done so, introducing and spreading such agenda to others, allowing tolerance and acceptability to play into focus. Thank God for godly individuals who will take a stand for the Word of God; exposing the fallacy of those taken in by the forces of evil.
Characteristics of Evil
There are obvious characteristics of evil that help promote the forces of evil: A profound lack of empathy, remorselessness, and a tendency to find pleasure in others' suffering, coupled with habitual lying, excessive control, self-centeredness, and a strong sense of entitlement, all while presenting a false image or lacking accountability for their harmful actions. These traits suggest a personality that exploits and harms others without genuine remorse in seeking personal gain and power of their own.
Apostle Peter noted traits of ungodly individuals: Those who walk after (according to) the flesh in the lust of uncleanness; presumptuous and self-willed, not afraid to speak evil of dignitaries. They speak evil of the things they understand not; spots they are and blemishes, sporting themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you. They beguile (entice) unstable souls; they speak great swelling words of vanity (emptiness); while they promise liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption (2 Peter 2:10-19).
One can witness such characteristics even in those who profess to be believers. One such instance was a certain political leader who made frequent use of the Christian vocabulary. He talked about the blessing of the Almighty and the Christian beliefs which would become the pillars of the new government, with many Christians welcomed him as a man sent from God. Who was this leader? It was Adolf Hitler. Scripture reveals: There is a way which seems right to a man but the end thereof are not the ways of death (Proverbs 14:12).
Woes Pronounced
The Prophet Isaiah pronounced woes that applies to today as well, with such being highlighted and engrained in the society of today: Woe (warning) to them that call evil good and good evil; that put darkness for light and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter; woe to them that are wise in their own eyes and prudent in their own sight (Isaiah 5:20-21). Though the Internet we see such traits revealed, in the forces of evil operating throughout the world, at the very instant they are take place.
There are instances when evil is portrayed as good by a media that is often bias in its reporting, being influenced by the power and control of others, towards a particular narrative. When the forces of evil have control of the media it is difficult for the truth to be manifested.
Apostle Paul gave instruction how the believer can be an influence to others who have been deceived, he wrote: In meekness instructing (correcting) those that oppose (are in opposition) themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to (or so they may know) the acknowledgement of the truth; that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at (or to do) his will (2 Timothy 3:25-26).
Quotes Concerning Evil
Evil often triumphs but never conquers (Joseph Roux). A person may cause evil to others not only by his actions but by his inaction, and in either case he is justly accountable for the injury (John Stuart Mill). Evil unchecked grows; evil tolerated poisons the whole system (Jawaharial Nehru).
When force is necessary, it must be applied boldly, decisively and completely. But one must know the limitations of force; one must know when to blend the force with a maneuver and bow with an agreement (Leon Trotsky); a recipe for any wise leader who has both the power and authority to change the course of life.
Salvation of the Soul
The forces of evil are in opposition to even acknowledging that the salvation of the soul is needful; even though God’s Word abundantly reveals such a need. Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (all of mankind), that he gave his only begotten (one of a kind) Son, that whosoever believes in him, should not perish, but have everlasting life (John 3:16).
Apostle Paul wrote: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (Romans 10:13). Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven (the Lord Jesus Christ) whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Do not allow the forces of evil to deceive you towards losing your own soul; receive Christ into your heart and life today with the reward of a heavenly abode.
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