No Need to Know Evil

Can we know too much about evil to the point we are no longer doing God, ourselves, and anyone else any good? During the pandemic it was easy to read about all kinds of conspiracy theories, although some have proven to be true. But there were some pretty extreme messages and emails I received with links online to the deep state, and the anti-Christ spirit behind all the lockdowns and Covid itself.

 Reading such dark material affected my mental health and well-being. I had to stop reading most of this stuff. That is all a part of a past that is dead and buried. I am a child of God and no longer walk in darkness. Some believers didn’t like or agree with the stand I took telling me that I should know what’s going on so I know how to pray. And yet, I don’t need to know any of that to know how to pray. God will give me the nudge to pray and the knowledge to know who and what to pray for!

Rom 8:26  Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.

Rom 8:27  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

 And so, I thought I would check Scripture about how we should approach evil world news and evil inspired events, and God brought these verses to mind:

 Rom 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

 I love the use of “wise” and “simple” here. Focus on God’s ways, not evil ways. For a better context, here are verses surrounding verse 19:

 Rom 16:17  Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

Rom 16:18  For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.

Rom 16:19  For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.

Rom 16:20  And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

God will tell us what we need to know. Some might think this is ignorance and naivety, but it isn’t. It is simply bringing ALL glory to God and not looking for something satanic when clearly God is in control.

 1Pe 3:10  For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.

1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

1Pe 3:13  And who is he that will harm you, if ye be followers of that which is good?

1Pe 3:14  But and if ye suffer for righteousness' sake, happy are ye: and be not afraid of their terror, neither be troubled;

1Pe 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

I Peter 3:11 says to avoid evil and do good. Verse 13 says to be followers of that which is good! And verse 15 speaks of a ready heart filled with hope offered to people in dire need of our Savior. So where does this leave us as far as knowing what is going on in the world? I’m going to answer this with a story.

 When I was a clued-out teenager, I mean clued out to the ways of evil, I listened to a similar lie of the devil. The subtle lie was this: How can you reach the lost if you don’t know anything about their religion or how they believe? Ever hear that one before? Something told me not to, but I was handed a book steeped in the occult and it was based on Eastern religions. There was some truth to it, but it was twisted (earthly, sensual, devilish), and far away from the clean, unyielding and pure truth of God’s Word as He reveals Himself. I was drawn to its philosophies, took it to heart, and by doing so, I unwittingly opened myself up to Satan and his demonic messengers. Within a few months of being steeped in eastern religions (and recreational drugs), I became nervous and undone.  I had also previously delved into cult practices and read other books that delved into demon possession.  The result? I had a nervous breakdown that kept me weak, unable to work, and locked in a dark prison in my mind for months and months. Did I learn something about dabbling in dark areas I shouldn’t be? I sure did. And it was not an instantaneous delivery or recovery for me either. It happened, but it took years.

And it’s not just avoiding reading books on the occult, I think we have to be very careful what we read and listen to nowadays because everyone knows that woke, saying all the right things at the right time regardless of the truth, and misinformation, are the rule of the day. The news conglomerates seem to be promoting their own agenda.  In many ways, the news of the world seem to work against the truth of God’s Word, a Word that is meant to lead us to love, life and life eternal through Jesus Christ our dear Lord.

Actually, the Bible is GOOD NEWS cover to cover. This is what we are to be promoting! Everything to do with God is GOOD NEWS! Why aren’t we talking about Him more than the evil junk going on all around us? Yes, there’s a battle going on, but here’s a news flash! As followers and believers in Jesus Christ - WE WIN!

 Remember the story of the man that had a legion of demons, and Jesus delivered him, and the demons entered the swine? What did Jesus tell the man who was now in his right mind?

 Luke 8:39  Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him.

What is he publishing? The fact that he was possessed? Only to the extent that he was DELIVERED! He published the great things Jesus had done for Him. Don’t you agree that we should be doing the same?