Battling Wickedness
Sword of the Spirit
These wicked people are too proud to seek God. They seem to think that God is dead. Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They pour scorn on all their enemies. They say to themselves, "Nothing bad will ever happen to us! We will be free of trouble forever!" The wicked say to themselves, "God isn't watching! He will never notice!" Arise, O LORD! Punish the wicked, O God! Do not forget the helpless! (Ps. 10:4 – 6, 11 – 12)
David's Battle: Wickedness
David felt completely surrounded by wickedness. Everywhere he turned, people behaved badly. Most of the time, they acted like they could care less what God or anyone else thought about how they were acting – as long as they got what they want. Their wickedness was often rooted in selfishness. Things haven't changed much, have they?! So, what did David do? Did he just throw his hands up in the air and say, "They're awful! They're not changing anyway, so why should I bother?" No way! He knew this was a battle that he had to fight – even if it looked hopeless at times. So, how did David go about fighting wickedness? Could he just blink his eyes and make it all go away? Could he pass laws and expect everyone to suddenly obey them? Nope! He had to fight this battle in a creative way. First of all, he had to set an example of what righteousness looked like. He did that by living a godly life. Then he had to tackle wickedness a little bit at a time. He couldn't conquer the whole world in a day. None of us can. But he could do a little at a time – as long as he never gave up trying.
Strategic Questions:
What makes a person wicked?
Do the wicked ever change?
How do you react when the wicked seem to be getting what they want?
Putting On Your Armor:
Do you ever feel like everyone around you seems to be choosing wickedness instead of godliness? Do you ever feel alone in your beliefs? David certainly understood this feeling. It's tough being a Lone Ranger, but it is possible to stand up for your faith, even when everyone around you seems to be falling. Remember, the runner who completes the race is a winner in God's eye. You can win this race against wickedness! You can make it to the finish line without giving in to the temptation to doing wicked things, yourself. Instead, be committed to living a godly life. Tackle wickedness one battle at a time.
S.O.S. (Speaking to Our Savior in prayer)
Dear Lord,
Help me not to get overwhelmed when everyone around me seems to be falling. Help me to remember that I can stand up for my faith, regardless. Help me to live a godly life. In Your Name, Amen.
Which Side Are You On? (Thought for the Day)
Who is more influenced by wickedness? – those who are wicked or those who are trying not to be?
