Refuse to uphold evil people
Too many support those who accomplish evil. One reason for this widespread phenomenon is that, even among the religious, we have an incorrect definition of evil. Most define evil as what violates the rules of whatever church they belong to. But the meaning of evil is much broader than the edicts of a church. Rather, if good is what leads to the greatest possible benefit of all, evil is anything less. The more something blocks the progress1 of all people, the more evil it is.2
A more correct definition of evil helps you prioritize your fight against it. Many common Christian protests fall to irrelevance. Instead of opposing a celebrity, musician, or author who probably has extremely little effect on the life of you or anyone you know, inform yourself about the clergy, teachers, county council, judges, county prosecutors, school board, and others in your locale. Evaluate the righteousness of supervisors where you work. Look at the comments of the people you are connected with on social media. All of these people affect much greater outcomes in your life, and yet hardly anyone pays attention to or does anything about them. Are they supporting what is good and those who support what is good, or do they fight against good ideas and the people who promote them?
The false idea that we need to treat all people nicely, even when they are evil, hamstrings our ability to conduct the duty we have to call out evil.3 If a person is close to you through family connection, friendship, work, church, or geographical co-location, you have more reason—not less—to raise your voice in opposition to the evil you see them do.4 Those who are offended by your stand from the truth are not your real friends, they aren’t worthy to be in your church, they aren’t your real neighbors, and they are poor excuses for family.5
Too often, people remain silent because they don’t want to bear the cost of speaking up. They want to appease evil people in power at any price. They won’t report a misbehaving supervisor, confront a bullying coworker, or correct their wives because they don’t want to have to deal with the reprisals that are likely to follow. They don’t realize that their wicked cowardice is not only detestable to God, but can only earn them false rewards that are guaranteed to be repaid with interest:
22 Woe unto them that are mighty to drink wine, and men of strength to mingle strong drink:
23 Which justify the wicked for reward, and take away the righteousness of the righteous from him! (Isaiah 5)
Evil that is not addressed will fester and grow. If you do not call out evil when you see it, you share in the guilt for enabling it.6
Footnotes
- 1. This word has been hijacked by those who define it as whatever they desire. Instead, a disciple of Christ defines progress as becoming more like God. ↩
- 2. But whatsoever thing persuadeth men to do evil, and believe not in Christ, and deny him, and serve not God, then ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of the devil; for after this manner doth the devil work, for he persuadeth no man to do good, no, not one; neither do his angels; neither do they who subject themselves unto him. (Moroni 7:17) ↩
- 3. The Lord routinely castigated those who stood in authority. Consider the Lord’s response to his disciples warning them that his teachings were offending the religious rulers: Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, after they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch. (Matthew 15:12-14) ↩
- 4. I also saw great and beautiful funerals for evil people. While the people were going home after the funeral services, they said good things about the evil people who had died. This happened even in the same towns where the evil people had done many bad things. This is senseless. (Ecclesiastes 8:10, ERV) ↩
- 5. While he yet talked to the people, behold, his mother and his brethren stood without, desiring to speak with him. Then one said unto him, Behold, thy mother and thy brethren stand without, desiring to speak with thee. But he answered and said unto him that told him, Who is my mother? and who are my brethren? And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother. (Matthew 12:46-50) ↩
- 6. Thine eye shall not pity him, but thou shalt put away the guilt of innocent blood from Israel, that it may go well with thee. (Deuteronomy 19:13) ↩