The baddest, meanest dudes

What are worthless and wicked people like? They are constant liars, signaling their deceit with a wink of the eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of fingers. Their perverted hearts plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble. But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing. (Proverbs 6:12-15)

Have you been around those who 'plot evil' as though it were a hobby? They go through life treating others as though they were 'pawns' in their game of life and live as though they were 'above the rules'. I try to get out of their way whenever I encounter them because I am aware their end will not be good at all! These kinds of people like to be on the receiving end of all that they desire, but whenever they receive something they didn't want, watch out. There will be some form of backlash!

"I don't believe a champion is the biggest, baddest, meanest dude in the world. I think the champion is like a warrior; it's like the head knight or lead samurai: humble men of integrity, respect, and honor that treat people kindly." (Jon Jones, American Athlete) The baddest dude we may have met will never be able to stand up to the God we serve. He may think he has made his way in this life by walking on others, demanding his own way, 'telling his own story', but there is only one person who know the end of that 'bad dude's' life - God. 

When we encounter these types of individuals, we might be tempted to 'talk some sense' into them, but if you have ever tried to combat their wickedness with kind words or deeds, you know there is no amount of talk or 'nice actions' that will change their ways. It will take an act of God to change them - not our words, reasoning, or pleas to change. Why? Their hearts are actually tainted by their desires - there heart is hard, bent on doing evil, and completely depraved. The only one who can change a heart is God - through the work of grace and the power of Christ's blood.

What can we do when we encounter the hard of heart, wicked to the core individual? We can pray for their change of heart, but when we stay close enough to them to be an example of God's love and grace, we had better be prepared for the trouble they will continually stir up. They thrive in that form of chaos, so if we are going to be around them, we need to prepare for the chaos. That means we put on the full armor of God and then we stand. The bully in them will attempt to knock us down, but when we are standing in the power of God, even their 'baddest' attack won't send us packing. Just sayin!

Our collective knowledge

People are not disturbed by things, but by the view they take of them. 

(Epictetus)

I cannot help but find this quote a little 'practical' today. Isn't this what all these debates on each side of an argument do to us? They disturb something within us - not because the ideal is wrong, but the view we take of the ideal might be less than 'right' in somebody's view. It amazes me that a Greek philosopher from the first century actually might remind us of something so profound. We are 'disturbed' more by the 'side' we assume than by the 'thing' we are debating! Are you also aware that Epictetus said, "If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid"? Maybe some of us just need to take our stand, but stop debating the 'views' of all the others who think us foolish and stupid!

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise. God has chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty. (I Corinthians 1:27)

Epictetus also reminded us, "The key is to keep company only with people who uplift you, whose presence calls forth your best." There will always be contention as long as we live on this earth, but we don't have to choose to engage in what some debate. Why? We aren't going to uplift anybody by debating - we will just drive wedges deeper and make the gaps in our beliefs wider. The truth is to be told - there is no greater message regardless of the 'debate' of the hour. Surround yourself with the right company and you will always find you are being built up, not torn down!

Epictetus also told us it wasn't 'what' happened to us that made the difference, but 'how' we reacted to it. This isn't new information because God has been telling us there is 'right' and 'wrong' way to respond to life's events since the beginning of time. We either reject the lie and embrace the truth, or we accept the lie and forsake the truth. The choice is ours - how we 'react' will be an evidence of which of these we have embraced! God has chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise - the weak to confound the mighty. That is counter-intuitive, isn't it? God doesn't always 'do' things as we would expect - because he isn't limited by our view of the situation.

God expects us to use what we have been given in Christ Jesus to confound this world. Not with a mighty sledge-hammer pounding truth home, but with the 'pressure' of the Spirit of God's presence in our lives. The 'company' we keep is first with God himself - then with others who also seek to uplift Christ first and foremost. As we keep this 'company', we find our 'wisdom' far outreaches the heights of the wisest in this world. Why? We have the collective knowledge of God on our side! Just sayin!