By TONY HOSS
I appreciate the question dealing with perseverance against evil. In our lives it is often hard to take a stand against evil. However it is what Christians must do; it is part of our obligation as a Child of God. Not only is it our obligation, it should be our desire to take a stance against any evil because we understand that evil stands opposed to God and destroys the souls of men. I recall watching the old time westerns on television as a child; and in most cases there was always one individual who took a stance against the evil people who came to town. In many of these shows it seemed that those who stood against evil did so on their own. But when right prevailed, everyone wanted to jump on the band wagon of right.
Christians must remember that standing up for right is a principle taught by Jesus. In His parable of the soils Jesus mentioned a man sowing seed/the word of God in four different soils/hearts of men (Matthew 13:18-23). In each case Jesus discusses the results of the seed being sown in the heart of each man. In the case of the stony soil we see a soil or heart that gladly received the word of God. However, when the trials came, that individual turned from God; he did not persevere. The roots of the word in that man, were shallow and unable to stand against the opposition. Jesus challenges us to not only receive the Word of God, but to also put down deep roots that are able to withstand the evil one, the temptations of life.
To take a stand against evil, to be productive in our Christian lives it is imperative to put down deep roots concerning God’s Word. When one does not take a stand against evil it resembles the man whose heart was stony and eventually left God. If we are going to be serious in our fight against our adversary, Satan, we must grow deep roots and stand against all evil (1 Peter 5:8).
The apostle Peter learned all too well how difficult it is to withstand the evil one. In Matthew 26:33, Peter said, “Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended.” In verse 35 of the same chapter Peter said, “Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee.” When faced with the pressures of evil when Jesus was taken and tried, Peter denied Jesus three times. There is no doubt that Peter would remember his promise and his subsequent denial of Jesus. Thankfully Peter learned his lesson well. Throughout his life we know that Peter as well as other disciples stood firm against evil.
What will we do in the face of evil? Will we take a stand or will we walk away?
(Tony Hoss is minister at the Centerview Church of Christ, Elizabethton. He can be contacted at 737-2287 or by email at: tmagho1@comcast.net)