THE UPROOTING OF EVIL

INTRODUCTION

The uprooting of evil is often as a huge tree with its roots spreading a long ways and deeply entrenched.  When the ungodly firmly implants its evilness; despite attempts to uproot its influence, it often requires the hand of God to offset its intended purpose.

In reference to the Prophet Jeremiah’s calling, the Lord said: I have this day set you over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull (tear) down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and plant (Jeremiah 1:10.  Jesus said: Every plant, which my heavenly Father has not planted, shall be rooted up (Matthew 15:10). 

In many places, in the world, the forces of evil are functioning with a firm grip that enslaves the people in the maneuvering tactics of the ungodly.  When one rises up against the ungodliness of man it is oftentimes as little David fighting the giant Goliath, who within his own power would not have prevailed, but in acknowledged God as His source of strength he slew the giant and freed Israel from enslavement by its enemy.

The Uprooting of Evil
Powers of Darkness

The Apostle Paul revealed that we wrestle not against flesh and blood (humanity), but against principalities (rulers), against powers (authorities), against the rulers (world-rulers) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness (wicked spiritual beings) in high places (Ephesians 6:12).  Apostle Peter identified our primary foe as the devil or Satan, in saying: Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walks about seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).

The believer is not left in a hopeless situation, for Apostle Peter revealed: Who resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished (experienced) in your brethren (other believers) that are in the world. But the God of all grace, who has called us into his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that you have suffered awhile, make you perfect, establish (confirm), strengthen, and settle you (1 Peter 5:9-10). Thank God for His blessed Word, affirming one’s ability to stand in faith and the promises in His Word.

In a prophecy given in a camp meeting (in the 60’s) were these words: When I visit My people in mighty revival power, it is to prepare them for the darkness ahead. With the glory shall come great darkness, for the glory is to prepare My people for the darkness. When one shall turn to the right hand or the left you shall not turn with them, but keep your eyes wholly on the Lord. God’s Word is variable and alive in the uprooting of evil rather than wallowing in its pathway of destruction.

Description of the Ungodly

Apostle Peter went to great length in identifying the traits of the ungodly, in writing:  They walk after (according to) the lust of uncleanness. Presumptuous are they, self-willed, speak evil of the things they understand not; and shall utterly perish in their own corruption.  Spots they are and blemishes, sporting (reveling) themselves with their own deceiving while they feast with you. Beguiling (enticing) unstable souls (those easily influenced); a heart they have exercised (trained) with covetous practices; which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray (2 Peter 2:10-15).

The uprooting of evil is not accomplished without first identifying its destructive nature, as Apostle Peter did so in writing: These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the midst (gloom) of darkness (a literal burning Hell) is reserved forever. They speak great swelling words of vanity (emptiness), they allure through the lusts of the flesh; while they promise liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption (2 Peter 2:17-19).  There are many today who fit into this category, proudly proclaiming their sinful lifestyles, in an attempt to seduce others into the same depravity. 

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. We are witnessing a progressive social gospel being pursued that does little to offset the sinful lifestyles being portrayed as pleasurable rather than sinful.

Evil Can Abound

The uprooting of evil is difficult when people conduct their lives as though there is no God who knows and judges every person, evil can abound.  It was noted that 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 Bible and the Gospel, to be informed that God judges and saves; truly believing this is life transforming.  

It was further noted that where there is no fear of God, no reverence for God, every evil can and will abound.  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. 

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 in human society; the best book for regulating the temporal secular concerns of men (Noah Webster). Thank God for those who realize such a need and are attempting to set the record straight, as identified in God’s Word, of peace and good-will towards men.

Resurrection of the Truth

Jesus said: If you continue (abide) in my word; you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32).  The uprooting of evil will take the resurrection of truth being released rather than suppressed.  There is deception being published towards the pleasure of sin rather than the end result of such.  Apostle Paul noted: The wages (cost) of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.  

The ungodly (evil advocators) have electronic means today that helps promote their agenda.  This makes the uprooting of evil more difficult, with deceptive voices being promulgated towards untruths rather than the truth. Some churches have come in agreement with such fallacies, rather than standing firmly on the Unadulterated (Pure) Word of God. There are those aligning with the secular world, with tolerance and acceptability, becoming the norm of the day.

It was noted that we are living in a very permissive day when the religious world is so tolerant to most any and all kinds of standards and lifestyles. This permissiveness and tolerance is the result of a self-willed and carnal minded society.  As a result of such tolerance and permissiveness, there are many churches, and even denominations, which have altered their teachings, their standards, and even their interpretations of the Scriptures to please, to comply with and accommodate this permissive and tolerant society. Very few people this day hold to their heart’s convictions; they change to blend in with their environment.

Inward Struggle

The uprooting of evil becomes more difficult with an inner struggle as identified by Apostle Paul: I delight in the law of God after (according to) the inward (spiritual) man.  But I see another law in my members (body), warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members.  O wretched man that I am. Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  It was noted that apart from the indwelling of God’s Spirit, the law of sin would have dominated Paul’s life.

It is unfortunate that some professing Christians have allowed ungodly influences to persuade and dominate their lives.  Apostle Peter declared: It is happened to them according to the true proverb, the dog is turned to his own vomit and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire (2 Peter 2:22).  It was noted that despite their profession of salvation, they had become entangled in the world and overcome by it.  

Apostle Paul acknowledged how a believer should approach such a person, with the uprooting of evil rather than appeasement and allowing it to remain, in writing: In meekness, instructing (correcting) those that oppose themselves (are in opposition); if God peradventure will give them repentance to (so they may know) the acknowledgement of the truth; and that they may recover (come to their senses) out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at (to do) his will (2 Timothy 2:25-26).

God's Provision

Scripture reveals: God so loved the world (you and I), that he gave his only begotten (one of a kind) Son, that whosoever believes in him should not perish (end up in Hell’s embrace), but have everlasting life (a heavenly abode) (John 3:16).  Apostle John wrote: He that believes on the Son (the Lord Jesus Christ) has everlasting life; and he that believes not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides (remains) on him (John 3:36).  

Apostle Peter identified why judgment is being withheld: The Lord is not slack concerning his promise (destruction of the wicked), as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

Apostle Paul wrote: Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved (experience salvation). Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is no other name under Heaven whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). I made such a commitment years ago, and will never forget that day, when a peace flooded my soul and heaven was literally opened to me. I pray, if you have not made such a commitment, you will before it is too late. 

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