I've been wondering. There is a person in my life that is causing a lot of strife and frustration. I'm begining to wonder if they have actually been planted in my life by evil forces and are a true servent of evil. One trait I notice about truly evil people is how sincere and kind they can appear to others....almost as if they have others under a "spell" that blinds them to the truth.
How do we identify the difference between just a person who has issues and a truly Evil one?
:Chinscratch:
Seeker
We can only judge by the fruit what is evil and we were never allowed to judge somebodies motives. No other man "knows what is in a mans heart, except the spirit of this man" ( I am quoting from memory ). We all have Good and evil seeds sown into our lives, some more some less. Evil remains evil, needs to be confronet in love and truth and be renounced by the person, no matter what their motives are. That doesn't mean we go around and try to change people. I would recommend to pray for people that trouble us that they would experience the Holy Spirits Presence and Love in their lives and if they continue to trouble you pray that our Heavenly Dad would remove them out of our lives or give us the Grace to treat them as He would treat them. From personal experience I would say the more one prays for an evil person, the more one will get the love for them to do the right thing and maybe the Holy Spirit will allow us then to confront them with their evil behaviour. It also good to bless them, for remember that the Blessing of God involves our being turned from our sins. Evil is a state of being and can have different sources. From counselling experience I know that abused people who havn't experienced healing will very often, if not always, start to abuse others as soon as they have the power to do so, cause that's all they learned. So even if one can't really blame them, its evil behaviour nevertheless. When one understands this dynamics its easier to love ones enemies. Hope this is of some help.
edit
Though I would add that I really cannot stress how much the last year has felt like someone had thrown me in the room with a couple of vicious lions, I mean really, all jokes aside. Heck, this has to be a spiritual thing, I got a headache just writing this.
Yes, I can identify. I had stuff like this happening to me. Its really hard when stuff like this is happening. I will pray for you as the Holy Spirit leads. Just know you are not alone in this and your Heavenly Dad has His purpose for your life, also in this kind of evil situations.
Seeker... that's quite a question! :happy3:
We could look at just "what is evil"? for quite some time! :mshock:
At times, I can "feel" something yucky coming from people who are supposed to be "good"... :sigh:
At times I will begin to shake.
It can be rather inconvenient! :mblush:
I don't know if it is evil I feel or what but it's not nice, that's for sure!
If I were you, I would just really be praying (silently) while around anyone who seems dark to you and ask the Lord how to show you how to relate or respond to that person. He'll show you!
Arctic, I feel for you, man! You guys and gals who have to work among difficult people have a totally different life than I do. Although my 4 children have definitely given me some heart breaking times through the years...
Hmmmmm......... One of my old girlfriends said that if their upper gums showed when they smiled they were evil people
After that a lot evil people whoose upper gums did not show when they smiled slipped right by LOL......... served me right for listening to her.
Blessings
Doug
Another point is not to fear evil and realize everything (including evil) is subject to God. Evil has been used throughout history as a tool used by God for specific purposes. God created evil.
I form the light, and create darkness: I make peace, and create evil: I the LORD do all these things.
.
So.. 1. we need to recognize we are being confronted with evil, 2.We should not to fear evil, 3. Pray to God for discernment as to why there is evil in our lives, 4. Yield to God.
With that said... I would not expect someone to voluntarily expose themslves to those that make us feel uneasy all the time. In that case, avoidance might be the best remedy.
I echo pretty much what everyone else said. If their fruits are evil, pray for them.
Ditto on what Floyd said (I know, I'm so original) about blessing people who are troublesome. Paraphrasing from the Bible, being nice often lightly stuns a troublesome person enough to make them at least think about their actions, and when you're nice, you're heaping hot coals on their head. :tongue:
This doesn't work for all troublemakers, though. Use love, the Truth, and common sense.
I'm not saying that I practice the above on a regular basis, though. I tend to shoot back with my own jab before thinking. Thankfully, those jabs are less hurtful than they used to be, and I have not been in a professional situation in which the feelings come up enough for me to want to lash out.
