Call Us: 423 661-4734 | Email: requests@comeandreason.com      
Turning Evil into Good

Turning Evil into Good

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28 NKJV).

The Bible does not say all things are good, but that our God, who is good, can take what is evil, what is not good, and bring good out of it—if we trust Him!

The temptation for us, however, is to distrust God and seek to address the evil, the wrong, or the injustice ourselves rather than faithfully practicing God’s methods in our own lives and trusting Him to bring about the good.

The Bible contains multiple real-life examples—real historical people, who went through real difficulties, who had real evil perpetrated upon them, and how when they trusted God, He brought good out of the evil. But the Bible also demonstrates that when people try to fix things in their own way, using the methods of this world, God sends them messages of warning, counsels them to stay faithful, and implores them to trust Him, but if they insist on doing it their own way, He lets them go to reap what their actions cause—pain, suffering, and sometimes death.

God Turning Evil into Good for Those Who Trust Him

Perhaps the most famous example of God turning evil into good is the story of Joseph, whose brothers sold him into slavery. Despite the evil done to him, Joseph remained faithful and trusted God, who blessed Joseph and, eventually (13 years later) intervened to have Joseph elevated to rule over Egypt, second only to Pharaoh. When his brothers finally stood before him confessing their wrong, he said to them,

You plotted evil against me, but God turned it into good, in order to preserve the lives of many people who are alive today because of what happened (Genesis 50:20 GNT).

Yes! Because Joseph stayed faithful in the face of injustice, betrayal, abuse, and other wrongs, God was able to work through him to bring about great good.

There are many more examples in Scripture of God bringing good out of evil in the lives of those who trust Him with how things turn out rather than seeking to fix it themselves by doing what seems right from a human perspective, using the methods of the world:

  • Shadrack, Meshack, and Abednego trusted God when evil people sought their destruction. And because they trusted God all the way to being thrown into a fiery furnace, God turned the evil into good by not only delivering them in a miraculous way but also, through their witness, they reached a pagan king with the truth about God—as well as inspiring billions through history.
  • Daniel trusted God in the lion’s den, and God brought good out of that evil. After the evil plot by jealous magistrates resulted in the law that no one could pray to anyone but Darius for 30 days, Daniel, rather than pretending to comply with human law and seeking to solve the dilemma through human methods, such as moving to an inner closet to pray in secret, he continued his daily habit of praying openly at his window toward Jerusalem. When Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, God turned that evil into good by protecting Daniel and, through the prophet’s witness, reached Darius and also inspired billions down through history. But if Daniel had tried to avoid the problem by using the wisdom of this world, and even while continuing to pray to the true God, prayed in his closet instead of openly, God could not have brought about the same good from those events.
  • Jehoshaphat was confronted with an enemy army descending upon Judah—evil was bearing down. But rather than do as the world does and gather his army to go to war, Jehoshaphat called the singers together and they praised Yahweh, trusting in God, who then brought good out of the evil, not only by destroying the enemy army, but also enriching Judah with the wealth of the invaders, and giving a testimony for the faithful down through history when we face enemy attacks.
  • Satan persecuted the early church through the agencies of both apostate Judaism and pagan Rome. But those faithful Christians, like Stephen, loved their enemies and trusted their lives to God—and rather than practicing the world’s methods to fight against their enemies, they blessed and forgave them instead. And because they did so, they advanced the gospel and good came out of the evil as souls were saved for eternity.

In my own life, as I was actively sharing this end-time message about God’s character of love, some church leaders opposed what I was teaching and sought to censor the message by using their influence to get my first book, Could It Be This Simple? A Biblical Model for Healing the Mind, dropped by the publisher. In 2010, because of the misguided actions of those leaders, the publisher indeed canceled my contract and returned the rights to me—and God has brought good out of their actions! Come And Reason Ministries began publishing the book, subsequently giving away tens of thousands of copies around the world. It also has since been developed into a prison ministries workbook and translated into Spanish, German, Portuguese, Croatian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Polish, Afrikaans, and Korean, reaching multitudes more than it would have had the publisher kept the rights.

