Giving into evil began in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve ate from the fruit of the tree of good and evil and persists to this day. When we give in to evil, we bow to our old sinful nature and possible pressures around us. Pontius Pilate was the Governor of Judea when the religious leaders brought Jesus.
Luke 23:1Then the entire council took Jesus to Pilate, the Roman governor. 2 They began to state their case: “This man has been leading our people astray by telling them not to pay their taxes to the Roman government and by claiming he is the Messiah, a king.” 3 So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews?” Jesus replied, “You have said it.” 4 Pilate turned to the leading priests and to the crowd and said, “I find nothing wrong with this man!” [1]
Pilate concluded that he should let Jesus go free, but the religious leaders persisted. Satan is always at work around us, trying to penetrate our armor to tear us down. Pilate had a position of power as a governor and did not want to lose it, which would be the weakness the enemy would use to attack him.
Our Enemy’s Battle Against Us is Relentless
It was the governor’s custom each year to release a prisoner to the crowd of their choosing. Pilate now gave the people the option of releasing a notorious prisoner named Barabbas, thinking the people would release Jesus. To Pilate’s surprise, the leading priests and elders convinced the crowd to ask for Barabbas.
Matthew 27:22 Pilate responded, “Then what should I do with Jesus, who is called the Messiah?” They shouted back, “Crucify him!” 23 “Why?” Pilate demanded. “What crime has he committed?” But the mob roared even louder, “Crucify him!”[2]
Pilate feared things would get out of control and cause a riot if he did not give in to their demands, but in doing so, he gave in to evil. Like Pilate, we all have weaknesses the enemy uses to attack us. When we continually surrender to evil, we can sear our consciences to God’s voice. Matthew 27:26 So Pilate released Barabbas to them. He ordered Jesus flogged with a lead-tipped whip, then turned him over to the Roman soldiers to be crucified. [3]
Putting on the Whole Armor of God
It is easy to criticize the weakness of Pilate, not realizing the enemy also looks for our weakness. Paul gives us insight on how to stand in this spiritual battle. Ephesians 6:10 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil.[4]
Paul tells us what that armor is: The Belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the Gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Only when we wear the armor of God do we have the strength to not give in to evil.
To learn about giving in to evil, listen here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/a-self-serving-trial
[1-4] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Tyndale House Publishers.