Shall We Run From Evil or Fight Against It?

Here in the USA, there is a lot of chatter, these days, about preppers, survivalists, and leaving one's present locale to find safer and more friendly turf to live. There is much angry and fearful ranting about liberals and conservatives, about gun-lovers and gun-haters, about government sycophants and paranoid citizens. There is a great deal of frustrated conversation about governmental intrusions, terrorists, and criminal activity, all over our Nation. Increasing numbers of residents and citizens seem to have quit or neglected their constitutional responsibilities, and are embracing panic and despair. Instead of standing their ground they are responding to the present social ills nervously, wanting to "cut and run" or "play dead", like scared animals, looking for some kind of way or place to retreat where they think that they will be safer, or at least feel safer for a while. 

But, we are men, not animals, where is our resolve to stand on principal against the evils of this world?

What many fearful or frustrated people do not realize or face is that it is far more dangerous, and ultimately destructive, to try to run away or hide from our problems and the inherent dangers in life: 1) no matter where we might hide or retreat, WE are still the same people. The significance of this is that if we are afraid to actively fight against evil where we are now then changing locales will NOT make us bolder, and it will NOT protect us any better because we shall have continued to choose to FAIL to stand against evil; 2) when we stop acting righteously, abandon our principles, or we abandon where we live, then evil quickly enlarges itself to fill that void which we leave behind.

With godly faith, principles, and planning, strategic retreats can, in the long term, strengthen good causes. However, when otherwise righteous people are just running away from evil to escape it and survive for their own sakes, then they have abandoned righteousness and yielded the field of battle to evil, allowing evil to gain stronger footholds. When righteous people yield to or run from evil then there is no more resistance to stop evil, and thereby the righteous contribute to the growth of evil. 

Therefore, let us determine, with godly resolve, that we shall NOT be part of the tolerance or growth of evil, but that we shall stand and fight against it wherever we are, right now, and always. And if we fear or tire of the battle, let us determine to rest in God's promises, instead of surrendering the battles and war to evil.

James 4:4-10
⁴  Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
⁵   Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
⁶  But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
⁷  Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
⁸  Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
⁹  Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
¹⁰  Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

Be sure that our warfare is grounded in the right foundation.