Good or evil
It does not matter what faith, religion or set of beliefs people have, their goal is likely to do something that is good; something that leads to freedom, joy, peace, growth, development – something that makes us better people and builds good relationships between people and nations.
But to do anything good, I must first be freed from everything that is the opposite of good – from evil. If I want to overcome the evil in this world, I must first overcome the evil within myself.
A good or an evil source
Everything good in this world comes from a good source, and everything evil comes from an evil source. “I know that nothing good lives in me; that is, nothing good lives in my corrupt nature,” the Apostle Paul says in Romans 7:18 (GW). Therefore, the Christian gospel says that we should “crucify” our corrupt or sinful nature, which is an evil source. (Galatians 5:24.) Goodness brings growth, happiness and creativity, while evil brings an uncaring attitude, isolation, misery, and stops all progress.
“A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit.” Matthew 7:18. “You will know them by their fruits.” Matthew 7:16. The heavenly message that Jesus brought, changes the whole tree from evil to good. The good fruits come because the tree gets water and nourishment from a good source. This good source is God’s Word and the Holy Spirit.
Positive or negative effects
“Husbands, love your wives and do not be bitter toward them,” says the Apostle Paul in Colossians 3:19. We could ask: Do words spoken in anger and bitterness have a good and positive effect in a marriage or any other relationship? Bitter words make things heavy and difficult; they result in nothing good, and they do not bring a solution to any problem.
Why do you become bitter and angry? Isn’t it because you yourself are not free from the evil? Isn’t it your own desires and demands that make things difficult for you? Desires and demands that the other person treats you better, or does things in a different way? But when you are set free from this “self-love”, the real love you get instead becomes a positive power that melts frozen hearts, tears down walls, unites those who are separated, builds relationships and openness, and gives confidence and trust! Therefore, become positive!! Work for everything that is good!!
The power of the tongue
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” Proverbs 18:21. With your tongue, you can destroy joy and peace and sow doubt and mistrust. But with your tongue you can also create a good atmosphere for working together, creating trust and confidence. All people must eat (live with) the fruit (results) of their words.
Revenge and hitting back
Paul writes in Romans 12:17 and 21, “Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men… Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Hitting back at people and taking revenge has never produced anything good in this world. Revenge belongs to the Lord. That is His business, His area. It pays, therefore, never to think about revenging yourself or hitting back at people, no matter what they have done. It can be good to think about what you yourself have been forgiven for, and that Jesus, the Son of God, has given His life as the payment for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world. (1 John 2:2.)
“Because of this, I tell you that her sins-- which are many! -- have been forgiven, because she loved much. But someone who has been forgiven only a little loves only a little.” Luke 7:47 (CJB).
You cannot achieve anything good by doing evil!