THE FACE OF EVIL

Evil has an ingenious way to snake into our lives, and supplant the truth with lies, while pretending to be our friend and well-wisher, with only our good at its heart. Beware such tricks of the evil. Beware, lest we ourselves become the agents of evil, and a while latter, the very evil itself. A glance at human history will reveal such evil in all its splendour. Look at individuals, groups and so called nations, that claim and call themselves as the “chosen children of God,” exceptional and special, like none in the entire human history. A pity and a tragedy to see, the amount of evil and destruction they have brought about, in just a few centuries.
– “13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15

– TEMPTATION IN THE GARDEN OF EDEN
Evil comes as a friend. As someone who has the good of the other person in its heart.
– “​1 Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” – Genesis 3:1

– TEMPTATION OF JESUS
Evil comes in the form of a concerned and well-intending “intellectual” – speaking logic and reason, through the scriptures, to an exhausted Jesus, because of the forty day fasting.
– “​​1 Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2 And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. 3 And the tempter came and said to him…” – Matthew 4:1-3a

– EVIL SPEAKS THROUGH THOSE CLOSE TO US
Remember Jesus’ rebuke of Peter – “get thee behind me Satan!” 
– “22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. 23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” – Matthew 16:22-23

In the above instances, evil comes as our friend and our well-wisher. Let us know it, and remember always that…
– Evil never reveals its true colours.
– Evil hides itself in layers of deceit.
– Evil cloaks itself in good clothes and appears righteous, just and fair.

– Evil speaks ever so eloquently.
– Evil speaks sweetly.
– Evil whispers ‘sweet nothings’ like someone in love does.

Evil’s heart and its intent is always, to steal, kill and destroy – John 10:10. It has always been so, and it will always be so. Evil appears beautiful to look at, but is ugly to the very core, deep within.
– “5 And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” – Genesis 6:5
– “9 The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10 I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings.” – Jeremiah 17:9-10

Let us be wise and careful with those who display active evil in their thoughts, words and deeds. Let us be careful about ourselves, dear friends. May we not be influenced by such evil. May we be careful not to become ourselves, the agents of evil, and evil itself, because of our thoughts, words and deeds – a true reflection of our deepest and innermost motives and intent.
– “15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?…20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. 21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” – Matthew 7:15-16,20-23.

May the LORD help us to walk in faithfulness and integrity all the days of our lives. May we be found by our LORD, as good and faithful servants. Even so, the LORD help us.