Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 3

Evil has the capacity to invade every area of life, as it did for Adam and Eve in the garden of Eden. Human beings seem to have a propensity toward evil. Although we don't like to discuss it, it’s obvious that evil is a major contender for the heart and soul of every person.

Numbers 25 relates how Israel turned away from God and toward evil. Listen to The Living Bible. "While Israel was camped at Acacia, some of the young men began going to wild parties with the local Moabite girls. These girls invited them to attend sacrifices to their gods. Before long all of Israel was joining freely in the worship of Baal, and the anger of the Lord turned hot against them." Isn’t it amazing how the young people influenced the adults?

It's apparent that guarding one's heart and soul against evil is a lifetime endeavor. As you begin this new year, turn your heart, your soul, your behaviors, as well as your love and affection toward Christ Jesus. What better way to secure God’s blessings? Happy New Year.  

Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 2

The predictability of evil’s being everywhere is undeniable to the point of evil’s being accepted as commonplace. Explicit sex in films and on T.V. is a prime example. Newscasts are so inundated with violence that we become numbed to its power and influence. Evil invades our belief system and cleverly begins to question our values and morals.

Initially President Richard Nixon’s highest aim was integrity for himself and his presidential office. Yet the dark side of himself and his advisers eventually gained power to the point of corruption and destruction.

Balaam, an Old Testament prophet, purposed to believe in God. Listen to his testimony. "How can I curse those whom God has not cursed? How can I denounce those whom the Lord has not denounced? Let me die the death of the righteous and may my end be like theirs." That sounds like a man of faith, but his dark side contaminated by evil upstaged his best intentions. How unfortunate. 

Pervasiveness of Evil: Guard Your Heart - Part 1

God is gracious and kind and has clearly chosen to reveal himself in Christ Jesus. Each person then chooses to open their heart and soul to Christ Jesus to be rescued from the consequences of their sins. God’s word reveals that Jesus is the radiance of God's glory and the exact representation of his being, who sustains all things by his word.

Balaam believed that God had spoken to him personally. Nevertheless, for ulterior hidden motives, he refused give up old beliefs and idol worship. He would speak for God when confronted to do so but refused to obey God if a chance existed to profit monetarily.

Listen to Balaam’s understanding of God. "God is not a man that he should lie, or change his mind. Does he speak and not act?  Does God promise and not fulfill?" Balaam's heart was corrupted and could not apply God’s revelation to himself. God reveals himself to us so we can choose to love him with all our heart, soul, and mind. God bless you in this New Year.