Other leaders who disagreed with our message succeeded in having my Bible study class banned from my local church. This was distressing and hurtful, but instead of retaliating, we turned to God, and He led us to establish Come And Reason as a nonprofit ministry in 2010. We have subsequently reached hundreds of thousands of people around the world and have distribution hubs in Australia and South Africa, a weekly webcast, blogs, podcasts, free sharing materials, and more.

We serve the God of reality, a God who is love, and when we trust Him, He always brings good out of the evil that others try to inflict upon us—even if that good may not be known until Jesus comes again.

Trusting the Ways of the World

Conversely, when we don’t trust God but instead attempt to fix things using the wisdom of the world, we reap pain, suffering, heartache, and often death.

  • Adam and Eve, believing the lies of Satan, chose to break trust with God and attempted to advance themselves to become like God—and reaped pain, suffering, and death instead.
  • Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, rather than trusting God with their position and duties, sought to advance themselves into powerful political positions when they opposed Moses but ended up dying when the earth swallowed them up.
  • King Saul, rather than trusting God and following His directions, rebelled and sought counsel from a witch, and he ended up defeated, discouraged, depressed, hopeless, and dead by suicide.
  • Solomon, rather than trusting God with the security of the nation, sought to secure the nation through multiple human treaties that required marriage to multiple pagan wives, and he was corrupted to the point that he eventually worshiped false gods—and he even sacrificed one of his sons.
  • Two thousand years ago, Jewish leaders affirmed Abraham as their father, diligently studied Scripture, and claimed to be blessed by God, but instead of trusting God, they embraced and practiced the methods of this world and ended up rejecting and crucifying Jesus.
  • The millions throughout history who have called themselves Christian but, instead of trusting Jesus and practicing His methods, accepted the world’s ways, believed the lie that God’s law functions like human law, and broke trust with God by using the methods of this world to try to make things right. They went to war (crusades), persecuted those who believed differently (burned them at the stake), and sought to control governments to coerce consciences. Instead of becoming more like Jesus, they became more like His enemy.

The record of human history is clear: God brings good out of evil when we trust Him and apply His methods and principles to our lives. The trap of Satan is to get people to seek to do right, to do “justice,” to resolve conflict and problems, through using his methods and principles—but we can never win God’s cause by using Satan’s methods!

As the final events unfold upon planet Earth, we will all be faced with threats, fears, and injustice of all kinds, and we will be tempted to redress the wrong in our own strength by aligning with and using the powers of this fallen world. It is then that we must remember that God is the one who brings the good, but He is able to do this only as we trust Him.

So when you are tempted, go to Jesus. When you are hurting, go to Jesus. When you are angry, frustrated, and feeling pressure to strike out at those doing wrong, go to Jesus and invite Him into your heart, into your home, into your circumstance, and ask Him to act, lead, deliver, enlighten, direct, and bring about His will in every circumstance. Commit yourself to honoring God, practicing His methods, loving rather than hating, forgiving rather than retaliating, praying for those who mistreat you rather than seeking to punish them—to living God’s methods of truth, love, and freedom by trusting Him with setting things right, praising the beauty of holiness, and then open your eyes and watch the glory of our Creator as He steps into the situation to bring good out of evil!

 

Email me the blog whenever a new one is published.

Donate online, securely via PayPal using your credit or debit card (no PayPal account needed, unless you want to set up a monthly, recurring payment).


cancel recurring payment

 

Want to use zelle instead?
See how on our
Support and Donations page.

