Fretting over Evil

     With all the horrible news on the television and internet, sometimes it's hard not to fret about all the evil in the world. I went to a little branch library the other day to simply drop off my books and as I was browsing the isles looking for a new book, I heard a big bang. I peered through the book shelves and heard the librarian telling a large man that he needed to leave for today, but could try again tomorrow. Apparently, they had had encounters with him before. He left, but soon, he entered again and they asked him to leave and he said nothing, but continued to walk to the back of the library. As I again peered through the shelves to check on his whereabouts, he appeared to be removing his shirt! I put the book I was looking at back on the shelf and made my way out the front doors. A side look at the librarians showed me one was punching numbers into her cellphone. 

    After watching all the craziness on TV about stabbing and shootings, I just didn't want to wait and see what this guy might do. I felt badly about the women left inside with him and prayed for their safety. I'm not sure if we just know more about the evil that is going on due to access to television and the internet, or that it is on the rise in our world. Or how about this, people who are prone to evil, see others doing it and then want to become "copycats" of the same or similar behavior? I don't know what is happening, but it can cause me to fret. 

    I was reading Psalm 37:1-3 this morning where King David had this to say about fretting, "Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious of those who do wrong; for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away. Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture." He seemed to be reminding his readers to "mind their own business," and just do what they are called to do and not fret about others' behaviors. I wish it were that simple for me. 

    In Proverbs 24:18-20, a similar reminder is given about evil people, "Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lap of the wicked will be snuffed out." In both scriptures, the readers are told not to "be envious" of these people choosing to do evil things. That seems like a strange reaction, and yet, if we think about how successful some people are at being bad, that might be where the envy could sneak in. If you choose to do the right thing, but are barely getting by, watching someone do evil and become wealthy from it, may be tempting. 

    Ephesians 5:11-12 gives us an action plan to deal with those who are evil, "Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret." This "mentioning of evil" is where I believe we have caused evil to grow exponentially in our society. We video it and show it to everyone and then our papers and media outlets blast it out to the universe. Evil has become entertainment. How can that be a good thing for our minds, will, and emotions? 

    If with food, "we are what we eat," then consumption of evil via our eyes, ears, and minds, can only lead to either fretting over evil or engaging in evil. Few of us are disciplined enough to completely ignore what we see and hear or some how delete it from our minds. The other thing that can happen if we spend too much time mulling over the deeds of the unrighteous is we can get confused, manipulated, or duped into thinking that evil is no longer "as bad as" we thought it was initially. The LORD Almighty told the Prophet Isaiah in chapter 5 verse 20, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter." 

Ephesians 5:15-17, Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 

    

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