“But I’m a good person!” “But s/he’s a good person!”
By Elizabeth Prata
The problem of the evil that is in each and every person on earth is troublesome. For many reasons, of course, but for this reason today: we can’t see it all. We don’t see it all.
We point to Hitler as if he was an anomaly. ‘He’s really evil, unlike us’, we think. Wrong. The LORD simply allowed the evil that was in him to emerge into action. The potential for actions like Hitler’s or any other serial killer, child molester, or tyrant like Nero, is there. We are all not as bad as we could be, mercifully. God puts the restraints on us, but evil is there. Often in thought if not deed. And more than we think.
See “Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible” commenting on Hosea 7:1-7, the manifold sins of Israel, below.
The actual wickedness of men’s lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. But when lust is inwardly cherished, it will break forth into outward sin. Those who tempt others to drunkenness never can be their real friends, and often design their ruin. Thus men execute the Divine vengeance on each other. Those are not only heated with sin, but hardened in sin, who continue to live without prayer, even when in trouble and distress.
Did you see that first sentence? The actual wickedness of what is in men’s lives bears a very small proportion to what is in their hearts. It’s the old iceberg analogy again. What we see bobbin on the surface is minuscule compared to what is under the surface, hidden from view.
A practical disbelief of God’s government was at the bottom of all Israel’s wickedness; as if God could not see it or did not heed it. Their sins appear on every side of them. Their hearts were inflamed by evil desires, like a heated oven. In the midst of their troubles as a nation, the people never thought of seeking help from God.
God does see it all in us. He knows what is in a man’s heart. God is our very great helper to resist sin and live a holy life. Not just the Israelites, bow often do we in our day forget to turn to God?
We cannot be ‘a good person’ without His help.
Therefore let’s approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace for help at the time of our need. (Hebrews 4:16)