Upcoming Events

calendar

Testimonial Post Slider

Testimony 30

God lead me to your book “The God-Shaped Brain” while I was searching for another book about the brain and then to your interview about your book on HeartWise Ministries [where] I found out about [Come And Reason Ministries]. I’m now devouring the webcasts of your Bible studies. I have been so greatly blessed and I thank God so much for your courage to speak the Truth in love no matter what. Listening to you contrast the two opposing systems (laws) and digging deep to unearth the hidden treasures in the Bible makes me so incredibly happy and I feel very blessed to be part of your Bible Study Group although I live far away. I am just so excited that there is a group of people that is spreading the Truth about the character of God and it saddens me how few realize what our Father in Heaven is really like.

Kessy B., Australia

 

Testimony 17

The blessings of clarity and understanding you and your class inspire me to take from the word of God have impressed upon me so greatly the true, loving character of our Creator. I have found amazing freedom and joy through building a stronger, more intentional relationship with Him. What is new is that this is now a relationship built on love, reverence and respect rather than fear and obligation, and as such my eyes have been slammed OPEN as I am continually impressed by the manifestations of God’s true character in His provisions for fallen man.

T.E.H., Salt Lake City, UT, USA

 

Testimony 33

I was invited over a friend’s house to see the “God and Your Brain” seminar today. I became [a christian] 36 years ago at the age of 19, but have struggled with the concept of God taking His ‘pound of flesh’ out on His Son to be appeased. Wow. Your seminar has been an incredible revelation and breath of reason and fresh air! I have your book, “The God Shaped Brain,” and it is SO eye opening. Finally, after 36 years enlightenment has come! Praise the Good Lord! What can I say, but that the Real Gospel is truly “Good News!” Thank you for your efforts in giving the Gospel a clear sound!

Paul C.,  Springfield, MA, USA

 

Testimony 24

I wanted to thank you very much for presenting your understanding of God. I’ve always been troubled by this question: Why did Jesus have to die? Since my conversion I understood that The Father & Jesus are one, I did not have issues with that. But was there not any other way to save us than for Jesus to die? I guess I actually had a question about God – if He is so wise, how come He did not find another way? I did not see the real ‘beauty’  in the cross. Only when you explained the picture in the medical context, Jesus providing medicine for my selfishness, have I started to finally ‘see the light’. Thank you so much. Your seminar, “Healing the Mind,” are absolutely marvelous & have shared them with my family and many other people, including colleagues at work. Thanks, thanks, thanks. May God bless you abundantly in your ministry.

M. W., Australia

 

Testimony 12

I have been really blessed reading your response to the various questions on your site.

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 52

Your unique way in spreading the truth is what we all need today. Most of us don’t recognize the contamination coming from all the lies and selfishness in the world. Because of our fear of death, we forgot how to live. Lies left and right. I was losing hope and faith, because of so many ideas that are always contradicting each other – so many questions answered by other, more complicated, questions – until I found your channel on YouTube.

You did not just give me answers, you also taught me how to answer new questions that arise in my mind. Now I see things differently. I see God’s mercy, grace, and Love everywhere, in spite of all the chaos that we all have done as humans. I don’t fear death anymore. Accepting the Truth and Love about God is truly a genuine Freedom from all the confusions, sufferings, selfishness, pain, and death.

I just wanted to say, thank you, sooooo much for revealing the real Remedy for our infected life. I have a new hope and now see the world in a different perspective!

Wheinny P., University Place, WA, USA

 

Testimony 25

I just want to say thank you so much for your conversations via YouTube. I regularly tune in to your lectures, “Let’s Talk” sessions, and many others. Through these I’ve found greater depth and meaning to God’s word. Thanks for all that you do and please continue. I’m currently working in the middle of Silicon Valley at Stanford University. I feel like God really has me in the right place right now and I’m sensing that your teachings might be part of it.

B. F., Silicon Valley, CA, USA

 

Testimony 56

I cannot thank you enough for opening my understanding to the beautiful truth of God’s Law of Love and how it applies to everything. I have been a Christian for over forty years, but I feel like I am only now seeing with my eyes open. Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!

