Fending off Evil....

Have you ever done something stupid? I have. Yesterday, in fact.

It was one of those things that seemed innocent enough, but at the same time, was just plain stupid.

The desire to feel justified in what I did was the motivation behind how I could do it. But I have been writing about being compassionate, being real, being transparent, being open and honest... and yet... something stupid did I. Don't worry, I'm not talking about stealing, robbing, killing or being unfaithful. It was one of those little things that didn't speak very well of my character.

The thing that bothers me, is that I allowed myself to justify what I did. Though my actions were something probably not perceived as being important to anyone else and I would probably have received justifying support by any of my buddies, if I chose to let anyone know (which I'm not), it just didn't sit right with me. I am a man of conviction and a strong moral fibre.

It is those little things that we justify as being "ok" that lead to thinking that things that are a little bigger are "ok" as well. That makes it easier to say the big things, that aren't ok to say ok to, are "ok", because, after all, the little things were "ok" and this is just an extension of those things. The Trap of Evil is slow and progressive. Satan will draw you in my any means possible.

In fending off evil, I am recognizing that the small things I do: i.e. simple lies to protect someones emotions or my own, can lead down a trail of deceit.

In discovering myself, I am finding that to be real, be raw, be open, will continually bring me to points of having to make decisions that will impact the building of my character and will either strengthen or weaken my moral fibre.

In this I pray:
"Rescue me, O LORD, from evil men; protect me from men of violence, who devise evil plans in their hearts and stir up war every day. They make their tongues as sharp as a serpent's; the poison of vipers is on their lips. Keep me, O LORD, from the hands of the wicked; protect me from men of violence who plan to trip my feet." Psalm 140:1-4