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It cracked me up this morning after Pastor Keith ministered to the GraceLife kids and they were dismissed. Pastor Chris said he’d “throw hands” against evil… meanwhile Pastor Joe, about 30 feet away, was side-eyeing him hard and shaking his head like, “nooo!” It was a great comedic opening to some hard truths.


Week 24: A Sinner in Love with God. The Life of David (Facing Evil).


Today’s message really got me thinking… what does it actually look like to handle evil correctly? I never thought about a “correct” way to handle evil.


Well, I know one thing for sure. We’re not supposed to “throw hands”


I couldn’t help but think about the old version of me versus who I am now. Years ago, I would have reacted out of anger (thrown hands). And honestly? I used to be just like the people I’m tempted to judge today. So who am I to judge?


“Where can we find the courage to face evil, without taking God’s place as judge? #FacingEvil #LifeOfDavid #SundaySermonPreviews”


The tension I’m feeling after today’s sermon is mercy and confrontation at the same time.

One thing said today that will really challenge me is hearing that saying, “I’ll just pray about it,” which sounds spiritual, can actually be fear. A cop-out. It’s avoiding hard conversations. It’s avoiding calling out what’s wrong.


And on the flip side of that, judging people isn’t boldness… it’s often fear and arrogance. Whew.


This is a perfect opportunity to practice “discernment.” My sponsor in recovery brought this word up about a week ago and encouraged us to talk about it—uncover its spiritually principled meaning. She asked us how we’re practicing it currently and ways we could practice it more.


So after hearing today’s message, what does this look like for me, practically?


It means calling out what’s wrong when needed, but doing it with humility instead of anger. It’s learning when to speak and when to stay quiet. Letting go of the need to win or prove I’m right. It’s remembering that I’ve been rescued from the very things I’m tempted to judge in others, and trusting God to handle what I can’t and what I shouldn’t. And when I do speak, asking Him to guide not just if I should say something, but how it needs to be said.


I also thought today about the 1942 Looney Tunes cartoon “The Sheepish Wolf.” It’s a simple but powerful picture of deception. Evil doesn’t always look obvious. The wolf blends in, appearing harmless, just like the warning in Matthew 7:15 about false prophets. I rewatched it on YouTube after church, and what stood out to me is the role of discernment—the “black sheep” who recognizes the danger and speaks up. It’s a reminder that we’re called to be aware and to call out truth when needed, but not from a place of pride or fear.


Where am I seeing evil in my life right now?

Am I trying to control it, avoid it, or judge it?

Or am I trusting God while responding with both truth and grace?


It’s definitely something to think about, and apply to my life.