Confronting Evil: Hope and Redemption in Christ

Devotional

Day 1: The Origin and Nature of Evil

Evil entered the world through humanity’s disobedience in the Garden of Eden, as described in Genesis 3, and its effects continue to shape every aspect of our lives and relationships. We are reminded that God warns us of death but offers us life, while the enemy baits us with life and delivers death. The brokenness we see around us—tragedies, violence, and suffering—are all rooted in this original fracture, and each of us carries the mark of that brokenness within. Recognizing the reality and pervasiveness of evil is the first step toward understanding our need for redemption and the hope that God offers. [35:46]

Genesis 3:1-5 (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.”

Reflection: Where do you see the effects of evil and brokenness most clearly in your own life or relationships, and how might acknowledging this reality change the way you approach God today?

Day 2: Jesus Confronts and Defeats Evil

When confronted with evil, Jesus does not destroy the person but deals directly with the evil itself, offering freedom and restoration. In the story of the demon-possessed man in Mark 5, Jesus demonstrates His authority over spiritual darkness, setting the man free and exchanging his shame and bondage for dignity and wholeness. This act points to the greater exchange Jesus would make on the cross—taking our evil upon Himself and clothing us in His righteousness. No matter how deep the darkness, Jesus has the power to bring deliverance and new life. [42:16]

Mark 5:1-15 (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.

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you feel bound or oppressed by darkness? What would it look like to invite Jesus to confront and heal that place today?

Day 3: The Battle Within—Recognizing the Evil in Ourselves

It is easy to look at the world and see evil “out there,” but Scripture teaches that the greatest battle is within our own hearts. Every person is affected by sin, and our pride, ego, and impure motives are the root of much of the conflict and pain we experience. True transformation begins when we humbly acknowledge our own brokenness and need for God’s grace, rather than comparing ourselves to others or blaming external circumstances. This honest self-examination is the starting point for real change and reconciliation with God and others. [54:49]

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 area where you tend to blame others or circumstances for problems, and how can you instead take responsibility and invite God’s transforming grace into your own heart?

Day 4: Living as Light—Responding to Evil with Good

Followers of Jesus are called not to fight evil with evil, but to overcome evil with good, bringing the presence of Christ into every situation. This means refusing to retaliate, not finding our identity in politics or the world, and actively seeking to be peacemakers and agents of kindness. Even small acts—like sitting with someone who is lonely or standing up for what is right—can bring a bit of heaven to earth and push back the darkness. Our lives should be marked by courage, compassion, and a commitment to do what is right, no matter the cost. [01:05:04]

Romans 12:17-21 (ESV)
Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Reflection: Who is one person you can show unexpected kindness or peacemaking toward this week, especially in a situation where you might be tempted to respond with anger or indifference?

Day 5: The Hope of Christ—Evil Does Not Have the Final Word

Though evil is real and present in our world, it does not have the final word—Jesus does. Through His death and resurrection, Jesus has already won the ultimate victory over sin, death, and the powers of darkness. We are invited to let Jesus take our sin and brokenness upon Himself, trusting Him for forgiveness and new life. This hope empowers us to live with boldness and courage, knowing that our future is secure in Christ and that one day all evil will be finally and fully defeated. [01:08:40]

1 Corinthians 15:54-57 (ESV)
When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Reflection: What would it look like for you to live today with the confidence that Jesus has the final word over evil, death, and your own story?

Sermon Summary

Today, we gathered as a church family to face the reality of evil in our world—its presence, its sources, and the hope we have in Christ. We began by celebrating the generosity and compassion of our children, who raised funds to provide a bed and the Word of God to a family on the San Carlos Reservation through the ministry of In the Gap. This tangible act of love is a reminder that, even in a broken world, we are called to bring a piece of heaven to earth.

We then turned our attention to the darkness that seems to be growing around us: political assassinations, school shootings, senseless violence, and tragedies that shake our communities. These are not just headlines; they are evidence of a world marred by sin and evil. Scripture tells us that evil entered the world through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, and since then, every human heart has been touched by its effects. Evil is not just “out there”—it is within us, in our pride, our selfishness, and our brokenness.

