Mike,Hi D____,
Are we humbled by our evil?
D____
Thank you for your question. You ask if our evil experience humbles us?
The answer is an emphatic, yes, it does! I know that I have been humbled and humiliated and tormented by my own evil. Yes, definitely, we are humbled by our evil experience if we are at all attuned to what God is doing with and in us. Our own faults, weaknesses and sins are as much a part of our suffering as are the persecutions from without:
Ecc 1:13 I applied my heart to inquiring and exploring by wisdom concerning all that is done under the heavens:it is an experience of evil Elohim has given to the sons of humanity to humble them by it.
If we take this verse in an outward way only, we have missed the most important part of its message. What is inward is always primary:
Mat 23:26 Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also.Now look at this verse:
Pro 16:4 The LORD hath made all [things] for himself: yea, even the wicked for the day of evil.
If we apply this verse to the notoriously evil men of this world, and do not see that God has made each of us evil for our own "day of evil" within, then this verse has absolutely no personal value for any of us. We will mistakenly think it is all outward and speaking of others. But such is NOT the case. This verse is speaking primarily of "that which is within."
The inward should always be first, then the things which are without will take care of themselves. It is such a relief to finally be granted the peace of mind that comes with hating and despising the things that once controlled us. We will always have to fight those demons, but now we are the boss if Christ is in us, and the Adversary now cowers at the very presence of Christ who really is dwelling in His temple and is sitting with His father on His throne in His own house. What a blessing it is to no longer be tormented by the fears that come with being completely out of control. What a blessing to have control of our own spirit through the spirit of Christ!
1Co 14:32 And the spirits of the prophets are subject to the prophets.
Of course it is Christ within us to which the spirits of the prophets submit, but He is now there ruling within. That is a very pleasant change from what was once the case.
I hope this is of some help.
Your brother and your friend,