Confronting Evil: Embracing Hope Through Christ

Devotional

Day 1: Jesus Destroys Evil Without Destroying People

Jesus confronts evil directly, as seen in the story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, and brings true freedom and restoration without condemning the person. Instead of casting out or destroying those afflicted by evil, Jesus removes the evil itself, offering healing, dignity, and a new purpose. This demonstrates the heart of the gospel: Jesus takes our pain, shame, and brokenness upon Himself, exchanging it for His righteousness and peace. When we encounter evil in our world or in ourselves, we can trust that Jesus has the power and compassion to set us free and make us whole. [20:27]

Mark 5:1-20 (ESV)
They came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gerasenes. And when Jesus had stepped out of the boat, immediately there met him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit. He lived among the tombs. And no one could bind him anymore, not even with a chain, for he had often been bound with shackles and chains, but he wrenched the chains apart, and he broke the shackles in pieces. No one had the strength to subdue him. Night and day among the tombs and on the mountains he was always crying out and cutting himself with stones. And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and fell down before him. And crying out with a loud voice, he said, “What have you to do with me, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I adjure you by God, do not torment me.” For he was saying to him, “Come out of the man, you unclean spirit!” And Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” He replied, “My name is Legion, for we are many.” And he begged him earnestly not to send them out of the country. Now a great herd of pigs was feeding there on the hillside, and they begged him, saying, “Send us to the pigs; let us enter them.” So he gave them permission. And the unclean spirits came out and entered the pigs; and the herd, numbering about two thousand, rushed down the steep bank into the sea and drowned in the sea. The herdsmen fled and told it in the city and in the country. And people came to see what it was that had happened. And they came to Jesus and saw the demon-possessed man, the one who had had the legion, sitting there, clothed and in his right mind, and they were afraid. And those who had seen it described to them what had happened to the demon-possessed man and to the pigs. And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region. As he was getting into the boat, the man who had been possessed with demons begged him that he might be with him. And he did not permit him but said to him, “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” And he went away and began to proclaim in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him, and everyone marveled.

Reflection: Where in your life do you need Jesus to set you free from something that feels unbreakable, and what would it look like to let Him take your pain and restore you today?

Day 2: The Origin and Nature of Evil

Evil entered the world through humanity’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, and its effects are seen in every aspect of our lives and world. God warns us of the consequences of sin but offers us life, while the enemy deceives and brings death. Recognizing the reality and pervasiveness of evil helps us understand our need for God’s grace and the hope He offers. We are not immune to evil’s influence, but we are not without hope—God’s love and warning are always present, inviting us to choose life. [14:47]

Genesis 3:1-7 (ESV)
Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Reflection: What is one area where you are tempted to believe a lie instead of God’s truth, and how can you choose to trust God’s warning and offer of life today?

Day 3: The Battle Within—Recognizing Our Own Brokenness

The greatest challenge we face is not just the evil “out there,” but the evil within our own hearts. Every person is affected by sin, and our pride, ego, and impure motives often cause conflict and brokenness in our relationships and communities. It is dangerous to think of ourselves as “good” while seeing others as the problem; instead, we must humbly acknowledge our own need for God’s mercy and transformation. True change begins when we allow God to address the sin in our own hearts first. [22:42]

Romans 7:15-24 (ESV)
For I do not understand my own actions. For I do not do what I want, but I do the very thing I hate. Now if I do what I do not want, I agree with the law, that it is good. So now it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells within me. So I find it to be a law that when I want to do right, evil lies close at hand. For I delight in the law of God, in my inner being, but I see in my members another law waging war against the law of my mind and making me captive to the law of sin that dwells in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?

Reflection: What is one specific attitude or habit in your own heart that you need to bring before God for healing and change this week?

Day 4: Responding to Evil—Be a Peacemaker and Do Good

When confronted with evil, we are called not to fight evil with evil, but to bring the presence of Jesus into every situation by doing good, showing kindness, and being peacemakers. Our actions, even small ones like sitting with someone who is lonely or helping a neighbor, can bring a little bit of heaven to earth. Instead of being passive spectators or responding with anger, we are invited to actively make our environments better and to courageously share the hope of Jesus with others. [43:56]

Romans 12:21 (ESV)
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Reflection: Who is one person you can intentionally show kindness to or help this week, bringing a bit of God’s goodness into their life?

