Deliver Us From Evil

On October 1, 2017 a gunman opened fire on a large crowd gathered for a concert. The world watched the news…..stunned. This was the deadliest mass shooting by one individual in U.S. history. For an entire week the news media speculated as to why this happened. By the day after the shooting this incident had already turned into a gun debate, a hotel security debate, and a bump fire stock debate. The one discussion I did not see on any news outlet was a discussion on evil itself. What exactly is evil? Where does it come from? Who is the evil one? Is he a myth or reality?

We are told the shooter arrived at his hotel room on September 28th. After putting a “DO NOT DISTURB” sign on his door he methodically went into action. His diabolical plan to massacre innocent people was now in motion. It is reported that he carried more than ten suitcases into his room. By the time the carnage was over, nearly 60 people had lost their lives and nearly 500 were injured. Eventually the shooter took his own life and he was found in his room along with 23 firearms, a large quantity of ammunition, and numerous high-capacity magazines and cameras to record everything.

I can’t personally get my brain around the evil that goes into planning something this heinous. Yet, this was just the most recent mass killing. In recent years we have seen evil show up all around the world. Evil was present in the airplane attacks at the World Trade Center, the Pentagon and in Shanksville, Pa. It was present in shootings in subways, malls, theatres, schools, night clubs, airports, universities, churches and military bases. Evil was present when trucks were used to kill people in France and London. Evil was at the core of the genocides in Africa and the Middle East and the holocaust in Europe. The Bible recounts evil entering the world in the book of Genesis and it has plagued humankind ever since.

We as Christians have an opportunity to make a difference after these atrocities occur. Rather than allowing the news media to dictate the discussions and debates, we have a chance to set the record straight. As Christians we need to speak out about the underlying cause of evil in the world. As people continue to turn away from God, evil seems to gain a stronghold in the world.

Why are some people innately good while others are innately evil? In Mark 7:21-22 it is written “From within people, from their hearts, come evil thoughts, unchastity, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, licentiousness, envy, blasphemy, arrogance, folly.” As Christians we recognize that Satan is behind this evil. He is the master deceiver and the great liar.

As Christians we believe that evil comes about as a consequence of free will. Evil thrives when people choose to follow their ways rather than God’s ways. The ways of man are seen in selfishness, self-absorption and narcissism. The ways of God produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility and self-control. Galatians 5:23 tells us “The Spirit has given us life; he must also control our lives.”

Today in the realm of modern neuroscience and psychopathology there are some scientists putting forth a completely different premise for the root of evil. It’s no surprise that their theories don’t point to Satan as a cause of evil nor do they see God as a solution. One scientist theorizes that the term “evil” is an unscientific word and should be replaced with the word “empathy.” He puts forth the notion that all people have varying degrees of empathy from 0-100%. The less empathetic someone is the more evil they are. He believes that there are “empathy circuits” in the brain, 13 specific regions, and these circuits determine whether a person is more or less evil. In fact, he seems to discount the existence of a person’s free will. To him, good versus evil is simply driven by the chemistry in our brain.

Throughout many of my 4th Day Letters I have written extensively about Satan. You can type “Satan” in the search box on this page to see those articles. I choose to believe in him. Jesus Himself attests to the reality of Satan. Luke 10:18 states: “Jesus said, “I have observed Satan fall like lightning from the sky.”  1 Peter 5:8 gives us this warning: “Be sober and vigilant. Your opponent the devil is prowling around like a roaring lion looking for [someone] to devour.” His power is also mentioned in Jude 1:9, and John 12:31, and we are told in 1 John 5:19 that we belong to God but the whole world is under the power of Satan.

Modern science can continue to purport evil as a brain circuitry problem, and the news media can see these issues wrapped up in the political football of gun control. I choose to see Satan as its cause and I propose that we all take seriously the words of Ephesians 6:13-19. In these verses we read: “Therefore, put on the armor of God, that you may be able to resist on the evil day and, having done everything, to hold your ground.”

Evil came into this world when man exercised free will and chose against God. It seems that our modern secular world continues to try to push God out of everything. Is it any wonder that we observe so much evil today?

There is no doubt that Satan wields power in this world, but our Bible assures us that God is in control and evil will be defeated once and for all when Jesus returns. Let’s remember to keep the victims of these tragedies and their families in our prayers.

Father I come to you with the words your Son taught us: “Lead us not into temptation but DELIVER US FROM EVIL, AMEN! (Matthew 6:13)

As always, I love to read your comments below as well as hear from you personally by clicking here.

Brian Pusateri
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14 Comments

  1. Melody on October 12, 2017 at 11:55 pm

    This article was right on target showing the true reality of our world today. Evil is alive and well. We must all prepare to stand against it. Thank you for sharing this.

    • Brian Pusateri on October 13, 2017 at 4:41 am

      Melody

      Thank you for posting, may God be with you.

      Brian

  2. Michael T. Schaefer on October 11, 2017 at 6:05 pm

    Thanks Brian,
    Your message is right on point. Satan likes division in all places & Gods word says the house divided against itself will fall. Continuing to pray for our County & those who live in it.
    Peace,
    Michael

    • Brian Pusateri on October 11, 2017 at 6:50 pm

      Michael

      You are right. Satan is always trying to divide. Thanks for posting.

      Brian

  3. Angela on October 11, 2017 at 5:28 am

    Great article

    • Brian Pusateri on October 11, 2017 at 10:29 am

      Thank you!

      • Fr. Namdev on October 11, 2017 at 11:43 am

        The article has opened my inner eyes to reflect from a different angle.
        Thank you so much.

        • Brian Pusateri on October 11, 2017 at 11:46 am

          Fr. Namdev

          Great to hear from you my friend. Thanks for posting. May God bless your day.

          Brian

  4. Jim Nolan on October 10, 2017 at 4:26 pm

    One of the things that I have noticed is that many people seem to see guilt and remorse as always bad and feelings that should be avoided. One of the common criticisms of religion is that it fosters guilt feelings. I understand that it can be very debilitating when we harbor guilt over a long period of time and allow it to fester without taking any steps toward repenting or asking God and our brothers and sisters for forgiveness. However, in the short run, I think guilt and remorse can be very powerful in moving us to see the potential evil within us as well as our dependence on God can move usto take steps to move away from that. If we have a relationship with God, we can accept our weaknesses and our guilt and ask for the strength to turn our lives away from evil toward Jesus.

    • Brian Pusateri on October 10, 2017 at 5:04 pm

      Jim

      Thanks for sharing these thoughts. I have often thought of guilt as the positive emotion or feeling that leads us away from sin and shame as the negative emotion that tries to trap us into a continue cycle of sin. Great insight Jim

      Brian

  5. Marcie Scott on October 10, 2017 at 9:05 am

    Another excellent article. Thank you!

  6. Danielle on October 10, 2017 at 8:01 am

    You’re totally correct when you say that the more our society removes God, the more evil our society becomes. I believe the world has to hit a proverbial bottom before some people will give God credit and glory. Until then, we will see a downward spiral.

    • Brian Pusateri on October 10, 2017 at 8:07 am

      Danielle

      Thanks for posting. The downward spiral seems to be a sad and unfortunate reality. “The only thing necessary for evil to prevail is for good people to do nothing.” What we need instead, is for good people to act by loving God and Neighbor with all of their heart!

      God bless
      Brian

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