GOOD VS. EVIL
These thoughts are taken from Psalm 36:1-4; 10-12, NLT.
"Sin whispers to the wicked, deep within their hearts. They have no fear of God at all" (Psalm 36:1)
Oh, dear friend, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10). The fear of the LORD is the gatekeeper. It is the distinguisher. When you fear the LORD it means you have a reverential awe and respect of His holiness, His power, and His authority. You realize that He is the Creator and you are the creation. You acknowledge that His Word is the only source of truth and there are eternal consequences for ignoring it or disobeying it.
If that isn't settled, the paths that go deep into your heart will go in two diametrically opposite directions. If you fear the LORD the path goes one way; if you exalt yourself the path will go another. Both pathways end up deep within your heart and whisper to you telling you what to do. One whispers evil; the other whispers righteousness. Deep inside of you, which voice is whispering? Almost every demonically influenced person says they hear voices. Almost every person with a fear of the LORD hears a voice whispering within their spirit as well. Different voices.
"In their blind conceit, they cannot see how wicked they really are" (Psalm 36:2).
When you fear the LORD, it always results in humility. The two are inseparable. When you exalt yourself, it always results in pride and blind conceit. They are inseparable, as well. Wicked people call good evil and evil good. They are blind. They can't even see how wicked they are. They believe a lie, set themselves up as god, and their foolish heart becomes darkened. God doesn't do it to them. They choose it.
"Everything they say is crooked and deceitful. They refuse to act wisely or do good. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. Their actions are never good. They make no attempt to turn from evil" (Psalm 36:3-4).
Have you seen this? This reads like today's headlines. Deeper and deeper they go. They refuse the light. They reject wisdom, decency, morality, goodness, and even common sense. They make no attempt to turn from evil. They dig in their heels. They lie awake at night, hatching sinful plots. They act like clones and puppets. Why? They are being controlled by the same source.
What about the righteous? O God, may I lie awake at night thinking of ways I can glorify You and bless others. May I intentionally plan deeds of goodness, righteousness, and love.
You can have nothing to do with the sinful works of evil. Evil will never become better. It will never reform. It will never adjust and self-correct. Your war isn't against people. You need to love people and pray they will be released from the evil forces that have blinded them and hold them captive. It is a war, but your objective is not to kill the captives. Your objective is to overcome evil and free the captives through love and truth.
"For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12, NLT).
Psalm 36:10-12 closes with this word of hope: "Pour out Your unfailing love on those who love You; give justice to those with honest hearts. Don't let the proud trample me or the wicked push me around. Look! Those who do evil have fallen! They are thrown down, never to rise again."
Amen and amen. I choose to fear God and armor up!
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