EVIL RECRUITMENT!

Ephesians 5:11 AMPC

Take no part in and have no fellowship with the fruitless deeds and enterprises of darkness, but instead [let your lives be so in contrast as to] expose and reprove and convict them.

 

From Genesis to Revelation, the Bible consistently calls God’s people to refuse participation in evil, no matter how subtle or forceful the recruitment may be. To resist is to honour God, protect one’s soul, and shine as a light in a dark world. 

Evil recruitment refers to the process by which individuals or groups persuade, entice, or manipulate others to join in carrying out harmful, immoral, or malevolent actions or activities. This term is most often used in fictional, criminal, cult, or extremist contexts, but can also apply to real-world scenarios where people are drawn into, malicious situations or conflicts, unethical organizations, dark spiritual practices, or networks with destructive agendas.

At some point in life, we’ve all experienced that scenario where you are either expected or told to not speak to or associate with others because your friend, family or co-workers don’t get on with them. This is what I call “evil recruitment”! It refers to the process by which individuals or organizations actively seek out and entice people to join, support, or carry out social, relational, harmful, immoral, or malicious actions.  Apostle Paul warns of this in 1 Corinthians 15:33, that aligning with those who practice evil can draw us into their path. 

True wisdom according to Proverbs 3:7 is not compromised but separation from wickedness. Even when authorities or peers push us toward wrongdoing, loyalty to God must take precedence as seen in Acts 5:29. We must always choose God’s will over human pressure: “We must obey God rather than men”

Quarrels often arise from foolish controversies, ignorance, or unresolved passions within a person as stated in 2 Timothy 2:23-24 and James 4:1-2. Why become an opponent with someone who hasn’t offended you just because they have issues with your person? Stand apart from wicked works: “Take no part in the unfruitful works of darkness but instead expose them”. 

Proverbs 30:3 advises us to avoid strife and that a fool is quick to quarrel, emphasizing that it is honourable to keep away from conflicts. Yet so many people have been caught as pigs in the middle of something they know nothing about, they involve themselves in strife that has no beginning with them but might have an ending with them.

Discernment is key in every relationship. We must recognize when an invitation, opportunity, or alliance is rooted in evil, even if it looks appealing or supportive of our relationships. If we lack it, we can easily be caught in something that becomes generational as we see in Genesis 37 — Joseph's brothers’ malice toward him and their generations after them.

Quarrels start small but can escalate quickly, like a dam breaking, so wisdom is to resolve or avoid disputes early according to Proverbs 17:14. You didn’t quarrel with someone, but you don’t talk with them because they have a quarrel with your friend. So, what happens when they settle their dispute? It then ends in malice, unfounded malice because it has no base. There are warnings against meddling in quarrels that are not one's own and against stirring up dissension, see Proverbs 26:17; Titus 3:9-11.

For malice and quarrelling, Ephesians 4:31 commands believers to "put away all bitterness, anger, wrath, clamour, and slander, along with all malice." 1 Peter 2:1 similarly urges to "rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander". Malice is caused by something between people. Why then do we sometimes allow ourselves to be recruited for evil over something has probably has nothing to do with us.

We must be courageous people! We must courageously refuse participating in things that don’t concern us and glorify the Lord or edify others because evil may bring ridicule, loss, or persecution, but God honours those who stand firm.  Refusing to be recruited to back such thing, is not just personal protection—it testifies to others that God’s way is higher. 

Allowing yourself to be recruited for evil damages relationships, creates tension, harms the unity of faith communities, and is a sign of underlying sin like covetousness or selfish desires according to Galatians 5:15 and James 4:1-2.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS

-      In what ways might I have unknowingly participated in “evil recruitment” by supporting gossip, division, or malice?

-      How can I courageously stand for righteousness even when it means standing alone?

-      What steps can I take to ensure I am not a vessel for strife, but a peacemaker in my family, church, or workplace?

-      Have I allowed bitterness or malice to take root in my heart because of someone else’s offense?

PRAYER: Father, I ask for discernment to recognize every form of evil recruitment, no matter how subtle it may appear. Strengthen me to stand firm in righteousness and not be swayed by the opinions or offenses of others. Use me to bring healing, unity, and peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

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