Evil has plagued humankind since the dawn of time. Ever since the fall of humanity in Eden’s paradise, we have wrestled with the dark inclinations of the soul—the propensity to sin and to do harm to others. Evil is the unfortunate result of the corrupted “image of God” within individuals, an image that can only be restored as Christ transforms and reshapes our souls.
Truly, Solomon could not have been more correct: “There is nothing new under the sun.” But the good news is that the scriptures promise evil will not prevail in the world. The wicked will indeed fade like the grass of the field.
For the past year, it has been difficult even to listen to the morning news. The daily headlines are replete with stories of the latest harmful actions out of Washington, D.C.
The policies of the Trump administration are responsible for a myriad of harms. Our democracy is being systematically dismantled. Power is being consolidated into the executive branch. Healthcare subsidies will not be renewed in order to give tax breaks to millionaires and billionaires. Immigrant communities are being terrorized by ICE. Our military is being used to execute alleged drug smugglers from Venezuela without due process.
Evil seems to be flourishing, with no end in sight.
The natural response to the flourishing of evil is to feel overwhelmed by the chaos, injustice, and violence. It is easy to lose heart, to lose hope for a free and egalitarian society. Yet be encouraged: scripture promises that evil will not succeed in the world, because of the providential hand of the Lord:
Do not fret because of those who are evil
or be envious of those who do wrong;
2 for like the grass they will soon wither,
like green plants they will soon die away…12 The wicked plot against the righteous
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
for he knows their day is coming.14 The wicked draw the sword
and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
15 But their swords will pierce their own hearts,
and their bows will be broken…20 But the wicked will perish:
Though the Lord’s enemies are like the flowers of the field,
they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.
(Psalm 37)
As we, the Church, work for justice, mercy, and kindness in the world, we must remember that we are not alone. The triune God of the universe—the One who established the earth upon its foundations, who strides the heights of creation and walks on the wings of the wind—is working to bring justice in this broken, war-torn world. This Advent, let us sing and proclaim with the Virgin Mary:
He has done mighty deeds with His arm;
He has scattered those who were proud in the thoughts of their hearts.
52 He has brought down rulers from their thrones
and has exalted those who were humble.
53 He has filled the hungry with good things
and sent the rich away empty-handed.
(Luke 1:51–53)
Evil will not prevail.
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Donald E. Williams is a United Methodist pastor and Duke University graduate. He completed his doctorate at Duke University in 2022 and is the author of An Investigation Into the Relationship Between Aristotelian Eudaimonia and Christian Discipleship: A Thomistic Perspective, Wipf and Stock Publishers.
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