Day 5: The Ultimate Choice—Letting Jesus Take Your Sin

The most important decision we face is what we will do with Jesus, who offers to take our sin and brokenness upon Himself and give us His righteousness and eternal life. We all have a choice: either we pay for our own sin, or we let Jesus pay for it on our behalf. Accepting His sacrifice means living with boldness, gratitude, and hope, knowing that evil does not have the final word—Jesus does. [43:56]

John 3:16-17 (ESV)
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Reflection: Have you truly let Jesus take your sin and shame, and if so, how can you live with greater boldness and gratitude for His sacrifice today?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a church family to face the reality of evil in our world, both in the headlines and in our own hearts. We celebrated the generosity and compassion of our children, who raised money to provide a bed and the hope of Christ to a family on the San Carlos Reservation through the “In the Gap” ministry. Their simple act of kindness is a reminder that even small gestures can bring a piece of heaven to earth. We also heard from Michael and Ashley Sandoval, who have courageously stepped out to serve among the Apache people, and we were challenged to consider how we might join in God’s work both near and far.

Turning to Scripture, we looked at the origins of evil in Genesis 3, where the serpent’s deception led humanity into brokenness. God warns us of death but offers us life, while the enemy baits us with the promise of life but delivers only death. Evil is not just an external force; it is rooted in our own hearts, in the brokenness of the world, and in the spiritual forces that oppose God’s goodness. We are reminded that every person is affected by sin, and that the world itself groans under its weight.

We examined how Jesus confronted evil—not by destroying people, but by destroying the evil within them. In Mark 5, Jesus meets a demon-possessed man, sets him free, and in doing so, takes the man’s place of suffering upon Himself. This is the heart of the gospel: Jesus exchanges His righteousness for our brokenness, His life for our death. He alone has the power to save, and He alone has the final word over evil.

Recent tragedies in our nation, including acts of violence and the silencing of truth, remind us that evil is real and often manifests in ways that attack not just individuals, but the very fabric of our society. Yet, we are called not to respond with more evil, but to bring the presence of Christ wherever we go. We are to be peacemakers, to act with courage, to share the hope of Jesus, and to bring a taste of heaven into a hurting world.

Ultimately, each of us must answer the most important question: What will we do with Jesus? Will we let Him bear our sin and brokenness, or will we try to carry it ourselves? The invitation is to let Jesus take our place, to live boldly for Him, and to be agents of His kingdom in a world desperate for hope.

