The word “evil” appears in the bible 613 times out of 569 verses. Strong’s concordance has associated 19 Hebrew words and 23 Greek ones with the word evil. Whether evil in speech, thought or other remote connection (detailed in the vocal version). I am sure we all have a concept of what or who is evil and the source of such evil; but we shall scripturely examine our concept. Are we evil or not? Gen 2:9 And out of the ground made Yahweh God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil (H7451). From this sentence it may be said that the devil, satan, deceiver, the serpent did not introduce evil into the world. God did. In the form of knowledge via a tree. Was the tree evil or was the tree a means of identifying evil? Later we shall see. Bear in mind Exo 20:20 “And Moses said unto the people, Fear not: for God is come to prove you, and that his fear may be before your faces, that ye sin not”. Also why did God direct satan to Job? We may say that the 1/3 of angels who sided with satan were evil and those who did not were good. Jer 10:3 For the customs of the people are vain: for one cuts a tree out of the forest, the work of the hands of the workman, with the axe.

Jer 10:4  They deck it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers, that it move not. Jer 10:5  They are upright as the palm tree, but speak not: they must needs be borne, because they cannot go. Be not afraid of them; for they cannot do evil, neither also is it in them to do good.   This verse tells us that innate things, or at least trees, cannot do good nor evil.  They are lifeless. Whether stone or wood monuments as the oblisk, they cannot hear, see nor speak.  Thus cannot be god’s in the sense of not having wisdom, reasoning or ability.  However, they do represent another belief and the choice between that belief and one of Yahweh the true God is the danger.  It was probably for that reason God had Gideon tare down such monuments.  So the tree in the garden was not itself evil. 

Gen 6:5  And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.  Here we are told evil comes from within ones heart; his imagination.  Yahshua said the same in Mat 15:18  But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man. Mat 15:19  For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:

Mat 7:11  If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Luk 6:45  A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil: for of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaketh.  So being evil is not limited to one’s physical actions but also thoughts of the heart and speech.

Gen 8:21  And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done.  Note the imagination or evil does not start from their birth; but from his youth.  Yet the youth, those under 20 years, were not punished when it came to being killed in the wilderness!  Deu 1:39  Moreover your little ones, which ye said should be a prey, and your children, which in that day had no knowledge between good and evil, they shall go in thither, and unto them will I give it, and they shall possess it.  God said the children had no knowledge of good and evil.  The tree in the garden was one of knowledge of good and evil and the children are said not to have had this knowledge.  Is it because their knowledge comes from their parents as ours come from our heavenly Father, God? 

Gen 19:19  Behold now, thy servant hath found grace in thy sight, and thou hast magnified thy mercy, which thou hast shewed unto me in saving my life; and I cannot escape to the mountain, lest some evil take me, and I die:  Evil kills and we were told innate things cannot do evil.  So the evil of which Lot spoke would have come from someone or thing with life.  With blood as Deu 12:23 tells us life is within the blood.   

Gen 50:20  But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.  Joseph speaking to his brothers in Egypt after they threw him into the pit and then sold him into slavery. 

I shall group some sample quotes of verses speaking of evil; before commenting on them.

Exo 23:2  Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil; neither shalt thou speak in a cause to decline after many to wrest judgment:  Exo 32:14  And the LORD repented of the evil which he thought to do unto his people.  Num 20:5  And wherefore have ye made us to come up out of Egypt, to bring us in unto this evil place? it is no place of seed, or of figs, or of vines, or of pomegranates; neither is there any water to drink.  Num 32:13  And the LORD'S anger was kindled against Israel, and he made them wander in the wilderness forty years, until all the generation, that had done evil in the sight of the LORD, was consumed.  Remember speech can be evil.  Ex 23:2 says speaking out in a way that prevents justice being done, i.e. a false witness is also evil. Most times we focus the big evils as do not murder, steal, etc.  We forget or are not taught that breaking the other instructions of God is evil.  For example God says he would rather have justice than sacrifice.  That we are to put evil away from the camp, which includes punishing evil persons.  Prior to administering that punishment is the justice process which includes taking one or two witnesses against the person (Mat 18:16).  So if we are asked to be a witness against a wrong doer and we refuse are we not assisting in the evil going unpunished, remaining in the camp?  Our refusal could be our evil.  About 15 times in the bible we are instructed to put evil away from the congregation.  

