Deliver Us From Evil

We recently attended a Sunday morning service at a mega-church in Southern California. As we entered we were required to have our bags checked. It was a stinging reminder of how the times have changed.  In our world today, evil appears to be present everywhere.

To begin with, how do we define evil? In reality I don’t like to think too deeply on this subject. But I felt it necessary in view of the current culture war. In essence, evil is opposed to and contradicts God’s nature and will. There is evil committed against others (murder, theft, etc.), and evil committed against God (unbelief, idolatry, blasphemy).

“You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created, until unrighteousness was found in you. By the abundance of your trade you were internally filled with violence, and you sinned” (Ezekiel 28: 15-16a).

Now it so happens the origin of evil began with the rebellion of Satan (mentioned in Ezekiel). As a result he is the source of all evil. He is active in the world and bitterly opposed to God. Most commonly he is referred to as Satan, Lucifer, the devil, the enemy, the “father of lies,” “god of this world,” and many other names.

“Do not fear those who kill the body but are unable to kill the soul; but rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew 10:28).

When we start to look around and see the intensity of evil taking place under our radar, fear can set in. But not to worry, the devil and evil were conquered at the Cross. But even if an evil assault on a believer brings about death, the battle is still won. In the end, we have victory over death (1 Corinthians 15:55).

A question that is often raised is; why does God allow evil or why does it exist? I believe it comes down to free will. Would we have free will if we did not have the possibility to disobey God? Therefore, evil is the result of people using their freedom to choose in the wrong way.

“Woe to those who call evil good, and good evil; who substitute darkness for light, and light for darkness” (Isaiah 5:20). Sadly, evil has become mainstream in our culture.

Today, for many, discerning what is good and evil can be confusing. Why is that? Many are ignorant of Biblical standards and the PC culture has done a good job confusing the differences between good and evil. Calling evil good is surely a snapshot of what is taking place in our world.

So many sins forbidden in the scriptures are often held up as being good. From politics, to education, from the media to the literary world, darkness is the trend (substituting darkness for light). Yet many blindly choose to follow these distorted viewpoints.

The PC culture has even gone so far as to ignore the evil that is a direct consequence of their ideology. Perhaps, many are deceived themselves. Maybe a supernatural delusion has come upon them as written by the Apostle Paul, “And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false” (2 Thessalonians 2:11).

“But deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:13a). We are to pray to be delivered from evil.

To be precise, to be delivered from evil involves two things. First we need deliverance from the external assaults of the devil out there in our world (1 Peter 5:8 – “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour”).

“Put on the full armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil” (Ephesians 6:11).

We must remember that we are in a battle, a spiritual one. We must be engaged in spiritual warfare and put on the armor of God.  Satan knows his days are numbered and he wants to take down as many Christians as possible.

The second thing we need deliverance from is the evil within ourselves. As we struggle with our sin natures, the temptation to sin is thrown at us 24/7. Furthermore, the youth of today is exposed to temptation like never before. The age of innocence is gone.

“No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Temptation is common to everyone. Clearly, we should not open ourselves to temptation. But when it does come our way God promises to provide the way of escape. The best way of escape is to follow the example of our Lord.

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11) He used the word of God to overcome. This means we should read the scriptures and do what the scriptures say to do. Jesus was our model in overcoming temptation, so let’s look to his example. And if we fail at times, and we will, the Lord promises to be with us (Psalm 37:24 – “When he falls, he shall not be hurled headlong; because the Lord is the One who holds his hand”).

“And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever” (Revelation 20:10).

At the height of history’s darkest moment, Christ will return to conquer the devil.  As we wait our faith is tested by evil. Meanwhile we pray, “Dear Lord, deliver us from evil.”

“The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” (2 Timothy 4:18).