Evil is all around, even within us
You can hear evil in the news headlines: “NSW bushfire threatens Newcastle homes.” “Kenyan priest killed in Cameroon violence.” “Death toll from fire in northern California hits 83.” “Melbourne CBD terror attack a ‘wake-up call’, police say.” “Self-harm and suicide worsening on Manus Island.” “One killed, another injured in explosion in Assam.”
“If God is good, why is there evil?” is one of the toughest questions Christianity faces. Yet on this topic Scripture is virtually silent, it simply says evil exists, even in us.
Evil is coordinated by the devil
Scripture reveals that evil is a personal malevolence. The person responsible for evil and coordinating it is the devil (also named Satan). Belief the devil exists is not very popular in our “modern” age of Enlightenment. We’ve characterised him as a cartoon character with a red cape, red horns holding a pitch fork. That’s not the devil. Rather, he’s a being of intense malice and hatred. He works through both the world and human flesh — sometimes our very own flesh — to bring his destruction. He is a liar & deceiver.
Three typical approaches to evil
(1) Put our head in the sand. Pretend that Satan and evil doesn’t really exists, or if it does, it doesn’t really matter.
(2) Wallow in evil. See Satan lurking around every corner. We become overwhelmed by his immense power and choking grip on the world. We despair and perhaps even give up, give ourselves over to evil and join in.
(3) Be a hero on our white horse. Charge into the fray to do battle against evil, slashing our sword to and fro.
Jesus doesn’t do any of these things, but presents a different option. He instead invites us to pray “Deliver us from evil.”
What does it mean to pray “Deliver us from evil”?
(1) Evil exists. This prayer recognises that evil exists — the Evil One is real, he has real power. Jesus encountered this evil his whole life: infanticide of Herod; thrust into the wilderness to be tempted by Satan; leaders and friends plotted to kill him; deserted and abandoned; a mock trial committed him to death even though he was innocent.
Perhaps you’ve experienced evil firsthand? Sickness, abuse, family breakdown, discord, conflict, natural disaster, the occult?
The prayer “Deliver us from evil” opens our eyes to the fact that the Christian life is not some easy breezy walk in the park. The prayer is not “Spare us from evil” but “There will be evil, so please deliver us from it!”
Martin Luther even said its normal for Christians to be plagued by evil, and constantly attacked from baptism onwards: ‘Every Christian must endure such great, grievous perils and attacks [from the devil]. … No one can escape temptations as long as we live in the flesh and have the devil prowling around us. … Christians must expect every day to be under continuous attack.’ (Large Catechism)
To pray “Deliver us from evil” is to say, rather dangerously, “Evil is real and powerful. Satan is a potent force opposed to God. He’s opposed to me, and he’s coming my way.” [1]
(2) Not in our strength. Jesus doesn’t mount his white horse as a hero. But in the garden of Gethsemane prays “Not my will but yours be done.” He tells Peter to put his sword down. Because of his perfect obedience, God the Father leads Jesus through the darkest valley. Yet Jesus is not delivered from evil. Instead he’s tortured and murdered on the cross, buried in a borrowed tomb.
Only then does God give his answer to the question of evil. His answer is an empty tomb. On the third day Jesus rose from the dead, defeating sin, death, and the power of the devil. Not with silver or gold, but with his innocent suffering and death.
Although the victory is won, this doesn’t mean the Evil One has laid down his weapons. One might expect Jesus to call us to the fight. But instead we’re put on sentry duty on the fortress wall. The Bible often uses the language of standing watch. “Resist the devil” (resist means “to stand”). “Be on your guard, stand firm in the faith.” “Stand firm against the devil’s schemes.” “Stand your ground.”
Perhaps you want to hear a motivational sermon: “You have the strength to overcome this evil horde. You will be victorious. In Jesus name go and conquer Satan, death and evil.” Sorry, I can’t preach that sermon. That’s not the mission Jesus gives us, it’s not the prayer he invites us to pray.
In the prayer “Deliver us from evil” we stand on the fortress wall, and in the dark we can just make out an army of evil marching toward us. We gulp, and with empty hands, we beg God for help. We pray: “Help there’s evil all around! Please rescue me! Help me to stand firm against the onslaught. Help me withstand the fiery arrows of the enemy. My strength fails me. In your name protect me.”
(3) Wait for God to deliver us. We ask God to help us wait and trust that his will be done. As we pray “Deliver us from evil” we ask God to take our hand and lead us. We pray that God will hold us tight. And in the end, somehow, in some way, he will turn our struggle with evil into something that accomplishes his purpose, just as he turned the evil of the cross into good.
In our Old Testament reading we heard that the Israelite people were lead through their wilderness. Somehow God turns this trying situation into a humbling time of testing, a way to teach them to trust his provision — his bread, his Word. Likewise, we pray God would lead us and deliver us from evil through Jesus — who is the Word made flesh.
“When the train goes through the dark tunnel, you don’t throw away your ticket and jump off the train. You sit still and trust the driver.”
— Corrie ten Boom
Blessing
Why is there evil in the world? God doesn’t reveal to us the full details. Instead Jesus invites us to pray “Deliver us from evil.”
Praying this dangerous prayer means to sign up for trials and testing and attacks. Evil is coming your way. It means despairing of our own strength, crying out for help to stand firm against the attacks. It means continuing to learn to trust God — that somehow, in some way, God will transform the overwhelming forces of evil into something that works his good purposes.
As you stand in the darkness armed with just this prayer, may you realise that God owns the darkness too. Even though darkness envelopes you, may it soon vanish as the glorious light of Christ dawns. But until then, may the power of the holy name of God protect and lead you through the wilderness, and deliver you from all evil. Amen.
[1] Remember, though Satan is potent, he is not equal and opposite to God.
