In 1 Corinthians 13:4-8, we find valuable verses that offer believers insight into the love of God while also giving us instructions and applications for how to show love to others.  While most of this scripture tells us what love is, verse 6 tells us what love is not and does not do.  The first part of this verse says that “love does not delight in evil.” (NIV)

There is no question that evil exists.  Yet, despite being born with sinful natures, we don’t automatically start delighting in evil.  Instead, rejoicing in evil is a learned mindset, brought about over time by making small compromises to our belief system. 

Looking back, I see that my choices over time led to a substantial change in my worldview.  Even though the change itself was dramatic, it happened through a slow and gradual process.

First, I went from seeing evil to feeling powerless against it.  Then, my apathetic and overwhelmed mindset led me to do evil and delight in it eventually.

We may often be unaware of the compromises that lead us down a path to evil.  We may start thinking that we can do nothing in a world where evil is happening everywhere.  We may value being liked and included by others over living in the truth of God’s Word. 

It can seem that there is more joy and happiness in giving into our sinful nature instead of our spiritual convictions.  Regardless of our thoughts or feelings, we can, and should always look into the Word of God for instructions on how to recognize and fight evil.

Did you know that in the Bible, evil is mentioned over 1,600 times?!  This fact tells me that evil is real and that there is a Godly way to view and respond to it.  God wouldn’t just tell us that evil is out there without showing us how to recognize, resist, and conquer it.

Since there is so much that the Bible says about evil, what it looks like, and its consequences, I will be writing about this particular Bible verse in two parts. 

I will start by addressing what evil is and how to recognize it, then follow up by writing about how we move from seeing evil to doing it ourselves and rejoicing in it.

I don’t have to be awake long before I see the presence of evil.  As soon as I see the news or go on social media sites, it is clear that evil saturates our lives.  Pretending evil doesn’t exist doesn’t mean it’s not there.  I remember an example a pastor once told.  He went into the kitchen for a late-night snack but didn’t turn on the light since he knew where everything was.  When his wife came in to check on him, she turned on the light, and roaches went scurrying.  He didn’t see them, but they were there.

Evil surrounds us, and ignoring it doesn’t mean it’s not there. The Bible tells us to be alert in 1 Peter 1:5, “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert.  Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” (NIV) 

The part that sticks in my mind is when Satan is called a roaring lion.  The roar of a lion is loud and commanding, used to stake his territory and show his strength. 

We may think evil is subtle or only done in secret, yet it is often obvious, loud, and unyielding, and we are to always be alert to avoid being destroyed and consumed by it.  

Seeing evil happening so often and in such blatant ways can be daunting and heartbreaking.  I often feel despair, hopelessness, or sadness when confronted with evil,  but God always comforts me when I come to Him with a heavy heart in response to our broken and fallen world.  

While the Bible shows us that evil is present in our lives through the presence and work of Satan, it also tells us how to recognize evil and fight it.  Equipping ourselves with the knowledge of what is good is one way we can clearly see evil for what it is.

For instance, we can use Philippians 4:8 as a helpful guide.  It says, “Finally, my brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things.” (NIV)  

A.W. Tozer, in Summa Theologica, defines evil as “the absence of good.”  Since 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 are verses that describe the goodness of God and his profound love for us, any actions that are done contrary to God’s truth and holiness are evil, based out of sinful opposition to God. 

I know this sounds harsh, but God's Word is very clear about evil.. The good news is that God will always be worthy of praise, gracious, kind, and just, regardless of the evil around us.  

It is also crucial that we call evil what it is based on the Word of God and not what the world says it is.  The Bible and the world have very different views about what is evil and what is good. 

There is power in words, which is why there is an evident and prevalent cultural shift to change the meanings of words and their impact.  Calling a word by a different name, giving it a different connotation, or altering its purpose does not fundamentally change its original intent.

We can clearly recognize evil by knowing that, though definitions may change over time, the Word of God never does.  

In Malachi 3:6, God says He “does not change.” (NIV)   Hebrews 13:8 says, “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (NIV)  Because God is unchanging, we can trust Him regardless of our feelings or circumstances.  Hebrews 4:12 says that the Word of God is “alive and active.” (NIV) 

Not only can we rely on God’s character, but we can also count on His Word to consistently guide us as we see evil in the world around us. 

When we are not reading the Word of God or being guided by the Holy Spirit, our worldview and focus will change over time.  Notice I say will change, not maybe or possibly change.  We are more prone to let the world define evil when we stray from God. 

Yet, when we trust God, knowing that his Word is active and unchanging, He will give our hearts peace and guidance to our minds when faced with the evil around us.  The more we come to Him, the more we will see evidence of His solidarity and infinite wisdom in our lives and those around us.

Questions to ponder:

Have you ever felt overwhelmed by the evil you see?

How have you reacted when faced with evil?

Can you think of something in your heart that is evil, lacking in the goodness of God?

Have you considered how evil is the absence of good? Does knowing this change the way you view the world around you?

Application:

Pray!  Pray that God will help you see the world through his eyes and with his heart.

Pray!  Pray that God will give you opportunities to speak truth to someone you know who is living contrary to the goodness of God.

Pray!  That God will help you apply the strength and purity of his love to your life, and the lives of people around you.

Although she grew up on the beach in SC and lived in mountains of CO, Andrea loves living in GA more than anywhere else since that is where she lives with her husband, John. She has a passion for reading anything she can get her hands on, especially books about Art History and Christian Apologetics. Andrea herself will tell you how little she knows, and how, as she gets older, she forgets a lot of what she did know. However, she knows that God offers a peace beyond understanding, his timing is perfect, and he works all things for his glory. In this season of life, she is experiencing the blessings of marriage, as well as the newness of God’s healing and restoration. She enjoys sharing her life and the Word of God through writing for Tirzah and hopes that lives and hearts will be touched through her words