Rescued from evil

“Pray, too, that we will be rescued from wicked and evil people, for not everyone is a believer. But the Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.” 2 Thessalonians‬ ‭3‬:‭2‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

These verses are interesting. First Paul asks for prayer and then promptly answers himself. It appears he is talking to the Thessalonians but in fact his statement answers his own request.

Jesus taught us to pray, in the Lord’s Prayer He instructed us to ask the Father for deliverance from evil and temptation. It, therefore, is prudent that we pray thus. I often forget, and then when I remember I do. I am not so spiritual that I can avoid evil, I need the Lord’s help, we all do.

Recently Bethel church in America wrote an apology letter for not publicly dealing with the sin of an associate. Pastor Bill mentioned that he is so reluctant to accuse a brother that it became a weakness for him. He has shown us that a strength can be used against us by our enemy.

We can assess ourselves and not find evil at work, when in fact our devious enemy is using our attempts to honour and live in grace. The accuser is ever at work. People become offended by our oversights and omissions. People are hurt by our blindness. I am quite capable of causing offence. Here in Nepal I might come out with a statement that to me seems right but it deeply hurts and offends my Nepali Christian friends. They have lived lives that are so different to me.

Lord please watch over me, I ask for awareness of all I say and do, am I hurting with what I say and do, or not say and do? Amen!