When we were children, it usually was easy to separate the good guys from the bad. In cowboy movies, the good guys usually wore white hats; the bad guys wore black. Today, as we glance at the headlines, we are starting to wonder if there are any ‘white hats’ left. Everybody seems to have his agenda.
During our devotional this morning, Bonnie asked, “How am I supposed to show love to people who are doing evil things?”
The bromide ‘love the sinner but hate the sin’ comes to mind. But perhaps you, like us, find it challenging to separate the doer from the deed, especially when the actions of an individual or a group seem inherently evil. Recall Jesus’ characterization of some of the Pharisees as a ‘brood of vipers.’ Matthew 12:34 (NIV)
The words from Isaiah concerning God’s judgment of Judah speak about choosing between good or evil:
What sorrow for those who say that evil is good and good is evil, that dark is light and light is dark, that bitter is sweet and sweet is bitter. What sorrow for those who are wise in their own eyes and think themselves so clever. Isaiah 5:21-22 (NLT)
In the Old Testament, we find what are called prayers of imprecation: a prayer that asks God to bring judgment on those who do evil.
End the evil of those who are wicked, and defend the righteous. For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God. Psalm 7:9 (NLT)
The wicked arrogantly hunt down the poor. Let them be caught in the evil they plan for others. Psalm 10:2
Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others. Psalm 28:4
May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them. Psalm 54:5
Jeremiah was particularly harsh: But as for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts. Drag these people away like sheep to be butchered! Set them aside to be slaughtered! Jeremiah 12:3
One of the most loving things we can do is pray that those who do evil will repent, remembering the words from Ezekiel 18:23:
“Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live.
Then, we can try to live, following the words of Psalm 37:1-4:
Don’t worry about the wicked
or envy those who do wrong.
For like grass, they soon fade away.
Like spring flowers, they soon wither.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.
Take delight in the Lord,
and he will give you your heart’s desires.
Blessings,
Don & Bonnie Sennott
Authors of Your Heart is an Open Book: Finding Answers in God’s Word
Photo of Clayton Moore courtesy of Wikipedia: Lone_ranger_silver_1965
Because He Loves Us Press 