Psalm 119:132-133
Turn to me and have mercy on me,
as you always do to those who love your name.
Direct my footsteps according to your word;
let no sin rule over me.
In his book, People of the Lie, psychiatrist M. Scott Peck argued that evil people practice "militant ignorance" with regards to their consciousness. Most, he stated, realize this evil lurks deep within them, but are unable to admit it to themselves. Instead, they continually flee their sinful nature by placing themselves in a position of moral superiority and putting the focus of evil on other people. Sin, indeed, rules over them.
Have you ever known anyone like this? Unfortunately, I have, and the experience was truly regrettable. This person was manipulative, prideful, smug, and never missed an opportunity to blame others for his misfortunes. He never apologized because he never said or did anything wrong. In his narcissistic world, others existed only to serve him and his needs. And, there was definitely no room for God. How could there be? That emptiness in all of us that craves to be filled with God's love, grace, mercy, and forgiveness had been filled with a layer of evil so thick, if it were pavement, not even the most persistent blade of grass could peep through the cracks.
Can you help someone like this see the error of his or her ways? Truthfully, no, but you can pray mightily that God will somehow reach out and snare them with His truth and convict them to turn from evil and become a person who loves His name. Even though they have shut and sealed the door to their hearts, pray they forget to lock it just once, just long enough for the Lord to enter in.
Amen.
Readings
Psalm 101, 109:1-4, (5-19), 20-30 or 119:121-144
1 Samuel 7:2-17
Acts 6:1-15
Luke 22:14-23
This reminds me of numerous people I have encountered in my life. What is sad is that wall of self reliance, since of invincibility, and self entitlement, is doomed to break down as their life continues. In the end, the people who are like them will abandon them. Those who can offer a healthy relationship have been pushed out of reach. All that is left is hell on earth and total dispare. Even then, God waits for them to open their heart and soul if they just try.
ReplyDeleteGlad to know I wasn't grasping at straws in writing this or being a bit too "dark". Sin is so very real; if it weren't, then why would we have needed a savior in Jesus?
ReplyDeleteYour portrayal of how these people end up is so accurate and well-expressed. Yes, we can only pray that God will rescue them because nothing or nobody else will.
Well said. I am driven to do a little self-examination in light of God's word.
ReplyDeleteAmen, Sister!
ReplyDeleteI agree that this is a dark subject and I do not think I could have written this as a younger man because I had to live long enough to see how lives progress and end. The idea that evil is real, morals matter, and spiritual health is as important as physical health are ideas that are very hard to teach young people beyond the abstract. As a parent, I find myself teaching my kids by pointing out living examples in order to make the abstract real. It does not help when our children see these traits sterilized and romanticized through the eyes of the media.
ReplyDelete