Deu 4:25  When thou shalt beget children, and children's children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of anything, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger:  Deu 22:22  If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel.  2Sa 12:9  Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the LORD, to do evil in his sight? thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 1Ki 16:19  For his sins which he sinned in doing evil in the sight of the LORD, in walking in the way of Jeroboam, and in his sin which he did, to make Israel to sin.   Corrupting oneself, whether that corruption came via former generations i.e. making of graven images, worshipping on pagan god days or other actions, they are evil in the sight of Yahweh. 

2Ch 12:14  And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek Yahweh.  We are told what it is and how to seek the Yahweh i.e. 2Ch 14:4  And commanded Judah to seek Yahweh God of their fathers, and to do the law and the commandment.   Remember the definition of sin is transgression of the law or commandments of God. These instructions are found in the commandments of God so it would appear to do what God said not to do i.e. break His commandments, is evil.   

Deu 7:15  And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.  Deu 30:15  See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; Jdg 2:15  Whithersoever they went out, the hand of the LORD was against them for evil, as the LORD had said, and as the LORD had sworn unto them: and they were greatly distressed. 2Sa 12:11  Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbour, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun.  2Sa 24:16  And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the LORD was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite.  2Ki 21:12  Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle.  2Ch 34:24  Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: 2Ch 34:25  Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched.   

Here the word evil is used in terms of the consequences of breaking God’s law.  Those consequences were contained within the law similarly to prescribed punishments are set with our judicial system for categories of law breaking.  The punishment is meant to put evil or its perpetrator away from society to protect society and hopefully reform the perpetrator.  God’s actions are for the same purpose to achieve a sinless congregation.  So it also appears when we break God’s commandments we subject ourselves to receiving evil or God rather than of satn. 

Deu 13:5  And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.  Deu 31:29  For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.   Deu 17:3  And hath gone and served other gods, and worshipped them, either the sun, or moon, or any of the host of heaven, which I have not commanded; …  Deu 17:7  The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.   Anyone who tells you to go against God is evil.  Does that not make preachers who say we are not to keep all the laws of God, evil?  Performing evil, transgressing God’s laws, brings more evil.  This time from God.  It may not be in this lifetime; but the next as the second death.  So those preaching we are not under God’s law are not blessing followers but setting them up for the curses of God.  The majority of preachers teach what was originally worship of the sun, Sunday services system is nolonger that; but a replacement of God’s seventh day Sabbath. 

1Sa 15:19  Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of the LORD, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of the LORD? 1Sa 16:14  But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.  This is not in the commandments; but a specific one to king Saul, yet called evil as is breaking the commandments given through Moses.  Shows breaking any commandment of God is evil. 

Mal 1:8  And if ye offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil? and if ye offer the lame and sick, is it not evil? offer it now unto thy governor; will he be pleased with thee, or accept thy person? saith the LORD of hosts.  People think they can offer God substitute offerings, days etc.  As Mal 1:8 says, try offering a substitute time to earthly authorities and see if they accept it.  Turn up for a court hearing on the wrong day, to see the queen, or even a simple job interview or to catch plane. 

Now we have identified what is evil and its source let us see how that affects our connection to Yahweh God. 

Evil cannot reside with God.

Psa 5:4  For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Psa 34:16  The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.  Pro 11:19  As righteousness tends (or leads) to life: so he that pursues evil pursues it to his own death.  Pro 15:3  The eyes of the LORD are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.

It is clear, evil and its perpetrator cannot reside with God.  Meaning they do not get His promised life; but death.  Neither can we hide evil from God. His eyes are in every place not only to observe our evil; but gladly our good. 

1Pe 3:11  Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. 1Pe 3:12  For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.  3Jn 1:11  Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.

It is easier said than done.  Simply resist evil temptation of thoughts, actions or speech.  Remember evil comes from ones heart.  We are told to renew our minds into one of good thoughts towards God and brethren.  Suppression is not avoiding evil as it comes from within.  Many think if they do not say it or phrase replies in an ambiguous way they are not being evil.  Wrong.

How to overcome evil of God, self or others.

Pro 16:6  By mercy and truth iniquity is purged: and by the fear of the LORD men depart from evil.

2Ch 20:9  If, when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, (for thy name is in this house,) and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help.

2Ch 29:6  For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.    Remember one of the associated words was to turn away or turn back, not necessarily to the starting point of being completely sinless; but at least heading there.

