AT TIMES, IT IS WISDOM TO HIDE WHEN EVIL IS PERCEIVED

Pst. Charles Eberechukwu Nwaneri 

AT TIMES, IT IS WISDOM TO HIDE WHEN EVIL IS PERCEIVED

In life, not every battle is meant to be fought head-on. There are seasons when retreat is not cowardice but a divine wisdom and strategy. The Bible teaches that wisdom sometimes demands that we withdraw, hide, or avoid confrontation especially when evil is clearly perceived. This principle is not rooted in fear, but in discernment, timing, and spiritual maturity.

We are actually in perilous times as was prophesied, nevertheless we are not expected to live in fear.

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but that of power, love and soundness of mind.

Faith without knowledge and wisdom  is very destructive. The Lord said "My people perish for lack of knowledge".

For one to hide at times when evil is perceived is not cowardice but wisdom.

Biblical Foundation: 

Proverbs 22:3 KJV

A prudent man foreseeth the evil, and h̳i̳d̳e̳t̳h̳ h̳i̳m̳s̳e̳l̳f̳ : but the simple pass on, and are punished."

Proverbs 14:16 KJV

A wise man feareth, and departeth from evil: but the fool rageth, and is confident".

This verses powerfully lays the foundation for the idea. A prudent (wise, discerning) person is not reckless. When they sense danger whether physical, spiritual, emotional, or relational, they make calculated decisions, often including hiding themselves. 

In contrast, the simple (foolish or naive) ignore the warning signs and suffer the consequences.

In the history of the people of Israel, there are times the Lord instructed them to hide themselves from impending danger or evil for a period of time.

Isaiah 26:20 KJV

Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a Little moment, until the indignation be overpast."

Exodus 12:22-23 KJV

22)And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip it in the blood that is in the bason, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the bason; and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning."

 [23] For the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when he seeth the blood upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you."

Jesus our Lord Himself Practiced This Wisdom

John 10:39-40

[39]Therefore they sought again to take him: but he escaped out of their hand,

[40]And went away again beyond Jordan into the place where John at first baptized; and there he abode."

Jesus Christ our Lord though full of power and authority, did not always confront danger directly. 

Several times in the Gospels, He withdrew or escaped when His enemies sought to harm Him before His appointed time. 

He acted with wisdom at the course of His ministry while on earth.

John 8:59

[59]Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by."

Matthew 12:14-15

[14]Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

[15]But when Jesus knew it, he withdrew himself from thence: and great multitudes followed him, and he healed them all;

John 12:36 KJV

While ye have light, believe in the light, that ye may be the children of light. These things spake Jesus, and departed, and did hide himself from them."

 If Jesus, the Son of God, discerned when to hide, how much more should we?

 David Fled From Saul

David, the anointed future king of Israel at a time spent years fleeing from King Saul who sought to kill him out of envy. Though David had the strength and even opportunities to retaliate, he chose to hide and wait on God’s timing:

1 Samuel 23:14

[14]And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand."

This was not weakness, but wisdom. David trusted God to vindicate him rather than rushing into battle.

 Joseph Took Mary and Jesus to Egypt

Matthew 2:14

[14]When he arose, he took the young child and his mother by night, and departed into Egypt:"

When King Herod sought to kill the baby Jesus, Joseph responded to divine warning by fleeing. It was God’s instruction. Protection, not confrontation, was the divine will at that moment. Wisdom is profitable to direct.

Paul Escaped by a Basket:

Acts 9:24-25

[24]But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.

[25]Then the disciples took him by night, and let him down by the wall in a basket."

Even Apostle Paul, a man of bold preaching and spiritual authority, fled when a threat arose in Damascus. This shows that discretion is not a lack of faith, but often an expression of faith.

THE GOVERNING RULES

Therefore it is necessary for us to act wisely while still anchoring our faith in the almighty God with whom all things are possible, for He has promised never to leave nor forsake His people, but reward  all according to their deeds. Whatever one sows he will reap.   God did not create the world and abandoned it, He is the Governor amongst the nations and rules by the word of His power and hands joined together the wicked can never go unpublished.

Romans 2:6

[6]Who will render to every man according to his deeds:"

Galatians 6:7-8

[7]Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."

[8]For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. "

Deuteronomy 6:24 KJV"                        

 "And the Lord commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as it is at this day."

Proverbs 2:11 KJV"

Discretion shall preserve thee, understanding shall keep thee:"

Key Takeaways:

Hiding is not always fear; sometimes it is faith in God’s timing.

Not all battles are ours to fight headlong, some are to be fought with divine strategic actions. Some are to be fought on our knees, allowing the Lord to avenge the enemies of righteousness. Wisdom is justified in her children.

Luke 7:35

[35]But wisdom is justified of all her children."

Wisdom discerns between when to speak and when to be silent, when to stand and when to hide.

Preserving your life, ministry, or assignment require strategic withdrawal.

Conclusion:

Wisdom is the principal thing:

Proverbs 4:7-9

[7]Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.

[8]Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her.

[9]She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee."

 Part of walking in wisdom is recognizing that sometimes, God’s instruction is to hide, When evil is perceived, whether through spiritual insight, clear danger, or divine warning, stepping back is the path to preservation and purpose. May God give us the discernment to know when to act and when to withdraw, for His glory and our safety in Jesus mighty name Amen!

THE LORD PRESERVE YOU.

Psalm 145:20 KJV                                  

 "The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy."

Psalm 31:23 KJV                                         

 "O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer."

Psalm 121:7 KJV

"The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul."

Psalm 121:8 KJV.                                        " The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for evermore."

Amen!

I love you!

SHALOM!!

Pst Charles Eberechukwu Nwaneri 

RICHES IN MIND 

https://richesinminds.blogspot.com

PERFECT SKILL DOMINION ENTERPRISES 

Pst Charles Eberechukwu Nwaneri