Deliver Us From Evil - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

   
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish you and guard you from the evil one.
 - 2 Thessalonians 3:3

    The reality of evil in our world is beyond argument. One need only look to the historical atrocities which we have witnessed over time to see that there is a living entity known as “evil!” I’m not going to go into a dirge naming the many instances of evil that have taken place over the millennia. Suffice to say that one would have to be blind to suggest there is no such thing as evil. In fact, I’m going to go one step further and suggest that something doesn’t necessarily have to meet criminal criteria to be seen as evil. Apathy and negligence can be evil, as can be domination, criminal behavior, anti-social or asocial behavior. To push a non-swimmer into deep water is evil and criminal; to refuse to aid the floundering swimmer may not be criminal but it is most certainly evil. “But if anyone has the world's goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God's love abide in him?” - 1 John 3:17.
    I know the temptation is there to see Hitler or Charles Mason as the embodiments of evil but what we see is the manifestation of their evil in their criminality. Yes, they were both evil but we remember their criminal activities rather than their blackened hearts. But what about our neighbor who leaves his dog out in the rain or the freezing snow. There is evil there. What about the father who stays at the tavern too long and forgets to pick up his fourth-grader from school? There is evil there. I could go on but I don’t see the need.
    We live in a fallen world and evil is all around us. Sometimes it glares at us from the car driving by. Sometimes it is more insidious and could be living in our own homes, laying awake while we sleep. And sometimes it beats within our own hearts. In us, it is truly cause for constant repentance.
    Evil has been part of the human experience since the dawn of mankind.  It is so prevalent that evil is characterized immediately after Adam and Eve are banished from the Garden of Eden. Jesus encountered evil often enough in His human life that He included an invocation against it in the Lord’s Prayer - “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.” - Matthew 6:13.
    So it is important to understand evil from both the psychological view and the theological view. To do otherwise could lead to tragedy. Under all circumstances, it should be approached with caution, prayer, and when the circumstances demand, a physically active response.  Caution? “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” - James 4:7. Prayer? “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication.” - Ephesians 6:11-18.
    The Word of God goes a long way to defeat evil, as does the holy name of Jesus Christ but without the presence of the Holy Spirit in our lives they are just both words. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that we are able to drive the Satanic forces back to where they have come from. Without the attendance of the Holy Spirit, we are simply muttering words against the powers of darkness.   
    Yes, evil resides among us. Sometimes it hides in the darkness. Sometimes it slithers into our lives wearing a smile. Yes, and sometimes it nests within our hearts. Let us always be aware as the Apostle Peter warns us - “Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” - 1 Peter 5:8.
    Deliver us from evil, Lord.