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Synopsis from atstracts.org

According to the Bible, the same evil found in dreaded dictators has taken up residence in every human heart. The only way to defeat evil's hold on our souls is by washing in the blood of Christ.

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United States President George W. Bush got the world’s attention during his 2003 State of the Union address.

“In Iran, we continue to see a government that represses its people, pursues weapons of mass destruction, and supports terror….On the Korean Peninsula, an oppressive regime rules a people living in fear and starvation.” And, “Saddam Hussein has gone to elaborate lengths, spent enormous sums, taken great risks to build and keep weapons of mass destruction.”

The President added:
“The dictator who is assembling the world’s most dangerous weapons has already used them on whole villages—leaving thousands of his own citizens dead, blind, or disfigured...[torturing children…electric shock...burning...mutilation...] If this is not evil, then evil has no meaning.”1

The world has long struggled with evil, as far back as creation, when the serpent deceived the first innocent people into turning away from their Creator. Since that time evil has grown and multiplied, not only exemplified in the atrocities of history, but existing within our own hearts as well. A look at the movie titles at the local video store reveals our society has become obsessed with evil and demons as entertainment, yet one look at the evening news will tell us evil is more than fantasy.

In the Bible, in the 5th chapter of Mark, Jesus heals “a man with an evil spirit” and restores him to his right mind. Jesus was displaying the power of God over evil to those who would believe, but, as today, not everyone would. The apostle Paul later explained evil further in Ephesians 6:12: “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

The good news is that God will NOT allow evil to flourish unchecked forever. Every person—dictator or not—will ultimately be examined and judged by a holy God. “The Son of Man [Jesus] will send out his angels, and they will weed out of his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil” (Matthew 13:41).

God’s judgment WILL happen on a grand scale one day, but until then, YOU could be brought before Him at any time. “No man…has power over the day of his death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). And what will you tell God on YOUR final day? On what grounds will you base your claims for entrance into His heaven? Your good deeds? Your church affiliation? The fact that you never killed anyone?

The truth is, none of these claims are enough to overcome the evil in your heart, the sin that weighs you down or causes even the slightest impure thoughts and desires. Have you ever been angry at another driver?…found someone besides your spouse to be physically attractive?… looked at that little cool car, or big new truck, in your neighbor’s driveway and secretly wished it was yours? You don’t need to be an evil dictator to be a sinner. Jesus says we ALL sin because we are human, and that’s enough for us to be condemned to hell…forever.

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God... [and] the wages of sin is death....”
Romans 3:23; 6:23

Since we’re all guilty, the only way to stand before a holy God with a “clean heart” is to have our sins washed away, and the only One qualified to do that is God Himself... and He has...through His Son. That’s what happened on that cross you hear about every Easter. On it Jesus willingly died to free the world from the penalty of sin and death (eternal separation from God). He died, so that we may live. He rose again so that we may live…forever! “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit” (1 Peter 3:18).

There is no more death, suffering, or evil in heaven. For those who accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, Revelation 21:4 states that when we’re in heaven, “He [Jesus] will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”

You can’t rid your soul of sin, but you can escape its pull, and be freed of its penalty when you put your trust in Jesus Christ. You can do that through a prayer like this:

Dear Lord Jesus,
I admit I harbor evil in my heart, and I am ashamed when it comes out. I am guilty. Please forgive me of my sin. I accept You now as my Savior, believing You died to pay the penalty for my sin, and rose again to give me eternal life. I trust in You alone to give me a new life, both now and forever. Amen.

“Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.” 23rd Psalm, 4th verse

Bible references: NIV
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