9 Reasons Why the Church cannot afford to be ignorant of Evil?

"​Lest Satan should get an advantage of us:
for we are not ignorant of his devices."
​2 Corinthians 2:11

​Being ignorant of evil can have significant consequences for individuals and society as a whole. Here are some reasons why it is important not to be ignorant of evil:

1. Personal safety: Understanding the potential for evil and harmful behaviors can help individuals be more vigilant and cautious in their interactions with others. Recognizing warning signs and red flags can contribute to personal safety and well-being.
2. Prevention of harm: Awareness of evil actions and their underlying causes can aid in identifying potential threats and intervening before harm is inflicted on others. This is particularly crucial in situations where vulnerable individuals or groups may be at risk.
3. Building empathy and compassion: Understanding the origins and consequences of evil can help foster empathy and compassion for victims and survivors. It can also provide insights into the factors that lead individuals to perpetrate evil acts, encouraging efforts to address those root causes.
4. Promoting ethical decision-making: Knowledge of the psychology of evil can serve as a reminder of the potential for harmful actions and encourage individuals to reflect on their own moral choices. This reflection may lead to more ethical decision-making and a greater sense of responsibility for one's actions.
5. Social awareness and responsibility: Recognizing evil behaviors in society prompts a collective responsibility to address and combat them. It can motivate individuals and communities to work together to create a safer and more just environment.
6. Preventing history from repeating: By understanding the atrocities and evils of the past, we can learn from historical mistakes and work to prevent similar events from occurring in the future. Awareness of historical atrocities is essential for building a more tolerant and inclusive society.
7. Resisting manipulation and propaganda: Understanding how evil can be propagated through misinformation and manipulation helps individuals become more discerning consumers of information and less susceptible to manipulation.
8. Encouraging justice and accountability: Awareness of evil acts encourages the pursuit of justice and accountability for those who perpetrate harm. It supports the establishment of legal systems and mechanisms to address and prevent evil actions.
9. Psychological well-being: Being informed about the existence and manifestations of evil can help individuals make sense of traumatic or challenging experiences and promote psychological healing and resilience.

​It is important to note that while it is essential not to be ignorant of evil, it is equally important to avoid becoming consumed by negativity or falling into despair; This is where Jesus is proven "Good News". Knowledge about evil should be used constructively to promote positive change, understanding, empathy and a tool to help bring people to Jesus. Education, open dialogue, and a commitment to ethical principles is what Christianity is all about. Addressing and mitigating the impact of evil in the world is the great commission! Jesus gave to us when he said: 

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying,
All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
​(Matthew 28:18-20)