The discerning of spirits can come into manifestation with people as well as spirits. I have experienced my heart pounding and a lack of calm or peace around some very nice people who turned out to be false brethren sent to destroy. I know we have to be careful with this as many who claim to have discerning of sprits really just have a spirit of suspicion. But there is a real where your spirit within you can size and measure another and know that something is wrong before they ever do anything that would cause anyone condern.
John
Good post John. I've experienced this a lot. But even though I can't remember a time when my discernment deceived me, I still don't trust it unconditionaly. I think its always good to heed the warningsigns in our spirit, but to also know there could be a lot of reasons for them, just as you said. When I experience something like this I first try to check if the person involved reminds me of somebody else and if I got some prejudices in my heart because of that. Its also good to alway think the best of people, even when we sense we need to be carefull.
Greetings
By the law of darkness following light evil will try to destroy good but in the process it will reveal itself. Paul spoke of it happening within him and by law in Romans 7, 19-23
We also see this around us and I have walked around the outside of a place where saints have come together to worship and have not felt the presence of evil but as soon as I have walked inside the congregation I have felt the attack of evil from some in attendance attacking me and fulfilling this law . I am sure many here have known evil people in the church to be as what the Apostles called spots in our feasts but do we always know who all of them are? Eventually the evil in their heart comes to the surface and we can feel its presence as well as confirm it by what comes from their mouths
Last year I attended a tabernacles conference but as soon as I walked inside and while things were still being set up I could already feel the presence of evil from some in the room. As the numbers grew so did the presence of evil and it was not long before lies were coming forth from the pulpit. Later I saw a form of witchcraft practiced by one of the elders with some of the flock that I had been warned of being practiced within the leadership of this group. Consequently I kept my association to a minimum and in time and after leaving this conference I broke ranks one by one with all others who were associated with that group.
God honored that move by me and His Blessings increased in me and around me but within others who stayed in fellowship with what was not approved of by God I witnessed their darkness increase as time went by.
This is one of the reasons why God wants us out of Babylon other than because Babylon holds us back because it is time for Babylon to be judged.
The following scripture speaks of those who have departed the masses of false worship but there are still others who remain and live in Babylon and in the flesh. When those who are chosen to get out of Babylon die to the flesh and live to Christ the judgement on evil that is to come will come and babylon will be destroyed.
Re.6: 9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Blessings
Doug
How do we identify if someone is evil?
Just ask the Lord. Not sure what you're hearing from Him?
Are you ever known for any tongue in cheek comments?
If so, then ask 'em straight out if they're evil. Seriously.
You'll have your answer based on the nature of the "rise" that you get out of 'em :icon_king:
Martin,
So you would just outright ask "Are you evil?"
SeekerRuth
Quote from: Seeker on August 15, 2007, 05:42:33 AM
Martin,
So you would just outright ask "Are you evil?"
SeekerRuth
:happy3: :grin: :happy3:
:laugh: :laugh: :mock: :omg:
-SeekerRuth
:laughing7: If they have the same reaction, you might get 'em outta your face for a while :bigGrin:
You shall know them by their fruit, and it also works in reverse. :2c:
Peace
Paul
A personality conflict is also a possibility, instead of anything sinister being afoot. You get along with everybody except for this person? Good indication that you just need to minimize your time with them and it's absolutely nobody's fault. Just a matter of where you both happen to be at in your lives. Sometimes a humility issue might be worked out by the Lord along the way, in either you or them about this or that, that the Lord may have decided that that particularly thing didn't need to be pushing your buttons. So, He just brought them into your life to highlight it in your life when you're alone with Him later.
Quote from: FloydWe can only judge by the fruit what is evil and we were never allowed to judge somebodies motives.
We also cannot judge a tree that has not come into harvest. A tree with no fruit, is just a tree without fruit.
Matthew 13:29But he said, 'No; for while you are gathering up the tares, you may uproot the wheat with them.
