Knowing What's Going On | Good vs Bad

Imagine this scenario. I’m driving to fellowship. Wade Ave. Someone, out of nowhere, cuts in front of me... I swerve, and I smash into a telephone pole. Nobody's hurt, but my truck is totaled. 

Many people (not everyone)... might do one of two things. Either they get totally upset at the other driver and walk into fellowship pissed off... OR they think, "Why would God do this to me?"

Neither one is the right decision. In that situation, the best thing to do is to understand what's actually happening. In life, there’s good stuff. And there's bad stuff.

Good things happen... and we barely take notice. Bad things happen and we freak out and blame people.

The difference… between knowing the good vs. bad… is spiritual knowledge.

We, as born-again believers, should know what's actually going on in life situations. What's good and why. What's bad and what’s behind it.

That's what I'd like to talk about in the next few minutes. Take a look at 1 Thessalonians 5.

Give Thanks for the Good

We ought to give thanks to God for the good in our lives.

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Be thankful "in everything." And that's God's will for us. In everything. Now watch how thankfulness (in everything) connects to peace. Turn to Philippians 4.

Philippians 4:6-7

Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

"Careful" there just means anxious. Don't be anxious about anything... but in everything... prayer and supplication (real asking with a need) plus thanksgiving. Pray - talk to God. And peace will guard our hearts and minds. So, we have: in everything, prayer, thankfulness, hearts and minds, and peace. 

Paul connects these same dots, again, in Colossians. Turn to Colossians 3.

Colossians 3:15-17

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts... and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly... And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We can let peace rule in our hearts and minds. Let the Word live in us richly. And whatever we say or do, in everything, we give thanks.

We can notice the good stuff in life… that God has given us, and be thankful.

Know Who's Doing the Bad

Now, life isn't just… good stuff to be thankful for. Jesus told us, a long time ago, exactly what to expect in life.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.

Jesus says, "Life has challenges." Tribulation. Telephone poles. We were told way ahead of time — problems ARE a part of life in this world. BUT… it's NOT a sign… something's wrong with you or God doesn’t love you.

So, what is it then?

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

Jesus is saying here… there's a thief. And it wants to steal, kill, and destroy. Who's he talking about? God? No — that's what religion teaches. 

What does the Word say? If God does all good things AND bad things, then what's a Devil to do?

The Word says: Jesus came to give life, more abundant life. The Devil, Satan, our adversary, is a thief. Roaming around. Trying to steal from you. Kill what’s living. Destroy everything good.

Two totally different things. God. Devil. Good. Bad. Giver. Thief. Light. Darkness. Steelers. Ravens.

Turn to Romans 8.

Romans 8:28

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.

This verse does NOT say God causes everything - good and bad. Read the verse. It says God works everything together for good. God didn't put bad stuff in my life. He's the one… putting everything back together… working for good in my life. That’s what it says.

If I’m driving to fellowship, and someone cuts me off, and forces me into the ditch... Thank God nobody got hurt. Acknowledge — that wasn't God. That was the enemy throwing static at me, trying to rattle me. ONCE I KNOW… who's actually behind the bad stuff, things get really clear. 

I got taught how to actually read the Bible for what it says. And I learned something that changed everything for me. And here it is: Bad stuff is NOT from God. God is the Source of good. God does not use hardships or difficulties to tempt, test, or try me. When I understood what the Word actually said, I realized — God is always good. He's the Source of all good, and His intent… toward us… is always good.

James 1:13

Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he [God] any man.

The verse says: God can't be tempted with evil, and He tempts no man. Read it again. Does God tempt people sometimes to build character? Nope. Let no man say that he’s tempted by God. That’s what the Word says. 

How subtle… how cunning… the adversary is… when he can get people… to actually be thankful for… and assign blame to… God… for terrible things that happen in their lives! What a trick from the adversary! 

1 John 1:5

This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

God is light, and God is good always. There’s no darkness in God.

1 Corinthians 10:13

There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.

There are challenges in life. There shall be tribulations. God knows that. The verse says… my situation isn't new to God (“it’s is common to man”). And he is faithful… to not only… limit or cap the problem (to what I am able to handle), but he’ll also provide a way out. I will not suffer. 

Example, I run my truck in a ditch, I can handle this, and I know a way out, this is a common thing, I’m not suffering, God is faithful and with me in every situation. I can do all things. I have no fear. I have power, love, and a sound mind. 

In everything, what I say and do, prayer, thankfulness, guard my heart and mind, I am able, there’s a solution, I will not suffer, God is faithful, I believe, I can do all things. That’s what runs… through our minds.

Not Ignorant of His Devices

So, I think we’ve established that God is NOT the source of the bad. But that doesn’t mean… we ignore the bad, or pretend it's not real. We're supposed to know what's actually going on. Turn to 2 Corinthians 2.

2 Corinthians 2:11

Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

We’re not ignorant of Satan’s devices. His ways or his doings. Paul's saying — we know how he operates… so we don’t get taken advantage of. We know what's going on.

1 Peter 5:8

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.

A roaring lion. Walking about. That's what we're actually dealing with. And the power of death itself belongs to him.

Hebrews 2:14 (KJV):

Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil.

What To Do In Tribulation

So the real question is NOT, “Why did this happen?" It is "what can I do about it?" And the answer starts… in our minds.

Romans 16:19-20

I wish you to be wise, indeed, as to the good, and harmless as to the evil; and the God of peace shall bruise the Adversary under your feet quickly.

Be wise about the good. Be harmless (simple, untangled) about evil. And the God of peace will crush your adversary under your feet. Right now. That's what the verse says. Know the good, know the bad, and know who ultimately wins.

Romans 12:2

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

God’s good, acceptable, perfect will… What is it exactly? Go back to 1 Thessalonians 5. Paul already told us, plain as day. 

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing, give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Rejoice. Pray. Give thanks in everything. 

Also, we should study the Word. So that we can learn how to think. And live.

Galatians 5:16, 22-23

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh... But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

That's fruit. It's what happens… naturally… when you're walking by the spirit, right in the middle of whatever you're going through. Fruit. 

And walking in the spirit means… using everything God's already given you. 

1 Corinthians 12:8-10

For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit. To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit. To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues.

Word of knowledge and word of wisdom: You can see a situation… in the way God sees it. 

Discerning of spirits: You can know what you're really dealing with. 

Tongues, interpretation, and prophecy: You talk to God, and pray, build yourself spiritually, and speak beyond your own understanding. 

Faith, healing, and miracles: You impact the world powerfully in real moments. 

That verse is not just a list of information to remember. 

Those are your tools, in your tool box… for your life. And every born-again believer with holy spirit within has the ability to operate all of them - all 9 manifestations. 

So when tribulation shows up, you know who you are, what you’ve got, and how to use it. 

Summary

In summary, believers should know what's actually going on. We give thanks for the good, because we know exactly where it came from. We know who's behind the bad. God does NOT tempt, test, or try anyone — that's not His nature, and it's not what the Word says. And when tribulation shows up, we already know what to do. We renew our mind to the Word. We have a life led by the spirit. And everything God's given us, we’re ready to use it. 

You’re the best. God bless you.