Eze 33:11  Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel?  Eze 33:12  Therefore, thou son of man, say unto the children of thy people, The righteousness of the righteous shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression: as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall thereby in the day that he turns from his wickedness; neither shall the righteous be able to live for his righteousness in the day that he sinneth. Eze 33:13  When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live; if he trust to his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousnesses shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it. Eze 33:14  Again, when I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; if he turn from his sin, and do that which is lawful and right;… he shall surely live, he shall not die.  

Jonah 3:8  But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Jon 3:9  Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? Jon 3:10  And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. 

In Eze we have God saying if an individual turns away from their wrong doing and does right, they will live.  In Jonah we have that principle being followed by a whole city, Nineveh, and they saved their lives.

 Pro 16:17  The highway of the upright is to depart from evil: he that keeps his way preserves his soul.

Jer 18:10  If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.  Jer 26:13  Therefore now amend your ways and your doings, and obey the voice of the LORD your God; and the LORD will repent him of the evil that he hath pronounced against you. Jer 29:11  For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.   Spoken in reference to Judah; but it shows the character of God to those who obey him.  Individuals or nations as Nineveh in book of Jonah.  God has no pleasure in punishing his created children; but he has to protect the innocent and preserve a sinless world.  If you could only understand and feel the pain we cause when we sin.  Also His love in sending His son to pay for our sins.  The innocent paying for the guilty. 

Mat 5:37  But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil.    Remember speech can be evil.  Give a straight answer not say i.e. “I did not say that” when you have given an ambiguous answer to your brethren not i.e to legal matter hearings]. 

Mar 7:21  For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, Mar 7:22  Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness:  Mar 7:23  All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.  Just like in the Old Testament we found evil was breaking God’s law, here in the New we find the same criteria.  Mat 15:19 adds false witness and Rom 1:29  adds others.  It says Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Rom 1:30  Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Rom 1:31  Without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Rom 1:32  Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them. 

In Mat 7:22 pride and foolishness is included.  Above we saw evil take the form of being a false witness or refusing to be a witness against evil.  Here it is of pride and foolishness.  So if your pride causes you to refuse help.  Help that could prevent you getting into a position whereby your thoughts consider breaking God’s law or your foolishness to believe a deceit, it is evil.

Mar 3:4  And he saith unto them, Is it lawful to do good on the sabbath days, or to do evil? to save life, or to kill? But they held their peace.  Yahshua tells us we are to do GOOD on the Sabbath days.  Sin is not good and those performing sin are not doing good.  Sin is transgression of the law (1Jhn 3:4).  The law says we are not to work nor do our own pleasure, speak our own words, use the day for ourselves (Isaiah 58:13).  Thus anyone who breaks the Sabbath keeping law is being and doing evil.  The result of which is Mat 7:23. 

Eph 6:13  Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Eph 6:14  Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; Eph 6:15  And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Eph 6:16  Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. Eph 6:17  And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 

Sometimes we think the teachings of the New Testament were thoughts of those writers without knowing they were actually quoting from the Old.  Learn follow the Old Testament Laws for the answer of how to please Yahweh God. 

God rewards those who are not evil. 

Psa 23:4  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Psa 91:9  Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation; Psa 91:10  There shall no evil befall thee, neither shall any plague come nigh thy dwelling. Psa 91:11  For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. Psa 91:12  They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. [Quoted by satn to Yahshua]. 

Psa 121:7  The LORD shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul. Psa 121:8  The LORD shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore.

Ecc 8:5  Whoso keepeth the commandment shall feel no evil thing: and a wise man's heart discerneth both time and judgment.

Isa 57:1  The righteous perish and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come.   Isa 57:2  He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. 

God protects the righteous, the keepers of His commandments and takes them away from His evil to come.  He did it with Noah, Lot, Elijah, Daniel and others.  In Daniel’s case  he and others were saved from the sword, pestilence and famine prophesied in Jerimiah.  The result of that prophecy is written in the book of Lamentations.  People eating their own family in other places famine caused them to eat their own dung and drink their own piss.  There is yet worst come in the future judgment of God on the world.  As I said above, the majority of preachers teach what was originally worship of the sun and other man made gods is nolonger that.  They also say ones idols is not the idols of the host of heaven; but one’s car or possessions.  Again detracting people’s minds from the real idol worship they are doing.  From days of worship to material possessions.  They have corrupted the system of God with replacements.  They may have a lot of truth as the love of God, the sacrifice of His son etc; so that makes their system corrupted rather than 100% false.  However what does the bible say about what comes from corruption Mat 7:17  Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.  Mat 7:18  A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Mat 7:19  Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Mat 7:20  Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Mat 7:21  Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Mat 7:22  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? Mat 7:23  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

Rom 12:9  Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Joh 5:29  And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.  1Th 5:21  Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.  1Th 5:22  Abstain from all appearance of evil. 

