Do you recognize evil? It is everywhere. The world is soaked in it due to sin. You learn of the ramifications of sin in 2 Corinthians 4:4, “Satan, who is the god of this world, has blinded the minds of those who don’t believe. They are unable to see the glorious light of the Good News. They don’t understand this message about the glory of Christ, who is the exact likeness of God.” All people walk around with blinders on due to sin until they choose to turn from their sin and follow God through His Son Jesus Christ.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through Him.” (John 3:16-17)
The days we live in are evil. When you study the scriptures, you learn that sin is sin and these same sins are committed in every generation. Our days will remain evil until Jesus returns to end it once and for all. In the meantime, God is searching every heart to see who desires to follow His Son. When He finds those who truly seek Him, He reveals Himself to them and transforms their lives. A sinful person goes from dead in sin to alive in Christ. He or she becomes a child of God and can now enter into heaven when God calls them home.
Satan sugar-coats sin. So much so that even believers, today, are struggling to see correctly. The upcoming presidential election is a perfect example of this. To have clear discernment with what is going on in the U.S., let’s look at 2 Kings 8:7-15 to aid in recognizing evil.
King Ben (I shortened his name) of Aram was an enemy to Israel. Ben became ill. He desired to know if he would recover so he had one of his officers, named Hazael, ask the prophet Elisha for an answer. God spoke through prophets in the Old Testament. Elisha gave Hazael an answer. It was a tough one for Elisha had to reveal bad news for Israel.
Hazael asked Elisha if King Ben would recover. First, Elisha answered with a yes, then he said no he wouldn’t; see verse 10. Elisha stared at Hazael with a fixed gaze that made Hazael uneasy, then Elisha wept. The future was looking pretty grim for Israel.
God was revealing a sad reality that was to come. Elisha told Hazael in verse 12, ” I know the terrible things you will do to the people of Israel.” Pay attention to the four things that God lists out that Hazael will do: 1. You will burn their fortified cities. 2. You will kill their young men with the sword. 3. You will dash their little children to the ground. 4. You will rip open their pregnant women.”
Now, take note of Hazael’s response, “How could a nobody like me ever accomplish such great things?” What a vile heart. And you see how these four things are happening in our country.
For Hazael to have the power to do this, something dreadful had to happen to King Ben. Remember what Elisha told him in verse 10? It is now coming to fruition. Hazael went back to the king and told him that he would recover from his illness. He lied. The next day, Hazael took a wet blanket and held it over the king’s face. He died. Who became king? Good ol’ Hazael, or should I say, “Evil Hazael.”
We are a few weeks from a pivotal election. Please take the time to really know what is going on in our country. What used to be two parties that helped to balance each other in democracy has now been shoved to the side. The battle between good and evil is at hand. It is staring us right in the face. The question is, which side are you on?
There is a distinction between good and evil, and it is being played out for all to see. For many, who remain wearing blinders, it is hard to discern. The enemy doesn’t have to work hard at deceiving people. Before you vote, recognize what is truly before you. There is a side that is promoting opposition to God while the other is trying to protect it. One is serving death while the other serves good.
Whether you follow God or not, God’s standards lead us all. The earth is the Lord’s and it always will be. You were created, with great value I might add, by God. He gave you life. Your beating heart is evident of God. Take the U.S., for example, it has flourished for almost 250 years because of God’s standards being implemented. Unfortunately, many Americans have taken God’s blessings for granted.
Vote wisely my friend. You do not want to experience a Hazael-like leader running our country. Recognize evil for what it is.
(*Note: I am taking a 2-week hiatus to care for my daughter who is having surgery.)
Carol J German 