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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!

 

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Testimony 60

Just watched watched lesson 10 in the 1st quarter 2021 bible study classs on Isaiah. I want to thank you for your intellectual spirituality; it’s not an oxymoron! From the point of view of a teacher I also enjoy seeing how much personal pleasure you clearly take in not just tasting, but feasting on God’s word – it reminds me of Jeremiah not being able to hold it in! It makes me smile that your cup is so full and overflowing that you make it to Tuesday’s lesson (on a good day). It just goes to show the richness of God’s Word.

God bless the Come and Reason Team from our church here in Great Britain.

Andrew H., Great Britain

 

Testimony 54

I had a lot of pressure, as a pastor’s kid, to conform and be “good.” I was good at being “good.” I thought my life was going along well until it all started falling apart and I could not figure out why! In my search for “why is this happening to me, God?” I came across your book, “Could it be this Simple,” and God started revealing to me the many distortions I held about His character, His principles, and how He has designed His universe to operate. I remember thinking, “Wow, I have had this all backwards.” I was happy and angry all at the same time. Happy to have the light of truth break through the darkness, revealing a wonderful, beautiful way of understanding God and His plan for His children, and angry, because I felt deceived and cheated by the church, my family, and myself!

My heart thrills when I listen to your bible study lessons. Literally I have gone from death to life. It is a journey I look forward to every day, as God reveals areas this distortion affects. Praise GOD! I will ever be grateful to God for this ministry and your cooperation with the Spirit!

Karen S., Portal, AZ, USA

 

Testimony 40

I was brought up in a different faith and have been petrified my whole life of God. I believed that I would burn in hell for eternity. When I was 12 I started pursuing the things of this world, but for the next 45 years the Spirit was always calling me, as I knew there was a God through nature. I could see the vast sea of stars in the universe and knew there was something bigger out there. Five years ago, through a Revelation seminar, I was blessed to learn about God’s character and government.

Then I found Come and Reason Ministries and have come under some extreme pressure when I speak about the ministry. One time a member sent me an internet article titled “Whats wrong with Tim Jennings?” I asked her what she thought of it and she said “I don’t know, I didn’t read it.”

I have always wanted to find out for myself the truth about God, so I stayed with the Design Law construct and have been liberated to understand the big picture. Once we consider Design Law, all other Bible stories and prophecies seem to fit perfectly. It is truly beautiful to see people grasping how God operates this Universe of Love and the liberation it has provided in their lives. It blows my mind to see how consistent Design law is with what our founders believed. I hear statements like “This makes so much sense.”

Tom W., Mt. Pleasant, MI, USA

 

Testimony 72

I am blown away by the truth that you present. God’s Design Law makes so much sense! You have validated my impression that, if God is love, He would not kill those who don’t want to know him. If God gives us choice, then how can He destroy us if our choice is not to follow him. Thank you for opening my eyes and heart to the pure love of God seen through Jesus. The love I now have for Jesus is deeper and free from condemnation. My heart has been opened to love others as Jesus loves me. May God continue to bless your God-given insight into His word and your ministry. The truth has set me free!

H. Miller, Centereach, NY

Testimony 46

Over the past couple of years God has been expanding my view of Himself and His character. Along my approximately 40-year journey, I have often had questions, but was hesitant to voice these and step outside the traditionally accepted thinking, for fear of admitting that I may in fact be eternally lost. In the recesses of my thinking has been the thought – if one blindly accepts (which is widely regarded as “real faith”) and does not question, is this really ‘truth?’ I often find it challenging to grapple with very theological ‘speak,’ but Dr. Jennings has a real gift of explaining spiritual concepts with clear practical examples. The weekly discussions are growing my Christian experience and slowly changing my view of how to live as a child of God in today’s complex world. Finally the whole Old Testament sanctuary teaching moved in my mind from fantasy to reality!

