“As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good,
to bring it about that many people should be kept alive,
as they are today” (Genesis 50:20, ESV).
Every leader will stare into “the mouth of a lion” called evil at some point. It may be the evil of people’s sinful choices, the evil of un-Christlike attitudes, or the evil of a person spreading division in your ministry.
When facing evil, arm yourself with the truth that evil doesn’t have to have the last word. Genesis 50:20 reminds us that evil can often be turned into good…if it’s placed under the leadership of Jesus. But, therein lies the challenge…
FACT ~ most leaders prefer to avoid confronting evil. TRUTH ~ evil is allowed by God to accomplish some good.
FACT ~ leaders often just want the evil to go away. TRUTH ~ God wants the evil to be turned into good.
FACT ~ too many leaders see only the bad of evil. TRUTH ~ God wants you to see the opportunity of evil.
Here are some things meant for evil that can be turned into good…
1. Conflict turned into intimacy ~ When conflict rears its ugly head, Satan (the Accuser) gets ready to pounce on people. Perhaps the reason most leaders run from conflict is because they can sense the real opportunity for evil. But what about the real opportunity for good?
Matthew 18:15-17 details Jesus’ method of turning conflict into intimacy. At every stage Jesus pushes people toward each other, to communicate the issues, and to involve leaders. This process itself forges a genuine bond of intimacy!
2. Division turned into unity ~ If you’re a leader, then chances are you’ve lost sleep over the divisive behaviors of those you’ve led. When people undermine your leadership, cast aspersions against your character, and turn people against you…they are being duped into doing the Devil’s work for him ~ read 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
Although division is a work of the flesh, and is called sin in Scripture…it can be turned into good. 1 Corinthians 11:18-19 teaches that division provides an opportunity for authentic leaders to step up and shine.
3. Sinfulness turned into forgiveness ~ Nothing reveals a leader’s true heart more than how they handle sin. Jesus was tender toward repentant sinners, and tough toward religious hypocrites. Sadly, many churches (and church leaders) have gotten this backward. The cross of Jesus reminds us that God is at His best, when people are at their worst.
2 Corinthians 2:5-11 is a tender passage where the Apostle Paul urges the church to forgive and restore the repentant guy whose sin caused so much anguish in their church. Sin can be turned into good when leaders push toward the goal of repentance and restoration, not rejection, of the sinner.
God is the God of great reversals. Under His leadership sin is turned into redemption, sickness into healing, and evil into good.
Can you put a name to a specific form of evil emerging under your leadership?
What opportunity for good might God be seeking to accomplish?
What does Scripture say about that specific evil? About God’s desired good?
What is your next step?
When will you take it?
Who needs to come alongside you?
I am a Missional Leader and Community Life Pastor. This blog is a place for people who're interested in learning to HEAR God, FOLLOW Christ, and / or LEAD others. Everything here is my own opinion, meant to help you wake up to God's dream for your life. 