Key Takeaways

1. Evil’s Origin and Our Own Hearts: Evil is not just “out there” in the world or in the news; it is rooted in the human heart. The story of Genesis 3 shows that sin entered the world through deception and disobedience, and every person since has been affected. Recognizing our own capacity for evil is the first step toward humility and dependence on God’s grace. [21:59]
2. Jesus Destroys Evil Without Destroying Us: When Jesus confronted evil, He did not annihilate the person afflicted but set them free from the evil within. In Mark 5, Jesus takes the place of the demon-possessed man, ultimately bearing our suffering and shame on the cross. This “great exchange” is the heart of the gospel: Jesus takes our evil upon Himself and gives us His righteousness. [20:27]
3. The Reality of Spiritual Warfare: Evil has multiple sources: our own sinful nature, the brokenness of the world, and real spiritual forces that oppose God’s purposes. Spiritual warfare is not just a metaphor; it is a daily reality. We must be vigilant, knowing that anything good in our lives will be opposed, and that we are called to stand firm in Christ’s victory. [25:03]
4. Responding to Evil with Courage and Kindness: We are not to fight evil with evil, nor to find our identity in politics or the divisions of this world. Instead, we are called to be peacemakers, to act with courage, and to bring the presence of Christ into every situation. Even small acts of kindness—like sharing a meal or listening to someone’s story—can be powerful ways to bring heaven to earth. [43:24]
5. The Ultimate Question—Who Will Bear Our Sin?: Each of us must decide whether we will let Jesus bear the weight of our sin and brokenness, or whether we will try to carry it ourselves. The choice is urgent, as life is fleeting. Letting Jesus take our place is the only way to true freedom, hope, and eternal life. [43:56]
** [43:56]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:30] - Highlighting “In the Gap” Ministry
[02:10] - Children’s Generosity and Impact
[03:45] - Michael and Ashley’s Story
[06:56] - Prayer for Our Nation and Community
[09:04] - Introduction: Facing Evil in Our World
[12:26] - The Reality and Condemnation of Evil
[13:28] - Genesis 3: The Origin of Evil
[14:47] - God’s Warning and Satan’s Deception
[16:07] - Jesus Confronts Evil: Mark 5
[18:55] - Jesus Destroys Evil, Not People
[20:27] - The Great Exchange: Jesus Takes Our Place
[21:59] - Sources of Evil: Self, World, Spiritual Forces
[25:03] - Types of Evil: Natural, Moral, Supernatural, Eternal
[30:59] - The War on Truth and the Danger of Self-Righteousness
[33:01] - The Unique Nature of Recent Tragedies
[39:00] - Five Things Not to Do When Confronted with Evil
[42:17] - Practical Ways to Bring Heaven to Earth
[43:56] - The Ultimate Choice: Who Will Bear Your Sin?
[45:00] - Closing Prayer and Invitation

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Genesis 3:1-7 (ESV) — > Now the serpent was more crafty than any other beast of the field that the Lord God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God actually say, ‘You shall not eat of any tree in the garden’?” And the woman said to the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees in the garden, but God said, ‘You shall not eat of the fruit of the tree that is in the midst of the garden, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’” But the serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.

Mark 5:1-20 (ESV) — > [Summarized: Jesus meets a demon-possessed man in the region of the Gerasenes, sets him free by casting the demons into a herd of pigs, and the man is restored to his right mind. Jesus tells him to go home and share what God has done for him.]

Ephesians 6:12 (ESV) — > 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.

Observation Questions

In Genesis 3, what specific tactics does the serpent use to deceive Eve? How does Eve respond to the serpent’s questions?
According to Mark 5, what was the condition of the demon-possessed man before and after his encounter with Jesus?
The sermon mentioned that evil has multiple sources: our own hearts, the brokenness of the world, and spiritual forces. What examples did the pastor give for each of these sources? [[21:59]]
In Ephesians 6:12, what does Paul say our real struggle is against? How does this shape the way we view evil in the world?

Interpretation Questions

The serpent in Genesis 3 twists God’s words and promises something he cannot deliver. What does this reveal about the nature of temptation and evil? How might this pattern show up in our own lives? [[14:47]]
In Mark 5, Jesus sets the man free from evil without destroying him. What does this teach us about Jesus’ approach to evil and brokenness in people? [[18:55]]
The pastor said that evil is not just “out there” but also in our own hearts. Why is it important to recognize our own capacity for evil before we try to address evil in the world? [[21:59]]
The sermon described spiritual warfare as a daily reality. How does understanding the spiritual dimension of evil affect the way we respond to challenges and suffering? [[25:03]]

Application Questions

The children in our church raised money to provide a bed and hope to a family in need. What is one small act of kindness you could do this week to bring a piece of heaven to someone’s life? [[42:17]]
The pastor challenged us not to fight evil with evil, but to be peacemakers and bring the presence of Christ wherever we go. Think of a recent situation where you were tempted to respond to evil or hurt with anger or bitterness. How could you respond differently next time? [[39:00]]
The sermon emphasized that evil is rooted in our own hearts. Is there an area in your life where you need to confess pride, selfishness, or another sin? What would it look like to depend on God’s grace in that area? [[21:59]]
Jesus took the place of the demon-possessed man, bearing his suffering and shame. How does the idea of the “great exchange”—Jesus taking our brokenness and giving us His righteousness—change the way you see yourself and others? [[20:27]]
The pastor mentioned that we are in a spiritual battle and that anything good in our lives will be opposed. Where do you feel spiritual opposition right now? How can you stand firm in Christ’s victory this week? [[25:03]]
The sermon ended with the question: Who will bear your sin—Jesus or you? Have you made the decision to let Jesus take your place? If so, how does that impact the way you live? If not, what is holding you back? [[43:56]]
The pastor shared a story about taking a lonely neighbor out for pie as a way to bring heaven to earth. Who is someone in your life who might need a simple act of love or presence this week? What step can you take to reach out to them? [[43:24]]