But the story does not end there. Jesus confronted evil head-on. In Mark 5, we see Him deliver a man possessed by a legion of demons, restoring him to wholeness without destroying him. Jesus does not destroy people; He destroys the evil within them. Ultimately, Jesus took our place—He bore our sin, our shame, our nakedness, and our pain on the cross, offering us His righteousness in exchange. This is the heart of the gospel: the great exchange where Christ takes our evil upon Himself and gives us new life.

We explored the sources of evil: our own sinful nature, the brokenness of the world, and the reality of spiritual forces opposed to God. Evil manifests in many forms—natural disasters, moral failures, supernatural opposition, and, ultimately, eternal separation from God for those who reject Him. Yet, in all of this, Jesus has the final word. Evil does not win. Christ’s victory is secure, and our hope is not in this world but in the world to come.

In response, we are called to live differently. We do not fight evil with evil, nor do we find our identity in politics or engage in the madness of the age. Instead, we are to be peacemakers, to act with courage and kindness, to bring the presence of Jesus wherever we go, and to never celebrate evil. The most important question before each of us is: What will we do with Jesus? Will we let Him take our sin, or will we bear it ourselves? The invitation is open—let Jesus take it, and live boldly for Him.

Key Takeaways

1. Evil is both external and internal, and recognizing its presence within ourselves is essential for true spiritual growth. It is easy to point to the brokenness in the world, but the most dangerous posture is to believe that evil is only “out there.” Humility begins with acknowledging our own need for redemption and transformation. [54:49]
2. Jesus confronts evil not by destroying people, but by destroying the evil within them. In the story of the demon-possessed man, Jesus restores dignity and wholeness, and ultimately takes our place—bearing our shame and pain on the cross. This is the great exchange: Christ takes our evil and gives us His righteousness. [42:16]
3. The sources of evil are multifaceted: our sinful nature, the brokenness of the world, and spiritual forces of darkness. Each of these requires vigilance and dependence on God. Spiritual warfare is real, and anything good in our lives will be opposed by the enemy, so we must be on guard and rooted in Christ. [43:04]
4. Our response to evil must be marked by courage, kindness, and active peacemaking. We are not called to retaliate or to become spectators, but to step into brokenness with the presence of Jesus—bringing hope, comfort, and truth. Even small acts of love, like sharing a meal or listening to someone’s story, can bring heaven to earth. [65:04]
5. The ultimate question is what we will do with Jesus. Each of us must decide whether we will let Christ bear our sin or attempt to carry it ourselves. The invitation is to let Jesus take our chains, our shame, and our sin, and to live boldly in the freedom and hope He offers, knowing that He has the final word over evil. [66:41]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:45] - Food Drive and Missions Weekend
[02:30] - Highlight: In the Gap Ministry
[05:10] - Children’s Generosity and Bed Project
[08:00] - Invitation to Serve with In the Gap
[10:00] - Prayer for Our Nation and Community
[12:30] - Changing the Plan: Addressing Evil
[15:00] - Recent Tragedies and the Reality of Evil
[18:00] - The Origin of Evil: Genesis 3
[21:00] - God’s Warning and Satan’s Deception
[23:00] - Jesus Confronts Evil: Mark 5
[27:00] - The Great Exchange: Jesus Takes Our Place
[31:00] - Sources and Types of Evil
[38:00] - How to Respond to Evil
[44:00] - Living as Peacemakers and People of Courage
[50:00] - The Choice Before Us: What Will You Do with Jesus?
[66:41] - Prayer and Invitation
[70:10] - Closing and Next Steps

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 delivers a man possessed by a legion of demons, restoring him to wholeness and sending the demons into a herd of pigs.]

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 tempt Eve, and how does Eve respond?
According to Mark 5, what was the condition of the demon-possessed man before and after his encounter with Jesus?
The sermon described three sources of evil: our own sinful nature, the brokenness of the world, and spiritual forces. What examples did the pastor give for each of these? [[43:04]]
In Ephesians 6:12, what does Paul say about the nature of our struggle with evil?

