Title
The Lesser of Two Evils
Scripture
Do not think in your heart... "Because of my righteousness the Lord has brought me in to possess this land"; but it is because of the wickedness of these nations that the Lord is driving them out from before you.
(Deuteronomy 9:4)
Devotional
More than often it is the lesser of two evils that is the victor. Whether in war or life's dealings, success is not necessarily an indication of righteousness as much as it is an indication of wickedness. Let us therefore not be quick to boast in the defeating of an opponent, thinking that our victory is due to our goodness. The Bible is clear, "There is none who does good, no, not one."[33] Even the growth of a church is not automatically an indication of the righteousness of the people as much as it may be an indication of the wickedness of the community. Tolerance to a decadent society may appear to be a great act of righteousness, when in reality it does little more than mask the immorality it tolerates. If we measure our success or achievements by the failures of others we err. Let us not think in our hearts that it is because of our goodness; it is the goodness of a benevolent God.