Tammy Cinzio, Australia

 

Testimony 45

I have been confused for years about what [christianity] calls [its] most disgusting teaching. It has never made much sense to me and for that reason has been evermore empty. I have listened to your class off and on and have struggled determining what is truth, because of the resistance design law encounters in the church. So, I thank God for your ministry. What you teach makes sense. It’s logical and backed up by the power of love. I have never seen that in Christ until now. I am astounded by the insight that is found when we look at God’s ministry through design law. All strength to this message, as I believe it to be the power of God.

Brendon S.

 

Testimony 51

I Love This Ministry!!!!!!! I see first hand how this message is desperately needed, how erroneous beliefs about God and His Character negatively affect humanity at every level. I thank God for your ministry, as I was searching on my own and was discovering some of your same beliefs and was blown away when I found your ministry. I know you hear it all the time, but it is truly life changing. May God continue to reveal His Will to you and Bless you!

Eric S., Sanford, FL, USA

 

Testimony 58

I have been watching your videos in The Power of Love seminar and I must say these have liberated me and have improved my relationship with the Lord. I am no longer terrified of him as I was before following your teachings.

Thando N., South Africa

 

Testimony 49

I came into the church at 21, but that is as far as it went. I was so confused about what love is. I couldn’t find it in the bible, because I am not a person that can read between the lines. I have no logic. I have read many, many books; trying to figure out the crux of the matter. They were helpful, but something was still missing. I have become very frustrated to the point of crying out to God, “Where can I go?”  I needed some basics.

I found two books, written by Timothy Jennings, MD, to be very helpful. God showed me that I had lived my whole life in fear. I didn’t even see it. Now, I do. God is so good.  I discovered the “The Remedy”  Dr. Jennings new book, “The God-Shaped Heart!” Oh, I was so excited, I purchased them right away.

I can get rid of most of my books, because “The Remedy” brings the Love of God out so clearly, even I can’t miss it. Now, I want to sit and read my Bible. Wow, what a revelation! It is just simply Awesome! I am so grateful to Jehovah Almighty for hearing my prayer for more understanding! I am so encouraged!

Jackie S.

 

Testimony 1

Thank you! I love listening to the Come And Reason Ministries Bible study classes and am using some of your notes to get the lessons together that I will be teaching. You always have such good quotes and Bible texts and pull things together to make good sense.

T. C., IN, USA

 

Testimony 42

I am just writing to say that I have been so blessed by the teachings of Come And Reason Minitries recently. I watched last week’s bible study lesson on Youtube and am thankful that the error in the printed lesson guide you use was pointed out and this week’s study was of equal benefit, if not more so. My understanding of God’s nature has been very confused of late and I am so grateful for clarity in this matter. I have never really fully understood previously how a good God can cause bad things to happen and now I realise that He doesn’t, it’s a natural consequence of sin. May the almighty Father and His Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, continue to bless your ministry.

Laura P., United Kingdom

 

Testimony 39

[This ministry is the] biggest blessing I have ever received! Your DVDs and lessons could not have come at a better time in my life. I have experienced in the past year many difficulties that, if it wasn’t for this wonderful view of God that I have discovered through this ministry, I would not have been able to respond in love and forgiveness. My heart is being transformed everyday by the Calvary-looking God you teach. Hallelujah!! I have tears in my eyes as I write, because my life has taken a complete turn from where I was heading.

I am from Central America. Most of my family is scattered in different parts of the world and all have the same view of God that I had growing up; a distant, exacting, and ready-to-punish-us-with-tragedy type of God. So, I have been translating lessons for my family and, to my surprise, they have also been sharing them with others! I can already see the difference. My brother has often said, “Thank you for sharing, I have never heard it this way!” My other family members are taking an amazing turn from a message of “repent or burn” towards a loving God, pleading to us that we won’t reject him because he loves us eternally.

Bless you for all you do.

Sofia S., Ashfield, MA, USA