Evil is a Byproduct of Broken People

I keep seeing the word “evil” thrown around. Yes, evil exists…because Satan exists. However, people aren’t born created to do evil things. People are made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

How does evil begin? Choices. Good and evil were revealed in the Garden of Eden because the deceiver chose to trick Eve who then made a bad choice. We've experienced evil and sin ever since.

Evil occurs in our society because people choose to hurt others. America’s children are being sexually and physically abused and neglected at alarming rates. Who is committing these atrocities? People who were also abused, neglected, and/or exposed to things they shouldn’t have been as a child. How do people cope with untreated abuse and trauma? They self-medicate with drugs and/or alcohol which perpetuates the abusive cycle all over again which is then acted out in many ways by participating in high-risk behavior. We could go through every background of every person who has ever committed a crime and see a pattern. It’s not rocket science. Some suffered as children, teens, or young adults more than others. Some people who suffered abuse and neglect are fortunate enough to have help and thrive after their trauma. Many do not.

Whole families who haven’t endured some forms of abuse, trauma, or neglect are very rare in our society and that should make us weep. The “evil people” everyone talks about were once young babies who had the whole world in front of them until…. Hate, anger, and sadness dwell in the hearts of those who are hurting. Some can keep it contained while others explode and do irreparable harm.

Hearts are hurting in America in various ways. Legislation can’t legislate the heart; legislation only rules the heart’s actions. We can have a billion rules and controls, but if the hearts of men and women are not well, actions deemed evil, unspeakable, and tragic will continue to play out.

Spiritual orphans, those who don’t know Jesus as their Lord and Savior, abound. May we, Christians, remember the core of Jesus’ commission to each one of us—to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19). The Apostle Paul wrote all about the heart and the transformative work which can be done because of God's forgiveness, grace, mercy, and love. His mercy and grace do the work of transformation. We simply get to play a part. Romans 10:14–15 says, "But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, 'How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!'" That last sentence is exactly what the prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 52:7 (and the verse that encapsulates the ministry and work of Sandalfeet Ministries) (emphasis mine).

It is true, we can't just pray our way out of our problems. We pray to have a conversation with God about what is on our hearts and to ask Him what is on His heart. If we stop there, we fail to live out that which He communicates to us through prayer. We need to be both the hands and feet of Jesus. All of us. The work of Christ is not left up to those employed in political positions to enact legislation or to the ones who are tasked with enforcing the rules. The work of Christ is for all those who call themselves Christians.

Pray today for the Holy Spirit to show you how you can be the hands and feet of Jesus in your community. Somewhere, there is someone hurting in some way and needs Hope. What physical need can you help meet for them to open the door? Where do you need to physically be in your community to meet the needs of someone? Are you comfortable sharing the Good News with someone who needs to hear about the Hope you have? I pray you will begin to do the things the Holy Spirit reveals to you. We, Christians, are ambassadors of Hope. We represent Christ. Christ doesn't hide or busy Himself in times of need. He shows up and reaches out. He pulls those who are drowning and close to death out of their graves and raises them to new life.

The only weeping I want to see more of is the kind of weeping which occurs when a person finally understands the Lord forgives and heals completely. If we don't tell the hurting and hopeless this life-changing message, the enemy will continue to feed them lies and our communities will continue to be ravaged by the byproduct of brokenness.

May the Holy Spirit give each of us the strength, courage, tenacity, and willingness to participate in His work.