Discerning Between Good And Evil | The Branch

"It’s easy to fantasize about what we would have done in history, but the real question is what we are doing in the everyday moments God has placed in front of us." — Pastor Chris Reed

In this episode of The Branch Podcast, Pastors Chris Reed and Anthony Lombardi sit down for a thoughtful and unscripted conversation about how followers of Jesus discern what is good and what is evil in a world that often feels confusing, divided, and overwhelming. Rather than offering quick answers or simplified solutions, the conversation intentionally wrestles with tension, complexity, and the everyday realities of Christian living.

As culture, politics, and media continue to shape how people think and react, the Pastors invite listeners to slow down and consider how a Christian worldview is formed. Discernment, they explain, begins with understanding that Christianity is not simply a set of opinions but a way of seeing the world shaped by Scripture, anchored in Jesus, and lived out through faithful obedience.

A central theme of the conversation is the importance of worldview. Without a clear standard, ideas of good and evil easily shift with culture, generation, or personal preference. Pastors Chris and Anthony point out that Scripture consistently presents God as the source of goodness, truth, and moral clarity.

They reflect on how societies throughout history have redefined what is acceptable or unacceptable, often contradicting one another across generations. In contrast, the Bible presents a consistent moral framework rooted in God’s unchanging character. For Christians, discernment cannot begin with political identity, cultural trends, or personal comfort. It must begin with God.

Jesus is presented as the clearest revelation of God’s heart. His life, teachings, and actions provide the lens through which believers are called to interpret the world around them. When Scripture feels difficult or complex, the conversation continually returns to Jesus as the interpretive center.

Work is one of the most common places where success becomes entangled with identity. Careers can easily become either a source of personal worth or merely a means to achieve a desired lifestyle. Both extremes miss the biblical vision of vocation.

The pastors describe work as something entrusted by God. Wherever a person is employed, that place becomes a context for ministry, growth, and stewardship. Success at work is not defined by promotions, income level, or job satisfaction alone, but by faithfulness.

This faithfulness includes working with excellence, integrity, and humility, viewing daily tasks as an act of worship. Even seasons of dissatisfaction or difficulty can be used by God to shape character, patience, and obedience.

The Pastors spend time reflecting on Jesus’ teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, where He challenges surface-level obedience and points instead to the motivations of the heart. Jesus does not discard the law but reorients it, exposing how anger, contempt, and pride can be just as destructive as outward actions.

At the same time, Jesus challenges rigid interpretations that miss the purpose behind God’s commands. Sabbath laws, for example, were intended to bring rest, freedom, and restoration, not oppression. This balance reveals a deeper principle at work.

Good and evil are not simply about rule-following or external behavior. They are tied to God’s design for human flourishing. Jesus consistently calls people to live in ways that restore what is broken and reflect God’s intention for both individuals and communities.

Throughout the episode, human flourishing emerges as an important framework for discernment. The Pastors clarify that flourishing does not exist apart from a relationship with God. At the same time, God’s desire for flourishing extends beyond personal well-being to include neighbors, communities, and even society as a whole.

Jesus’ ministry offers a holistic vision of restoration. He heals bodies, restores dignity, rebuilds relationships, and calls people back into right relationship with God. This layered understanding of flourishing helps shape how Christians evaluate cultural issues.

Rather than asking only whether something benefits them personally, believers are invited to consider whether it contributes to the good of others. This shift challenges deeply ingrained habits of individualism and self-preservation, replacing them with a posture of service and humility.

A key tension explored in the conversation is the relationship between personal obedience and systemic injustice. The Pastors acknowledge that throughout history, many faithful Christians treated others with dignity even while unjust systems remained in place.

Using the civil rights movement as an example, they discuss how personal faithfulness alone was not sufficient to address deeply rooted societal wrongs. Laws and structures sometimes require change for justice to take shape. At the same time, social movements alone cannot heal the human heart.

This leads to an honest recognition of complexity. Discernment is not about choosing between personal holiness and public engagement. It involves prayerfully considering when and how God may call believers to speak, act, or remain patient within broken systems.

The conversation also engages the tension found in Romans 12 and Romans 13. Christians are called to love their enemies, reject vengeance, and live peaceably with others, while also respecting governing authorities.

Pastors Chris and Anthony note that this tension becomes especially difficult when authorities themselves cause harm or promote injustice. In such moments, allegiance to Christ must remain primary. Submission to authority is never meant to override obedience to God or silence the call to love and protect others.

Historical examples, including life under oppressive regimes, highlight the danger of apathy and silence. At the same time, the Pastors caution against reactionary thinking or carelessly labeling every difficult situation as equivalent to historical atrocities.

Discernment requires humility, wisdom, and reliance on the Holy Spirit rather than fear-driven responses.

Another significant focus of the episode is the role of media in shaping perception. The Pastors express concern over how quickly people, including Christians, are swept into outrage, misinformation, and confirmation bias.

Rather than reacting impulsively, believers are encouraged to slow down, seek truth, and recognize the limits of their own knowledge. Discernment involves prayer, careful listening, and a willingness to admit when full understanding is lacking.

Wisdom, they explain, often looks different from cultural noise. It resists sensationalism, values truth over being right, and protects the integrity of Christian witness in both speech and action.

As the conversation moves toward a close, the focus shifts from large-scale movements to everyday obedience. While public platforms and visible influence often receive attention, Scripture consistently emphasizes faithfulness in ordinary life.

Serving family members, working with integrity, loving neighbors, and responding with grace are not small or insignificant acts. Over time, these daily practices shape communities and reflect the kingdom of God in powerful ways.

Rather than carrying the weight of fixing the world, believers are reminded that God works through steady obedience. Faithfulness in small things prepares hearts and lives for greater responsibility when God chooses.

Discerning between good and evil is not about having an opinion on every issue or reacting to every headline. It is about abiding in Christ, allowing Scripture to shape perspective, and trusting God to work through obedience.

Pastors Chris Reed and Anthony Lombardi conclude by reminding listeners that God often uses what seems weak or insignificant to accomplish His purposes. In a complex world, hope is found not in control or certainty, but in faithful dependence on Jesus and commitment to living out His way day by day.

If you’re looking for a church community where faith is lived out in everyday life, The Tree Church has campuses in Lancaster and Logan, Ohio. With Sunday services at 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM, both locations provide a welcoming space to grow, ask honest questions, and follow Jesus together.

Whether you’re searching for a church in Lancaster or a church in Logan, you’re invited to join us as we pursue faithful obedience and deeper connection with God and others.

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