Sermon Clips

You see, what Jesus does when he shows up and you meet with Jesus, you know what he does? He changes places with you. And so at this individual, what happens? Who's the one naked at the end of Mark? Jesus is the one naked. Who's the one in the tomb at the end of Mark? Jesus is in the tomb. Who's the one bleeding at the end of Mark? It's Jesus. Jesus takes our pain upon himself and he gives us his clothes of righteousness. That is the great exchange that takes place. It is all through the gospels. [00:20:38] (31 seconds) #TheGreatExchange

If you know Jesus, if you know Jesus, there was a battle going on for your soul for eternity. If you don't know Jesus, know that you have been prayed for for this weekend. Know that there's a battle going on for your soul right now. And yet God gives you the choice to choose him or not to choose him. [00:24:21] (24 seconds) #BattleForYourSoul

If you haven't gotten bad health tests yet, you will one day if you live long enough. It's coming for you. And if you're like, I've never experienced a tragedy in my life, it's coming for you like a freight train. You better be prepared for it. That is not the last tragedy that we've seen. It wasn't the first, and it's not the last. There's more coming. Christian, be prepared for it. We were told this. We were promised this. In this world, you will have trouble, but take heart. I have overcome the world, Jesus says. [00:27:58] (32 seconds) #PrepareForLifeStruggles

Jesus has already had victory. Jesus has already won. Demons know it, and we know it. We win. Jesus wins. Jesus has the final word. Evil does not have the final word. [00:30:26] (16 seconds) #JesusHasAlreadyWon

It is really dangerous to think that most of the evil is out there, but I'm good. That is a dangerous place to be. Because now then you become the standard of good and everyone else is the bad person. Rather than recognizing that my greatest challenge on this planet is the evil inside of me. [00:31:58] (23 seconds) #EvilWithinIsGreatestChallenge

Don't ever compare tragedies. It is not a competition. Full on stop comparing tragedies. Well, you spoke out about this, but not this. And so what are you saying? It's all evil and it all needs to be condemned. Hard stop. Stop comparing this versus this. Taking an innocent life is horrific and evil. [00:32:56] (24 seconds) #StopComparingTragedies

Our environment should be better because we're there. Because you as a follower of Jesus, when you walk into your home, when you walk into your workplace, you're bringing the presence of Jesus into that place. And demons shudder at that. [00:41:39] (17 seconds) #BringJesusWhereYouGo

Can we save the whole world? Little Boulder Mountain? No. But what can we do on the San Carlos Reservation to bring a little bit of heaven to earth? What can you do today to bring a little bit of heaven? This is not our world, but what can we bring to bring the kingdom of God into this place. [00:43:56] (18 seconds) #BringHeavenToEarthLocally

You have the opportunity for Jesus to take the evil from within your life and for him to take it for him to take it upon himself and pay the price you see God's wrath is gonna be poured out on people but Jesus took my wrath and poured upon in God's wrath was poured upon himself on Jesus so the choice that you have today who's gonna pay for the evil in your life there's you have two choices either Jesus is gonna pay for the evil in the sin of my life or you're going to pay for it that's the choice laid before you and my friends I beg of you I beg of you let Jesus take it let Jesus take it he knows everything you've ever done he knows everything you've ever said let Jesus take the change from your life he'll put him on himself but Jesus take your nakedness and he'll clothe you with righteousness but Jesus take your blood and your mess you'll put him on himself and he'll give you his glory so you may live with him forever that's the choice that's before us today and if you've given your life to Jesus then live like it live with boldness live with conviction. [00:44:32] (82 seconds) #JesusTakesYourSinAndWrath

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