Their preaching and teaching is not leading to a change in listeners’ actions whereby God will take them away from His evil to come; but sending them headlong into it.  This is not because they came from a totally false system; but a corrupted one.  A system that may have had many things right; but corrupted theology none the less.  Sadly as a result, their members did not get the reward for which they lived and sacrificed.  They were told by Yahshua they committed iniquity.  

Mat 12:38  Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee. Mat 12:39  But he answered and said unto them, An evil and adulterous generation seek after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas:

Mat 12:40  For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. 

Many people judge whether the Holy spirit or Spirit of God is in a church by seeking the sign of speaking in tongues, lively music etc.  I cannot recall any congregation held by Yahshua having these things.  He said the sign is one of Jonah being in the earth three days and three nights.  That to me says at least one sign should be that that congregation teaches that 3pm Good Friday (sixth day of the week) to 6a.m Sunday (1^st day of the week) is not three days and nights and so do not celebrate those times of Good Friday, Easter Sunday nor a Sunday worship system which is based on Yahshua apparently rising from death on Sunday.  For the readers of this article Sunday is not the first day of the week; put part of it.  The first day started at sunset the seventh day i.e. 6p.m our Saturday evening.  A congregation that follows the sign of Jonas instead keeps the Passover on which Yahshua died and the following feast days of Unleaven bread and First Fruits.   To keep the days of Easter etc is disobedience to God’s words which is sin and evil.    

Joh 3:19  And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. Joh 3:20  For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. Joh 3:21  But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. 

Many times I point out that persons like J.M. and others who teach not to keep all God’s commandments because we are under grace, or pursue a prosperity theology are not of God regardless of whether they are apparently giving to charity.  It should be clear these preachers focus is on money.  The reply comes back from their followers that I am judging.  They do not seem to know the difference between judging and correcting.  1Ti 6:10  For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1Ti 6:11  But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.   

Paul taught Timothy to 2Ti 4:2  Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2Ti 4:3  For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 2Ti 4:4  And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.  2Ti 3:16  All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 

Was Paul telling Timothy to judge or correct false teachings?  The “who are we to judge” and such was promoted by such false preachers to prevent their theology being examined.  Their dark preaching being exposed to light.  John 3:21 says those who hold correct teachings do not mind it being examined.  Coming to the light.  Only those who teach and want to follow darkness.  We ought to know the difference between correction i.e. teaching to be a doer of the law and judging ones salvation. 

Jas 4:17  Therefore to him that knows to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin (or evil). 

Rom 2:9  Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that works good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: Rom 2:11  For there is no respect of persons with God. Rom 2:12  For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; Rom 2:13  (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Rom 2:14  For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves:

Rom 2:15  Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;) 

Rev 2:1  Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write; These things saith he that holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walks in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks; Rev 2:2  I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them which are evil: and thou hast tried them which say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: Rev 2:3  And hast borne, and hast patience, and for my name's sake hast laboured, and hast not fainted. Rev 2:4  Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Rev 2:5  Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. Rev 2:6  But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.  Rev 2:7  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the midst of the paradise of God. 

There is no Jew nor Gentile when it comes to access to God’s eternal salvation.   The criteria is the same as God is not a respecter of nationalities.   The first love is to love God.  The first works was to keep His commandments as given through Moses.  Many of the Christian churches have many of the good teachings of the bible; but have fallen away from keeping His Sabbath days, the weekly and the annual ones.  Here in Revelations they are told to return to that from which they fell away.  A falling away introduced by Emperor Constantine and the like.  He that overcomes this deceit are given to eat of the tree of life.  Rev 22:14  Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city. 

So to conquer evil we ought to conquer our and the hearts of others to make the right choice between Yahweh’s ways and that of other gods worship systems and days.   Yahweh’s manual for making the right choices is His Torah or good bible translation as the KJV.  

Ecc 12:13  Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. Ecc 12:14  For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. 

SHALOM