GOOD AND EVIL
GOOD AND EVIL
The text which I give you is: “Wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil” (Romans 16: 19). In a world of evil the first great thing is to be wise as to that which is good, but as there is evil in yourself and on every side, you are concurrently to guard against being affected by the evil; hence it is added, “simple concerning evil”, or the bad; something very similar to the word: “Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men” (1 Corinthians 14: 20).
Though the mind be enlightened to see the good, yet there is a natural tendency in it, because at the same time seeing the evil, to turn its attention to the latter, instead of being exclusively occupied with the good. Evil is more manifest to you as you see the good, but you are to avoid it, turn away from it, and not be influenced by it, that is, leavened by it. Hence it is said: “Be ye ... wise as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10: 16). You cannot see the good without seeing the bad, but the danger is that the bad should occupy you because you are naturally susceptible of evil, and the very seeing of evil, if it gains your attention, defiles. This we see from Numbers 19.
Who can touch pitch and not be defiled therewith? Thus it often happens that they who are wise as to the good are not simple concerning evil; they are tainted by it. They speak and denounce the evil as [p. 465] if they were quite free from it, not remembering that “as in water face answereth to face, so the heart of man to man” (Proverbs 27: 19), “for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself” (Romans 2: 1). A clear intellect is of great advantage when the light of God guides it, because then by the Spirit you are able to discern between good and evil. The more good you see, the more distinctly will the evil appear. The natural mind is of value, like a good telescope, when it faithfully apprehends everything presented to it. Thus one can speak with the Spirit and with the understanding also. The danger you have to guard against is lest the evil which is discovered in contrast to the good should be entertained by your mind. You must remember that the natural mind has an affinity for evil; if you are occupied with it, you are not free from it. Every natural advantage becomes a snare unless under complete control of the Spirit of God. When your mind is under His control He uses it as a telescope to bring into clear vision the things of the Lord, and the creations of His grace, which in His goodness are scattered broadcast in this evil world like diamonds. The Spirit of God, as you will always find, has an affinity for the good, for these diamonds. I know that you will see the mud, the corruption of this poor world, the better you see the diamonds (remember diamonds are found in an earthy ore); but be assured of this, that if you are diverted from the diamonds to the mud, you are not under the control of the Spirit of God, you are yielding to your natural tendency, even though you are eloquent as to your reprehension of the mud.
The Lord grant that the natural ability to see things as they really are, the telescope, may be so used of the Lord, that you may be so interested in the true, eternal beauties which He may disclose to you, that you may be preserved from occupation with the evil, but overcome evil with good. Then a most interesting and happy path lies before you.
[p. 466] That you may be thus blessed, walking in the unclouded sunshine of His favour, is the one great desire of yours, J.B.S.