Beverly S., South Africa

 

Testimony 64

I’ve been reading the bible and walking with Jesus since I was around 16. I’m 42 now. I’ve mostly been alone in my walk although I went to several churches in different denominations. For the past 3 years God has been showing me His character of agape. It’s been a blessing and changed how I view God and my walk with Jesus. About a year ago I came across the power of love and the principles of design law. These teachings changed how I read scripture and have been such a beautiful blessing. I’m very excited and grateful for these truths. We share these truths of agape, design law and the reality of the principles of the two trees in the garden of Eden with people on Facebook and YouTube. People all over are learning to trust God and His agape design law which makes life possible. Thank you for everything you shared with me. May God continue to bless your ministry and lives.

Bradley M., Hinsdale, NY, USA

 

Testimony 57

You have helped make sense of thirty two years of confusion. The material you freely provide reorganized so much of my life into such a beautiful pattern that has always been hinted at from within, but misguided with my training and what I was experiencing externally. My filipno parents, who were converted from Catholicism to SDA, were sincere and did their best to raise me the right way and I have deep respect for them. However, being immigrants and not understanding the language made for a difficult transition as I was growing up, which also applied to my spiritual growth as I learned the patterns of religion. I have been listening to as many bible study classes and reading blog posts as my time in a work truck will allow, searching for the practical applications of where spirituality and reality meet, and I thank you for helping me find that. You have helped me reach a point in which I can truly say that I love God, that I believe He loves me, and, like David, I delight in His law. God bless.

Emmanuel V., Calgary, AB Canada

Testimony 12

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

K.C., OH, USA

 

Testimony 63

I’ve been very blessed by “The God Shaped Brain” and this ministry, through video and podcast, over the last few years. It’s truly opened up my eyes more to the truth about God and the importance of that truth in the present world. The message is so inviting, freeing and enlightening and MORE people need to know about it. I believe it is the last message that can truly, not only prepare a people for salvation and translation, but vindicate the character of God.

Michael V., Yonkers, NY, USA

 

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 31

It was very touching to hear the testimony of your class share how viewing God’s true character has changed their lives. My feelings are the same – there is so much freedom in knowing that God LOVES me – regardless of my… just, REGARDLESS! I’m still blown away by the true gospel, the fact that God is not ready to strike us when we fail. He is not arbitrary. He simply loves us and warns of the natural consequences because He can’t stand to see us suffer. I AM IN LOVE WITH THIS GOD!!!

Ceil V.,  UT, USA

 

Testimony 28

I have been following your Bible study class for about a year now. I must say I am impressed with how your ministry has grown. I took it upon myself to listen to all your lesson podcasts from the past and they have both enriched me physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. I have learnt a lot from this class. I have also noticed how the class has grown in spiritual strength. One of the things that benefited me is that now I am not afraid of God. I use to be, but now it has melted away. The second thing is that you helped me to have a real life relationship with God. Now He is my friend that was always there and I love having him with me all the time. Thirdly, because of this class, it inspired me to take over and lead a class. I have called it “Let Us Reason Together,” adapting your inquisitive style and creating a class of free thinkers.

T. Banda, Malawi, Africa

 

Testimony 21

I am absolutly on fire with the message at Come and Reason! I can’t get enough! I’ve read your book, blog, and articles. I’ve listened to your Bible study podcasts, your radio show, and your series – all excellent! It wasn’t until the past couple of years that I have I like I’m becoming “healthy,” with more to share with others than just beasts and commandments! I used to be a Bible worker and preached when the pastors were gone until I had had enough. I didnt realize at the time what the problem was, but i know now… the message wasn’t properly focused. Now my flame is rekindled. All of your little examples are so perfect in explaining something “complicated” and making it easily understood! Now I’m trying to shape it into a life changing evangelistic series! Thank you!

M.T., USA

 

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

 

Testimony 19

I truly believe that to know who God really is the first step to understand ourselves in a balanced and kind way, so the healing can take place. Your approach really makes sense – Thank you for your ministry!

A.M., Pittsburg, PA, USA