Evil

They say, “My ways are not your ways, says the Lord.”

/ Joan C. Thomson / Leave a comment

“My ways are not your ways, says the Lord.” Is it true?

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This is a true Scripture that is generally quoted out of context in order to assure people that there’s no point in asking why someone is sick, or died, or why their prayers weren’t answered.

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

“As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Isaiah 55:8.9

This is God’s lament—not his plan.  God lamented that the Israelites didn’t forgive like he does.  Now read it in context:

 ISA 55:7 Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts.

 Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon.

 ISA 55:8 “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,”

declares the LORD.

 ISA 55:9 “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.

and my thoughts than your thoughts.

God was addressing evil people, who wouldn’t forgive. This is certainly not his plan or desire for Christians to have evil thoughts, especially since we have been given “the mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16) and we are to walk in all his ways or steps (1 Peter 2:21).

If you’re a follower of Jesus and the Lord’s ways are not your ways, why not?

They say,”Sometimes you have to chose between the lesser of two evils.”

/ Joan C. Thomson / Leave a comment

Why in the world would a Christian ever choose any evil? God has clearly urged us to choose good and blessings over evil and cursing.

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him. Deuteronomy 30:19, 20

Followers of Jesus are to walk in the light of obeying his teachings—not giving into the devil.  To conclude that one must “choose the lesser of two evils” is, in effect, to say, “Well, the devil has me backed into a corner and I have no way out so I have to do things his way.”  God always provides a way out of every temptation (1 Corinthians 10:12-14). Followers of Jesus do not have to give in to the devil.

The “lesser of two evils” can sometimes even look good, as can a political candidate but Scripture warns that even the devil can appear as an “angel of light” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15).

Don’t be fooled—evil is always from and of the devil and should never be accepted by a follower of Jesus.

Each tree is recognized by its own fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers.A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of. Luke 6:44-46

If you choose evil, you’ll get evil.

Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:7-9

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. James 4:7,8