Revealing the Nature of Evil

If you are a child of God these words define your new life:

 “Ye that love the LORD, hate evil: he preserveth the souls of his saints; he delivereth them out of the hand of the wicked.” (Psa 97:10)

To experience salvation, one must not only call on the name of Jesus but must also repent of their sins. Why is repentance of sin an imperative step in receiving forgiveness from God? To be born-again one must change their mind about what is evil and what is good. Evil is defined as a mental disregard for justice, righteousness, truth, honor and virtue. Do you hate evil? To love God you must have a revelation of the righteousness of God.

The word of God reveals that the purpose of the commandments of God was not to bring about salvation but rather to reveal the nature of evil. The Apostle Paul reveals this truth about the law of God:

“For sin, taking occasion by the commandment, deceived me, and by it slew me. Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good. Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.” (Rom 7:11-13)

If you are born-again, you understand that God’s commandments reveal two things: the righteousness of God and the evil nature of sin. This understanding should motivate you both in mind and body to reject sin and embrace God’s righteousness.

When born-again we should reject all thoughts and actions that are evil and seek to aspire to the righteousness of God. To achieve this we must do two things: reject evil and seek God’s approval:

 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.” (Jas 4:7-8)

When you are born again you will see sin as God sees sin… EVIL. To be born-again means God has forgiven you of your past, present and future sins and you are gifted with the Holy Spirit. This gift empowers us to have access to the teachings of Jesus:

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.” (John 14:26)

The teaching of the Holy Spirit reforms our minds to understand the righteousness of God and the price that was paid for the forgiveness of our sins.

Your salvation by God should and does bring about a change of how you view sinful thoughts and deeds. The Bible says:

“But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.” (1 Co 2:14-15)

The born-again believer is instructed to confess their sins; not just repent. Confessing is different than repentance. Confessing sin is part of the sanctification a follower of Jesus experiences. As you live out your spiritual life in the physical world, you will fail to follow the righteousness of God. This requires restoration, not for your salvation, but your sanctification:

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 Jn 1:9).  

Christians confess their sins as the first step in dealing with sin. Confession of sin provides a spiritual and emotional healing and, sometimes, even physical healing. Christians are encouraged to make confession a part of Christian fellowship. We are instructed to:

“Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”(Jas 5:16)

To live a life of victory you must not only reject evil but you must embrace righteousness. This change of attitude about the nature will change not only the way you think but will change the way you live out your life as you go on your journey to be with Jesus in His Father’s  Kingdom.