If you look at the artwork above intitled GOOD ALWAYS PREVAILS IN THE END, you will see that the arm- wrestling position shows "GOOD" having clear decisive leverage over "EVIL." A closer look at the "good arm" shows how the radius and Ulna bones are healthy and strong, as well as the biceps. However, a closer look at the "EVIL ARM" reveals a tear in the distal Biceps brachli tendon, and fractures in both Radius and Ulna bones. My intent is to display the two ways that describe the course of human action. One leads to defeat and the other leads to victory, as confirmed in Psalm 37:17 " FOR THE ARMS OF THE WICKED SHALL BE BROKEN: BUT THE LORD UPHOLDETH THE RIGHTEOUS." KJV
Where do you stand? Which way, which direction, are you headed? Is your navigational system accurate or faulty? Are you unaware? Or do you have an agitated awareness? Are you merely, indifferent, disinterested, or flat out cold-blooded when watching moral decay, corruption and deceit combine?
My brother, my sister, over and over, again and again the Bible instructs us to consider and judge rightly, to cease from evil, and to learn to do what is pleasing to Almighty God. Oh yes! Scripture is deeply saturated with wise reasons that glaringly convey why we should have no part with evil. 2 Corinthians 6:14 "...For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness? " Please, Don`t get it twisted, it is detrimental to fellowship with evil doers. On one hand we see;Galatians 5:9" A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" KJV. (For added clarity) Galatians 5:9 TLB version "It takes only one wrong person among you to infect all the others." If I mix 5lbs of fresh ground beef with 5lbs of spoiled ground beef, what will I have?
On the other hand we`re told; Psalm 1:1-2 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doeth he meditate day and night."
WISE REASONS
When repeatedly urged to consider and judge rightly, cease from doing evil, and to learn to choose what pleases God (if the truth be told) we can only achieve these assignments by contemplating and discerning the various differences between what God defines as good and evil. And then, do the right thing for the right reason. Let me be clear: In Scripture there are two ways that define the course of human action; the "GOOD WAY" and the "EVIL WAY." There is no "MIDDLE WAY." We either do things as defined by God as being right or wrong. The following parable describes the two ways. Matthew 7:13-14 "Enter ye in at the strait gate: For wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and their are few who find it."
The narrow gate, and difficult way, undoubtedly point to the fact that we live in a fallen world. Not to mention, we all have sinful tendencies, no matter if we are born-again true believers, or not. Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" Therefore, don`t deceive yourself, all humans miss God`s mark of moral perfection. Yes! even the unquestionably good person, still has a sinful nature. This is why the gate is so wide, and why the way is so broad that leads to destruction. Subsequently, each and every human being, needs a Savior!
Apostle Paul wrote, for example, "I love to do God`s will so far as my new nature is concerned, but there is something else deep within me, in my lower nature, that is at war with my mind..." "So, you see how it is; my new life tells me to do right, but the old nature that is still inside me loves to sin. " Oh wretched man that I am!" Romans 7:22-24, Apostle Paul was not just being transparent about the sinful urges that arose within him, he also expressed the right attitude about them. To be clear, it did not sit right/well with Paul whenever the evil urges and sinful tendencies took center stage in his mind. His introspective look reveals how we should contemplate and discern what God defines as "good" and "evil." Both influences seek to be a guiding force. Therefore, understanding the depth of there influence will help determine which direction we`re headed in. Drawing a distinction is priceless, when we choose wisely.
You see, the distinction was made when Paul expressed how he struggled against his sinful tendencies. This speaks volumes because those truly on the right path do not EAGERLY indulge evil urges, nor do they sit right with us when we experience them. Somewhat like Apostle Paul we experience a healthy guilt, may be frustrated, or get angry, about the influence our uniquely sinful flavor exerts when it has taken center stage in our minds. Then, when the "old nature" is gratified, the gratification will be BRIEF, then right after, the true believer really feels terrible, and perhaps even ashamed. Subsequently, various levels and types of pain, disorder, and even a sense of worthlessness often take center stage in the mind. Some may seethe, others are left distraught. Many then adamantly VOW NEVER TO SATISFY THE SINFUL URGE AGAIN! Those who don`t experience these truths and continue to satisfy sinful urges are trapped and on the wrong path, Real talk.
Get this: to be truly tempted we must be enticed, this means that the temptation will only be as strong as the desire to fulfill it. Oh yeah It starts on the inside of each and every one of us. You must be drawn too or attracted by something to really be enticed by it. This was what Paul apparently focused on when he said, "There is something else deep within me..." The reality of human frailty, (born into sin) and the God-given gift of free-will, when linked to the heat of the moment, the specific sinful urge may smell, feel, look, sound or taste really good. Know this: the deceitfulness of sin is what it is: DECEPTIVE! For example, some temptations are so strong that you can taste it before you get it, you can feel it before actual contact is made. How can this be? The evil one (Satan) employs succulent bait, that`s tailored to your uniquely sinful flavor. You feel me?