Quote from: martincisneros on August 15, 2007, 07:25:32 AM
A personality conflict is also a possibility, instead of anything sinister being afoot. You get along with everybody except for this person? Good indication that you just need to minimize your time with them and it's absolutely nobody's fault. Just a matter of where you both happen to be at in your lives. Sometimes a humility issue might be worked out by the Lord along the way, in either you or them about this or that, that the Lord may have decided that that particularly thing didn't need to be pushing your buttons. So, He just brought them into your life to highlight it in your life when you're alone with Him later.
That is what I believe Paul was saying when he said:
Romans 16:19 I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil.
You all have given good advice. Thank you so much. I think I will seperate myself from the situation as much as possible to get some clarity (and peace of mind). I'm sure God wants me to see something within myself that is weak....maybe an insecurity that I need to work out with Him.
Peace,
SeekerRuth
I am glad. My advice, stop worrying about who is evil, and start living in what is good. Things have a way of working out.
Quote from: Seeker on August 09, 2007, 06:17:38 AM
How do we identify the difference between just a person who has issues and a truly Evil one?
There are no truly evil people. People cannot be evil. They can do things which seem "evil", but God created humans to love and be loved. If they are acting in what you think are "evil" ways, they have issues! They need love. To judge a person as evil is to hamper the ability to love, to have compassion and empathy for those who are truly in need of healing.
Quote from: Casstranquility on August 16, 2007, 07:18:40 PM
Quote from: Seeker on August 09, 2007, 06:17:38 AM
How do we identify the difference between just a person who has issues and a truly Evil one?
There are no truly evil people. People cannot be evil. They can do things which seem "evil", but God created humans to love and be loved. If they are acting in what you think are "evil" ways, they have issues! They need love. To judge a person as evil is to hamper the ability to love, to have compassion and empathy for those who are truly in need of healing.
That's right! :D
Quote from: Casstranquility on August 16, 2007, 07:18:40 PM
There are no truly evil people. People cannot be evil. They can do things which seem "evil", but God created humans to love and be loved. If they are acting in what you think are "evil" ways, they have issues! They need love. To judge a person as evil is to hamper the ability to love, to have compassion and empathy for those who are truly in need of healing.
That's exactly what I tried to say in my complicated german way.
Greetings
I am grateful for the lives and outlooks that some people have been allowed to have. However evil is a spirit and there are people who are consumed with it.
Fortunately it is something you have not been exposed to and I hope you never are........
Blessings
Doug
Doug,
I didn't want to be the first one to say it, but I have experienced evil also. I'm not trying to spark a debate here, but just wanted to say that I don't yet understand the perspective that good or evil don't exist. I will have to pray about this topic more.
SeekerRuth
Hi Ruth
I think some of us have allowed evil to reveal itself at some point in our lives and consequently it will always try to gain control over us. I have admitted this aspect of my past to others and although that seems to have worked both ways within them however by me it has been my way of shinning the light on Satan. In my own battle to bury the old man it is actually an advantage for me because there is no doubt when my flesh shows up once I move beyond my weakness for ice cream LOL.
However some folks by either choice, denial or lacking the knowledge on how to confront evil have allowed it to rule freely in them. Even with the amount of exposure that I have had to evil in my past I am still amazed at just how ugly it can be when I see it openly rule over people. But I do not consider them to be any real danger to us simply because we can see it for what it is but within those who "appear as ministers of righteousness" or just every day nice people......... those are the ones who do the most damage to us. We are told to be wise as serpents because Satan is a 24/7 adversary but I believe confidence and understanding along with humility can defeat any enemy
No matter what Ruth you can be assured that Christ is not only more powerful then the strongest of evil spirits......... they tremble at the very name of Christ Jesus in the mouth of one who knows the Lord and is skillful in handling the Word.
Evil is not a game to be played with unless ones idea of fun is playing with vipers or poisonous spiders but it is not to ever be allowed to rule over a Christian or cause them to fear it. Evil can be defeated by any Christian who loves the Lord and studies the word. I emphasize the study the word part because one does not need any sort of "deliverance ministry" to overcome it either within themselves or to help someone else overcome it. To be perfectly frank I believe deliverance ministries to be one of Satan's favorite hangouts just because of the lack of knowledge and understanding of those who participate in them.
