
“Is there such a thing as 'good and evil'?” The tutor’s words seemed to amuse herself, and though we were in an academic writing seminar, students jumped on the question like eager philosophic debaters.
“…the world isn’t black and white. It just (expletive) isn’t.”
“I mean, I think there is good and evil. But like, things aren’t inherently evil. There’s some good in it, y’know?”
“I believe there is truth in all religions. There's some good in everything.”
I just watched a man in London’s West End wheeze inaudible words. His eyes flashed ghost white. He was old but had boy-like features, with a shrinking, hunched back and arms that dangled like a ragdoll. “Eeezzzeerrrrmmuuss,” he rasped. A demonic spirit terrorized him. You could feel it twenty feet away.
I find no need to recount how often light and darkness touch down on earth. You do not need to tell Satanists God is real. Those playing in any occult would laugh at the notion there is no such thing as darkness. We feel it when we walk into a haunted house or rub shoulders with someone who is demonically oppressed. It is not a religious scare method or even a writing tool. Truth exists. Evil exists. Both sides know it.
The world lacks gravity because it has rejected truth. Bookstores no longer have religious selections. The closest in relation is “Mind, Body, and Spirit” which goes as far as self-help guides. Spirituality and moral theology – even modern theology – is treated like an ancient genre: inexistent, inaccessible. Yet even scientists know absolutes are foundational. Laws govern the universe. Morality is written on our hearts. The Word of God has always and will always remain the absolute truth. There is no other lifeline. It saves us from being swallowed in darkness. Do we live like we cannot breathe without consuming the Word of God?
“…the world isn’t black and white.” The student’s words played over and over in my head. How lost people must be to believe there are no absolutes, that there is “truth in all religions.” And yet religion itself is relayed as rigid – a thing of the past. How scary it will be for those who do not believe in Heaven and Hell when our time is done here on earth! Do we live this way, or do we slide along, drifting in light and darkness? Do we abhor what is evil, or do we look the other way when it fills our minds?
My heart is racing that we must spread light in dark places. But first we must consciously choose God or Satan. Light and darkness are both pulling at us. At some point you will be attacked by a spirit of anxiety, or pure fear, and you will need God’s word to overcome its force. Good and evil are both to be feared. ‘Do they exist’ is not the question; ‘do we live like they are real’ is our battle. Get in the Word.
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“But Jesus told him, “No! The Scriptures say, ‘People do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” (Matthew 4:4)
“For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” (Ephesians 6:12)
“Today I have given you the choice between life and death, between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might live!” (Deuteronomy 30:19)
“Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.” (Ephesians 6:13-18)
“The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it.” (John 1:5)
What a true word. The fight is not what's scary; good will always win. Denying or ignoring the reality of the fight is the most frightening place to be.