Evil Must Be Resisted, Not Excused

“Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

Come near to God and He will come near to you.”

 James 4:7–8

Albert Einstein observed in his own century what Scripture has warned for millennia: evil grows when good people remain silent. Reflecting on Hitler’s rise, he wrote, “The power of the evil man is the result of the darkness of the good.” Prejudice tolerated, injustice ignored, and moral numbness allowed devastating evil to flourish. His sobering conclusion—“The world is in greater danger from those who tolerate or encourage evil than from those who actually commit it”—echoes James, who warns that sin includes not only doing wrong but also failing to do the good we know we should do (James 4:17). Indifference is never neutral; it is spiritually dangerous and must be resisted.

But the good news is this: God never asks us to stand against evil in our own strength. He Himself empowers us to resist it and overcome it with good (Romans 12:21). Evil may be aggressive, but grace is stronger. Temptation may whisper loudly, but God’s Spirit speaks more deeply. When we confess our sins, He responds with mercy; when we humble ourselves, He moves toward us like a Father running to meet His returning child. And when we resist the devil—even with trembling faith—the devil flees, for he cannot stand before a believer sheltered under Christ’s authority.

This is why God’s sovereignty becomes our courage. We do not fight alone or in uncertainty; we stand with the One who has already defeated the powers of darkness through the cross and resurrection. His victory assures us that darkness will not write the final chapter of our story. It gives strength when we feel weak, hope when we feel overwhelmed, and steadiness when fear threatens our peace. A great verse to use as a prayer in such moments is: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come near to God and He will come near to you.” — James 4:7–8. This simple promise has carried countless believers through battles of fear, temptation, and spiritual attack. One small step toward God brings a thousand steps of His strength, His peace, and His unfailing love toward us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give us courage to resist evil, not ignore it. When temptation whispers, speak more deeply. When fear presses in, draw near as You have promised.Search our hearts, forgive our hidden sins, and strengthen us with Your grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.