Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  8000 The life of the believer  »  8700 Threats to the life of faith  »  8785 opposition  »  8786 opposition, to sin and evil

Believers are called upon to opppose all that is hostile to God's purposes in the world.

God opposes evil

Matthew 21:12-13 pp Mark 11:15-16 pp Luke 19:45-46 pp John 2:14-17 See also Exodus 4:24; Leviticus 20:3; Leviticus 26:14-17; Numbers 22:22; Malachi 3:2-5; James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5; Revelation 2:16

God's people should oppose evil

Within themselves

Colossians 3:5 See also Matthew 5:29-30; Romans 8:13

Among themselves

Galatians 2:11 See also 1 Corinthians 5:12-13; Ephesians 5:3

Examples of failure to oppose evil

Within the church

1 Corinthians 5:1-2; Revelation 2:20

Within the family

1 Samuel 3:13; 1 Kings 1:6

Within the state

Habakkuk 1:4 See also Judges 5:23; 1 Samuel 15:9-11; Jeremiah 5:28

Examples of unwise opposition to evil

Matthew 26:51-52 pp Mark 14:47 pp Luke 22:50-51; John 18:10-11; Luke 9:54-55; Acts 19:13-16

Opposing evil by doing good

Commanded by God

1 Peter 2:15 See also Matthew 5:44; Romans 12:20-21; 1 Thessalonians 5:15

Exemplified in Scripture

Numbers 12:13; 1 Samuel 24:17; Samuel 26:11; 2 Kings 6:22; Luke 22:51; Luke 23:34

Motives for opposing evil

Concern for the honour and glory of God

Numbers 25:6-13 See also 1 Kings 19:10; Ezekiel 28:22; John 2:17

Concern for the good of others

Galatians 2:4-5 See also Deuteronomy 17:12-13; 1 Timothy 5:20

See also

5485  punishment, legal aspects
5731  parents
5931  resistance
6026  sin, judgment on
6186  evil scheming
8230  discipline
8275  honesty
8292  love
8370  zeal
8451  mortification
8737  evil, responses to
8766  heresies