Evil has many faces

For centuries there has been a long-held belief that evil comes from Satan and his band of demons.

Hollywood over the years has painted these demons as anti-type angels with venom dripping from every part of the body and usually with a raspy voice for effect.

Conspiracy theorists would have you believe and are right evil comes in the form of organisations such as the illuminati, the freemasons, or other places.

I would even venture it comes from within government circles and from observations in history that assumption is also correct

But if we were looking for evil, look in the mirror.

There you will find a person who is capable of evil.

Not you?

Think about it honestly, are we capable of evil.

The answer is yes, but sometimes we just don’t know when it could happen.

Circumstances change often during the day and life sometimes shows us no mercy.

It can be a major event in our lives where someone or the system has offended us.

Out of nowhere comes this feeling that you cannot control.

You may want to simply curse at another motorist who inadvertently cut you off.

You may even wish harm on another individual who wronged you.

You may well regret your thoughts in an instant, but we are all capable of thinking evil thoughts.

Now I know thinking and acting on your thoughts are different, but really, they are the same.

But why do you have these thoughts, how can you control them.

First up let’s understand everyone has them Matthew 15: 9 tells us, “For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander.”

Not for a moment am I suggesting we are at this point where we would act on any of the things I listed.

We are all guilty of thoughts but dare I say it an evil thought is like a planted seed; all it need is fertilisation to make it grow.

So, what can we do about it?

Proverbs 4; we are to Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

And if we do Pauls words to the people in Philippi should provide comfort that the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

The times we are living in are fraught with issues which we encounter daily.

Currently in New Zealand we have a divided nation, and unfortunately things will get worse before they will get better.

The mandating of vaccination certificates for citizens allowing them to live a free and normal life while the doors remain closed to others is not the kiwi way.

In a country which prides itself on welcoming all and shows compassion to other citizens of the world I personally cringe when I hear and now see our fellow citizens showing both judgement and discrimination towards one another.

Evil presents itself in differing forms and in these trying times we must continue to show compassion and love for one another.

We should as James puts it no be discriminatory between ourselves and become judges with evil thoughts.