BOLD LOVE

Session 5

LOVING AN EVIL PERSON

Discussion / Handout

BIG IDEA

SIEGE WARFARE

Review

Lesson 1 – Big Idea – Sin blocks us from loving well

(Mark 7:21-22)

Lesson 2 – Big Idea – Bold love remains engaged; it does not attack or withdraw.

(Heb 12:15, 1 Peter 3:9)

Lesson 3 – Big Idea – Bold love means, "being silenced", that is, first seeing my sin.

(Prov 27:6, 12:15, 10:17 LB)

Lesson 4 – Big Idea – Bold love is hating what God hates (sin) and loving what God

loves (goodness)

(Hebrews 1:9)

 

Lesson 5 – Loving an evil person requires "Siege Warfare"

Labeling people is dangerous. Because every person is unique, labels always oversimplify and often stereotype. Nonetheless, labels can be helpful. There are certain things some people have in common and set them apart from others.

The book of Proverbs labels certain types of people who have predictable attitudes and action. It speaks of the wicked, mockers, the foolish and the simple. These categories turn out to give us insight into a person’s heart and to suggest appropriate ways of dealing with him or her.

How would you describe Charlie from the past sessions? Charlie is evil, but he is no comic book villain. If you asked people in his church or business community, they would say he is a respected member in good standing. They would be a little afraid of him, but they wouldn’t say so and they certainly wouldn’t call him evil.

 

 

 

 

 

Two very important principles we must remember before proceeding with this session.

  1. We are not exempt from evil inclinations

Psalm 141:3-4 – Whose hearts are prone to evil? All our hearts.

Exo 32:22 – How are people "in general" described? Prone to evil.

Prov 30:32 – The author correctly concludes that we are all, including Christians,

capable of moving towards evil (Rom 12:15)

2. Evil can hide behind righteous behavior

Matt 7:15 – We all know that evil can hide behind "spirituality."

Here, Jesus talks about religious leaders.

Matt 7:23 – What does Jesus call them? Evildoers (NIV)

 

RUN TAPE

How did you feel as you watched Charlie? What did you feel like doing to him?

What are the characteristics that Dan Allender says are of an evil person?

How do you think Charlie would respond if Buck called attention to the "black widow routine" and warned his Dad that he would leave?

WHAT IS SIEGE WARFARE?

How would you describe it? It is giving the person the:

Rom 12:9, 1 Thess 5:22

2 Timothy 2:25-26, Rom 2:4

2 Thess 3:14-15, 2 Cor 2:6-8

  

Cutting off relationships should not occur rashly, in a moment of anger, nor quickly

after a few interactions with an evil person. W e also need to understand that cutting

off someone should be done only after significant time spent in prayer and God’s Word, and consultation with older and wiser believers.

The goal of excommunication is restoration! (1 Cor 5:5, 2 Cor 2:6-9).

  

The task of loving an evil person requires (as it does in all cases)

supernatural intervention.

The battle is not yours, it is the Lord’s!

2 Chronicles 20:15

The real enemy is Satan and "not" the person

Ephesians 6:12

The only motivation strong enough to propel you to fight this war

is an unquenchable desire to know the mighty God

who changed your heart and can change the evil person’s as well.

Jeremiah 9:23-24, Ezekil 36:26-27

 

Application

  1. What would be hard for you in taking on someone like Charlie?
  2. How well do you handle intimidation?
  3. Do you think you know any evil people? Explain
  4. Is there something you are unwilling to lose that holds you back from dealing with that person? Explain.
  5. Prayer time – Talk to God about a situation or a person you are struggling with. Ask him for His wisdom, his grace and perseverance in dealing with an evil person. Remember that we need God’s Spirit to effect any change in our life and in another person’s life.