Good Versus Evil - By Donna L Young
What is good versus evil?
It is a battle between God, who represents all that is good against Satan or the Devil, who represents all that is evil. They are fighting in a war for the souls of humans.
Who is God?
While no human can ever completely define who God is, we can look to scripture for a basic understanding. Scripture tells us that: God Is Spirit (John 4:24).God Is Changeless (Heb 1:12).God Is All Powerful (Gen 17:1; 18:14, Gen 18:25, Isa 40:27-31).God Is All Knowing (Job 38:39; Rom 11:33-36, Job 37:16; Ps 147:5, and Heb 3:13).God Is Everywhere (Ps 139:7-12, Gen 18:25).God Is Eternal (2 Peter 3:8; Rev 1:8).God Is Holy (Isa 6:1-3, Eph 4:24).God Is Righteous (Gen 18:25; Deut 32:4; Rom 2:6-16, Rom 1:16-17; 3:24-26).God Is Love (John 3:16, Gen 1:31; Ps 145:9; Mark 10:18).God Is Truth (John 14:6). And, God Is Wisdom (1 Tim 1:17, 1 Kings 3:9; James 1:5).
And who is Satan or the devil?
There was a time when Satan, then called Lucifer, was an anointed cherub in heaven who was perfect in the sight of God (Ezekiel 28:14-15, Isaiah 14:12). But Lucifer wasn't content in his position as one of God's angels, so he challenged God and fell from God's grace (Isaiah 14:12-14).
Lucifer fell because of pride. But he didn't stop there. He made himself an enemy to God and sparked a war over the souls of man, in particular, those who love God and His only Son, Jesus Christ.
And now, Lucifer has become the ruler of this world (John 12:31, 14:30 and 16:11), the great deceiver, a liar and the father of lies (John 8:44) and the angel of the bottomless pit and a destroyer (Revelation 9:11).
What is my role in this fight?
Since our souls are the prize of this battle, and Satan's pride is on the line, it seems he will do whatever is necessary, deceive, attack, lie, destroy and divide, to discourage humans from doing God's will and spending eternity with God. This means, especially after a decision is made to live for Christ, believers will be under Satan's attack. (Ephesians 6:12). In other words, if Satan can use you against God, he will!
A perfect Example: God blesses me!
A few months ago, I quit my job. I had worked for the same employer for almost five years. Compelled to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others, an act forbidden with this employer, I submitted notice. I wasn't sure how I was going to provide for myself or my six-year-old child; I just knew I should be obedient and quit. I had been receiving supplemental unemployment checks due to a reduction of hours for over one year, but was under the impression that the Employment Development Department (EDD) would no longer pay my claim because I made the decision to quit.
About a week after I quit, I received a letter from EDD stating that a phone interview had been scheduled. My family and I were bewildered. Why would they call me? Thinking that I would never see another dime from EDD, I prayed that God would use the situation to allow me to testify to how good He has been to me. Then I spoke with a very sweet woman from EDD who, "just so happened to be a Christian." I shared my testimony with her. When the conversation closed, I told her that I was adding her name to my prayer board and that she should be at peace with whatever decision she made. I said I knew with all certainty that God would provide an income: through the book He led me to write, another job, something. I was not worried.
To my surprise, about a week later, I received a check that would pay 3/4 of my rent. I praised God that the woman from EDD was obedient to His will and that He provided rent for one more month for my son and me.
Satan Attacks!
Then, I received a letter from EDD stating that the Christian agency I worked for was contesting the claim. After a few prayers, I decided to stop sending in the claims and started to believe the conversation with the woman from EDD had served its purpose. She was to hear my testimony. It was never about the money.
When I called my past supervisor to explain what had happened, he was very angry and defensive. I felt confused. My last day at this company was filled with hugs and prayer, yet in this conversation, he was telling me that he was going to gather others to testify against me and hurt me if I continued the claim. I told him I would not fight evil with evil and that I loved him and we ended the call.
My role in the fight.
1. First, I prayed for protection, knowing that I was in the shadow of the Almighty (Psalm 91).
Over the weekend, I prayed on my knees in repentance that I had made enemies who were willing to hurt me. I prayed that Satan would stop attacking through my past supervisor. I prayed that God would bless my past supervisor and any other enemy I had made. I asked my church Pastor to pray for me and he did.
2. Next, I made sure not to give into temptation, knowing that "The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good" (Proverbs 15:3).
I wrote to my past supervisor and asked him to forgive me for any trespasses and explained that I would not fight evil with evil.
3. And finally, I did not fight evil with evil, this way, evil would not win (Matt. 5; Rom. 12:17; 1 Thess. 5:15).
Instead of going to court to win the claim and defend myself, I showed mercy, love and kindness to my past supervisor (Matthew 5:44). In the letter I wrote to him, I stated, " If I were to ever to gather others together for your sake, it would be to show you God's grace and mercy. You are loved, despite all that you may do to hurt me."
What was the outcome?
While my past employer has not replied to the letter, the days that followed were filled with unexpected joy and peace. I had chosen God (good) over Satan (evil) and was blessed in return.
Donna L. Young graduated from Liberty Baptist University with a Masters Degree in Theological Studies and is the Author of the book "Apologies from a Repentant Christian." To learn more about this author, please visit: http://dlouyoung.blogspot.com. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_L_Young Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6268856
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