We have all been given the same Holy Spirit and it is greater than any principality that ever has been or ever will be...... You have it and I have it......... but Satan does not have it.
Blessings
Doug
QuoteFloyd said "I would recommend to pray for people that trouble us that they would experience the Holy Spirits Presence and Love in their lives and if they continue to trouble you pray that our Heavenly Dad would remove them out of our lives or give us the Grace to treat them as He would treat them."
I agree with you completely, Floyd, about this statement! I know it works and it's amazing how it can happen. I never pray harm for others because they've hurt me. I pray they hear the "voice" of OUR FATHER, they HE BLESS them in the way they need, or to remove them from my life. Believe me it works. Sometimes not as fast as I'd like it, of course. :gangel: But, HE does hear our prayers.
I ask your patience with me about everything showing in quote! I am new to this so I have a lot to learn about the message board! I like the options of the message board form, but just need to make my mistakes and learn. :grin: I tried to put Floyd's comment in quote and somehow, everything was in quote. Also, I've noticed the quote like this used on MYCHURCH sites, comments. How do you get this to show up on their comments? If I can ever get it straight about using it, it certainly does make posts easier to see and keep what they said/I said clearer. Thanks!
Quote from: Yahschild on November 05, 2007, 01:59:13 PM
QuoteFloyd said "I would recommend to pray for people that trouble us that they would experience the Holy Spirits Presence and Love in their lives and if they continue to trouble you pray that our Heavenly Dad would remove them out of our lives or give us the Grace to treat them as He would treat them."
I agree with you completely, Floyd, about this statement! I know it works and it's amazing how it can happen. I never pray harm for others because they've hurt me. I pray they hear the "voice" of OUR FATHER, they HE BLESS them in the way they need, or to remove them from my life. Believe me it works. Sometimes not as fast as I'd like it, of course. :gangel: But, HE does hear our prayers.
I ask your patience with me about everything showing in quote! I am new to this so I have a lot to learn about the message board! I like the options of the message board form, but just need to make my mistakes and learn. :grin: I tried to put Floyd's comment in quote and somehow, everything was in quote. Also, I've noticed the quote like this used on MYCHURCH sites, comments. How do you get this to show up on their comments? If I can ever get it straight about using it, it certainly does make posts easier to see and keep what they said/I said clearer. Thanks!
Ohh, I noticed the quote along with modify, so I am trying to add something to see what happens. At least I will know what to do with that now. Great forum message options!
Hi yahschild!
I don't do a very good job of explaining tech stuff- I'm still learning myself but after you hit the quote button, your comments have to be written after the end of their quote which ends with this little thingy:
[ quote ]
I put spaces in there or else it messes up this little explanation.
Does that make any sense?
Just fixed two posts formatting only
Quote from: hopeful on November 05, 2007, 02:46:53 PM
Hi yahschild!
I don't do a very good job of explaining tech stuff- I'm still learning myself but after you hit the quote button, your comments have to be written after the end of their quote which ends with this little thingy:
[ quote ]
I put spaces in there or else it messes up this little explanation.
Does that make any sense?
Yes it does! I tried to respond to your message by clicking quote and then typing this below. Perhaps someday I'll learn how to get this type "quote" message on mychurch Comments to a blog. They don't have html on the comment to blog, but I've seen some comments as this nice blog area does. Thank you for taking the time and interest that you did help me! I appreciate it! :Sparkletooth:
Wow! :boogie: I explained a tech problem!
There really is hope for all the world! :winkgrin:
:grin:
There is a God hopeful you just proved it! :thumbsup:
:laughing7:
kept
The question for me is -- Should we even be identifying anyone as evil?
Should we put labels on people? I believe it's better to keep away from classifying and putting great thought into people we see as evil.......better to focus on that which is good and pure.