Sounds odd to say that there is evil in the place where people go to worship THE LORD. But the fact is that evil lives and prospers within the walls of that arena.
Evil comes through the doors in many forms. Sometimes it waltzes in the door and teaches the youth. It brings its own particularly special kind of salacious attitude to the youth. When a young married woman becomes enamored with another man, a man who should have been taught better, and they make their relationship public, flaunting it for all the congregation to see, it teaches the youth that adultery is okay and fornication is winked at by the Church.
Evil comes through the doors in the form of Elders and Deacons. The older silver-tongued man who fancies himself a ladies man and indiscriminately makes passes at younger women thinking that with his position and his assumed "favor" with GOD he can be forgiven these little indiscretions. After all, it really isn't hurting anyone. He's not really going to follow through, right? What difference does it make, indeed? [Matthew 5:28 But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.]
Evil comes through the door in the form of the sweet and kindly elderly woman who has decided that it would be financially more favorable to shack up with her man-friend than to marry. The example is set that fornication or even just the appearance of evil is winked at by the Church. [1Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.]
Evil comes through the door laced with pride and bolstered by idolatry. [Proverbs 16:18 Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.]
"We don't need a preacher!" will be an attitude of some. And that attitude begs the question, why call yourself or your building a Church? If you need no guidance in that book you pretend to follow; if you are not following Scripture and are Hell-bent upon going your own way, why, oh why, even call yourself a Church?
Why not just call yourself the Onion Field Community Center or The Community Country Club, set up a charter, complete with dues, install a swimming pool with a lifeguard, turn the Family Life Center into a mock gambling hall and be done with it! After all, if you're going to wink at sin, you might as well go all the way, shut your eyes and dive in. You'll get there sooner and won't have the agony of putting up those Christians who insist upon following the pesky book called THE BIBLE!
You could counsel youth on birth control and sexually transmitted diseases, have dances and raise all kinds of money. No one would have to stand up against abortion again, you just tell them when the bus leaves for Jackson so they can get one. You won't have to worry about having any undesirables within the walls because only those who had their dues paid up to date would be allowed to come in. [1Timothy 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.]
So many of our Churches are just little dens of iniquity wearing Church clothes. And we wonder why the unsaved aren't impressed. Do you really have to wonder why we are called "The great Satan" by other religions? Do you have to ponder long why so many will be so surprised when, on judgement day, they will hear, "Depart from ME, I never knew you." [Matthew 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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.]
Wouldn't you rather hear, "Well done!"? [Matthew 25:23 His lord said unto him, Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.]
Shalom! Pray for the PEACE of Jerusalem!
Psalms 122:6 Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee.