Recognizing the evil spirit
Recognizing the evil spirit
Ezekiel 18:21 “But if a wicked man turns away from all the sins he has committed and keeps all my decrees and does what is just and right, he will surely live; he will not die.”
Extra Reading: Ezekiel 18:1-32
God’s Word has repeatedly warned people of committing evil and thinking they will get away with it. Evil is the presence of corruption and depravity in the world, opposed to God’s nature and will. Scripture stresses that evil is a force in its own right, rather than the mere absence of good, and describes its origins and the manner in which God deals with its continuing presence and power in his world. Satan is the source of evil. Revelation 12:9 states, “The great dragon was hurled down-that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.” Satan is the enemy of God, and he will make all attempts to harm those who follow the true and the living God. Satan is the one incited David to take a census of Israel against the will of God. Satan is especially associated with deceit, temptation and testing, through which he attempts to deflect believers from obeying God. He also opposes the presence and purposes of God in the world. He is the one who opposed the work of the archangel Michael (Jude 9). In John 13:2 we see the Satan prompting Judas to betray Jesus Christ.
Scripture outlines several ways in which believers should respond to evil. Psalm 1:1 states, “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.” We need to shun evil in all its forms. Evil is to be hated (Proverbs 8:13). Evil is to be rebuked (Mark 8:33). The devil was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). The serpent deceived Eve by its craftiness (2 Cor. 11:3). Jesus warned his disciples that Satan demanded to have them all to sieve them like wheat (Luke 22:31). We need to be on guard against evil. Otherwise we shall find ourselves swayed from the ways of the Lord. He is the accuser of the brethren (Rev. 12:10). God opposes evil. God’s law was given to counter evil by exposing it (Romans 7:7). Although evil continues to be present and active in the world, Scripture gives an assurance that God will finally triumph over evil in all its forms. Thank God that Satan’s power is already limited by God.
Prayer: Father God, help us to overcome evil every day. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen!
Rev. Samuel N. Modise