Interpretation Questions

The pastor said, “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.” Why is it important to recognize the presence of evil within ourselves? [[54:49]]
In Mark 5, Jesus restores the demon-possessed man without destroying him. What does this reveal about how Jesus deals with evil in people’s lives? [[42:16]]
The sermon mentioned that “anything good in your life will be opposed by the enemy.” How does this understanding of spiritual warfare affect the way we approach challenges and blessings? [[43:04]]
The pastor emphasized that Jesus took our place, bearing our shame and pain on the cross. How does this “great exchange” shape our understanding of the gospel and our response to evil? [[42:16]]

Application Questions

The pastor shared that it’s easy to point to the brokenness in the world but harder to see it in ourselves. What is one area of your life where you need to humbly acknowledge your own need for redemption and transformation? [[54:49]]
Jesus confronted evil by restoring people, not destroying them. Is there someone in your life who needs restoration or forgiveness from you, rather than judgment or rejection? What would it look like to respond to them as Jesus did? [[42:16]]
The sermon described practical ways to “bring heaven to earth,” like sharing a meal or listening to someone’s story. What is one small act of kindness or peacemaking you can do this week to bring the presence of Jesus into a broken situation? [[01:05:04]]
The pastor warned against fighting evil with evil, finding our identity in politics, and celebrating the downfall of others. Are there ways you have been tempted to respond to evil with anger, bitterness, or partisanship? How can you choose a different response this week? [[01:02:11]]
The sermon ended with the question, “What will you do with Jesus?” Have you let Jesus take your sin, shame, and pain? If not, what is holding you back? If you have, how can you live more boldly and courageously for Him this week? [[01:06:41]]
The pastor encouraged us to be on guard because “anything good in your life will be opposed by the enemy.” What is one good thing in your life right now that you need to protect or pray over? [[43:04]]
Think about a recent tragedy or evil you’ve witnessed or heard about. How did you respond? Is there a way you could move toward brokenness with the presence of Jesus, rather than becoming a spectator or feeling helpless? [[01:03:58]]

Sermon Clips

God warns us of death, but offers us life. What does Satan do? Baits us with life and gives us death. Satan gives us death. When you listen to him, it leads to death. [00:37:26] (18 seconds) #SatanLeadsToDeath

You see what Jesus does when he shows up and you meet with Jesus you know 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 at who's the one Nick 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 Jesus takes our evil he places upon himself he says I'm gonna set you free I'll take the evil upon myself that is what we call the gospel as the good news. [00:43:06] (45 seconds) #TheGreatExchange

This world, our life is a vapor. It's a mist. Here today, gone tomorrow. It's happening so quickly. Some of you know that. Like, wow, my daughter was just in kindergarten, dropping her off. Now she's engaged. Wow, what happened? So fast, right? You are not made for this world. You're made for another world that's going to be good and perfect. Hang in there. [00:49:49] (24 seconds) #LifeIsTemporary

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. [00:54:26] (23 seconds) #EvilWithinIsGreatestChallenge

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. [01:04:07] (16 seconds) #BringJesusEverywhere

Find a place this week to share Jesus with somebody. Man, this world is so broken. And they think it's this. They think it's finding identity in this world. It's not. And so would you have the courage to share Jesus with someone? [01:04:35] (23 seconds) #ShareJesusCourageously

What are you going to do with Jesus is the most important question that will ever be asked of you. And here's the choice that you have. 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. [01:06:51] (20 seconds) #WhatWillYouDoWithJesus

Let Jesus take it. He knows everything you've ever done. He knows everything you've ever said. Let Jesus take the chains from your life. He'll put them on himself. Let Jesus take your nakedness, and he'll clothe you with righteousness. Let Jesus take your blood and your mess, and he'll put them upon himself, and he'll give you his glory so that you may live with him forever. That's the choice that's before us today. [01:07:46] (29 seconds) #LetJesusTakeYourBurden

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