WHEN EVIL IS THOUGHT AGAINST YOU

Dearly Beloved,

WHEN EVIL IS THOUGHT AGAINST YOU

“As for you, you thought evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring about that many people should be kept alive, as they are this day” (Genesis 50:20, AMP).

The Bible in many places states that the hearts of men are evil (see Genesis 6:5; 8:21; Job 15:14-16; Psalm 51:5; 53:1-3; Ecclesiastes 9:3; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 15:19). With cause or without cause, evil thoughts are planned against other people. People have suffered, and are still suffering, from such evil thoughts perpetrated in the hearts of men. However, most of these evil thoughts and suffering are for the good of those that love God. On most occasions, God permits those evil thoughts to happen against His loved ones to bring out His best in them. This has been one of the problems of evil on earth. The antagonists of the Bible, and even of God, are ready to point out this.

Nevertheless, the life history of Joseph gives a clue to this. The elder brothers of Joseph hated him because of the love of their father for him and because of his dreams. When they had the opportunity, they planned to kill him so that his dreams would not be fulfilled. They later changed their minds and sold him into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt, Joseph was imprisoned because of the evil thoughts of the wife of his master. Even when the opportunity came for him to be freed from the prison, the person that ought to help him did not remember him. However, at God’s appointed time, he rose to prominence. His brothers became his subjects. In spite of the fact that Joseph had forgiven them, their consciences did not. They needed the assurance of Joseph’s forgiveness. So, in their deceit, they sent a message to Joseph to remind him of their father’s plea on their behalf. Joseph was sad that his brothers had not forgiven themselves. In response, he explained to them that their evil thoughts against him were actually God’s good plan for his life and the relief of many souls.

Are you suffering because of the evil thoughts of some people? Endure the suffering. God is working through the suffering to bring out the best out of you. When Joseph was passing through all his hardships, he did not know that it was for his good, but later, he knew. Apostle Paul assured, “And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28, NASB). Therefore, when evil is thought against you, or even when evil happens to you, God wants to bring something better out of it. That best thing will soon happen in your life in Jesus’ name. Amen.

In His service,

Bayo Afolaranmi (Pastor).