Deep sincere contemplation about what is going on or has occurred deep inside oneself and being true to one`s self and God entails more than self-observations. When Paul entered such contemplation God showed Paul that he, himself (Paul's old nature) was his greatest enemy. John 16:13 assures us that the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. And so, just as he revealed truth to Paul, he will help us identify what is stimulating the lower nature residing deep within us. Then the true believer can take action from the insights gained. It is at this point that we, like Paul, cry out "Oh wretched man/woman that I am!" This means we come clean 4real! My brother, my sister keeping it 100% like Paul did with himself and God is crucial because it`s impossible to conquer what we fail to identify. Paul identified what the root cause was, and he identified who alone knew everything that was happening deep within him: Almighty God, a present help indeed!!. This was why Paul didn`t blame the devil, the woman, or the dilemma etc. he came clean and blamed himself. You see, we must name it to tame it.
Psalm 139: 23-24 "Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me and lead me in the way everlasting." Without God`s help, grace and mercy, humankind would remain helpless. This is why King David wrote this. He wanted to know himself thoroughly. Oh yes! Only Almighty God knows each human being with perfect understanding and perfect knowledge. By the time King David writes "Ps. 139:24 "And see if there be any wicked way in me,,," in essence he is asking God to reveal any evil habit that might have been unknown about himself.
King David expresses the right kind of contemplating needed by those who are on the right path. Those who understand Jeremiah 17:9 " The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?" know that we need God to lead us into all truth in order to walk the strait and narrow path. Therefore, let`s keep in mind that at some point or another every person in the bible, (except for Jesus Christ) every person throughout human history, and each and every one of us today have failed God at some point.
Jude 1:20-25 "But ye; beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."
Jude reveals how to consider and discern rightly, the right attitude we're to have about evil, and the rewards for doing things God`s way. Oh yes God is able to keep us falling, which assures us that good always prevails in the end.
EVIL-DOERS
Now, let`s take a look at evil, as it relates to the "evil doer." Know this: The evil desires of a wicked person`s heart, lead to his/her evil conduct. Behavior is the outcome of character, as sure as the corrupt mind can find no delight in searching out the advantages assured when one persistently pursues good.
If you cannot fathom something, you are unable to understand it, although you think carefully about it. You see, the evil doer cannot fathom what`s wrong about the wicked urges, and so when the evil urges surface they do think carefully about them, but only in ways that will further stimulate, nurture, and reinforce gratifying evil. Moreover, because the evil-doer does not fear God, he/she has nothing to restrain this evil process. You see, this specific process enables the truly evil doer to also shout out "Oh wretched man that I am!" However, his/her motives will be laced with evil-intent, employed to mislead, confuse, and or create contention. Consequently, in his/her own eyes it is absurd for the evil doer to believe that they are heading toward destruction.
Such was the case with Judas Iscariot. He carefully thought about various ways to point Jesus out to those who were planning to eliminate Jesus. He decided to employ A kiss. By greeting Jesus in such a warm, friendly manner, Judas theatrics were masterful, however his motives were laced with evil-intent. Judas pre-arranged signal (kiss Jesus on cheek) was the act with which he identified Jesus to those sent to arrest Jesus so they could crucify the LORD. I cannot over emphasize how important it is to consider and judge rightly! Do so knowing that there was only two ways to choose how to proceed. Judas knew exactly which path he desired to take as he approached Jesus in Gethsemane. Even though Judas performance was worthy of a academy award it did not fool Jesus!
It is important to note that Jesus knew exactly how he would be betrayed. He not only knew this in advance, you see, he saw it take place in his mind, long before Judas kissed him in the Garden of Gethsemane. For Jesus to be fully aware in his mind, defines the certainty of knowing what he was about to go through. This is something he alone could experience. I refer to the degree of certainty: 100%
Let`s get back to the truly evil-doers. They twist the facts, deceive, lie, deny reality, and love nothing more than to fulfill there deep-seated self-centered wicked preferences. Make no mistake, the truly evil person wants evil to flourish. Contemplating these truths are important. I pray that you seriously meditate on these truths because, as recorded in Proverbs 14:12 "There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death."
Psalm 36:1-4 "Sin lurks deep in the hearts of the wicked, forever urging them on to evil deeds. They have no fear of God to hold them back. In their blind conceit they cannot see how wicked they really are. Everything they say is crooked and deceitful; they are no longer wise and good. They lie awake at night to hatch their evil plots, instead of planning how to keep away from wrong." My brother, my sister, It is my humble prayer that you think on these things. Once more I ask, where do you stand? God bless!
