Scripture Reading: Amos 5:12-15
Evil in Our Time
Intro.
1. Jesus died to deliver us from this present evil age, Gal. 1:4.
-The devil is the evil one, Matt. 6:13.
2. Command to detest evil and cling to good, Rom. 12:9 (Amos 5:14-15).
3. What is evil? (Evil is diabolical.) What is good? (Matt. 19:16-17)
a. Evil is not just “in the eye of the beholder.”
b. We must discern good and evil from the Scriptures, Heb. 5:13-14.
I. DEFINING EVIL (every appearance, fashion, shape, sight, 1 Thess. 5:22).
-poneros (hurtful, wicked); kakos (worthless, depraved); sapros (rotten, corrupt).
A. Evil is Real, Matt. 5:45.
B. Evil Comes from Within (heart), Mark 7:23; Matt. 9:4; 12:34-35.
C. Evil is Contrary to God’s Will and Brings Condemnation, John 5:29 (Heb. 13:21).
II. PRESENT EVIL AGE CALLS GOOD EVIL AND EVIL GOOD, Isa. 5:20-21.
-(Sin/Moral corruption/Relativism/Godlessness: Abortion, LGBTQ, sexual immorality, religious apostasy)
A. Consider the Progression of Distorting Evil and Calling it Good.
“First we overlook evil. Then we permit evil. Then we legitimize (legalize) evil. Then we promote evil. Then we celebrate evil. Then we persecute those who still call it evil.”
1. Overlook evil. We begin to tolerate evil.
a. “Everybody does it.” | “Nobody is harmed by it.” | “After all, it’s a personal choice – none of my business.”
b. Jesus doesn’t tolerate evil, Matt. 21:12-13; We must not, Eph. 6:10-13.
2. Permit evil. (Parents, schools, gov’t, churches, etc.)
a. cf. Pilate, John 19:10 (Matt. 27:24).
b. We must not, 1 Thess. 5:22; 1 Cor. 5:13.
3. Legitimize (legalize) evil.
a. Satan’s tactic with Eve, Gen. 3:4-6 (flesh, eyes, pride).
b. cf. “End justifies the means,” Rom. 3:8 (theft, abortion, gambling, pornography, etc.).
c. We must give no place (opportunity) to the devil, Eph. 4:27.
4. Promote evil (2 Chron. 19:2).
a. cf. Religious promotion of evil, Matt. 23:14-15. (see notes)
b. RCC: Pope just authorized priests to “bless” same-sex couples, “insisting that people seeking God's love and mercy shouldn't be subject to ‘an exhaustive moral analysis’ to receive it . . . “Ultimately, a blessing offers people a means to increase their trust in God,” the document said. (Newsmax.com) Blessing sin! 1
c. Instead of promoting, we must abstain from evil, 1 Thess. 5:22 (Eph. 5:11).
5. Celebrate evil. cf. Satanic Temple, Pride month, antisemitism. . .
a. Bible example: Judah and Jerusalem, Jer. 32:31-35.
b. We must celebrate righteousness, Eph. 4:20-24.
6. Persecute those who still call it evil. [“Hateful,” “intolerant,” “bigot,” “Self-righteous,” etc. when you stand up for God’s truth against evil.]
-cf. Apostles, 1 Cor. 4:9-13; 2 Cor. 6:3-10.
B. What Are We to Do When Good is Called Evil and Evil Good?
1. Do not render evil for evil, overcome with good, Rom. 12:17, 21.
2. God’s blessing is on you, give answers, good conduct, 1 Pet. 3:13- 17.
3. Be the salt of the earth and light of the world, Matt. 5:13-16.
Conclusion
1. Do not be conformed to this age, Rom. 12:2.
2. Be a blessing by doing good in word and deeds, 1 Pet. 3:8-12.
NOTES
Some of the churches that accept gay marriage are 123:
· Quakers (Society of Friends)
· Metropolitan Community Church
· Buddhist Orders
· The United Protestant Church of France and the United Protestant Church in Belgium
· The Episcopal Church
· The Presbyterian Church (USA)
· The Reform Jewish Movement
· The Conservative Jewish Movement
· The United Church of Christ
· The Unitarian Universalist Association of Churches
By: Joe R. Price
Posted December 20, 2023