C. JoyBell C; an American author once remarked: “Never get involved with people who are likely to envy you at the end of the day. People like that will actually lurk in the bushes, play your mind, and pounce on you when you are at our most vulnerable state. Envy is the root of all evil, in all men and women, everywhere. They’re not going to leave your side, but for reasons that you wouldn’t like!” 1 Timothy 6:1-5 reminds us: “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.”
Many wrongdoings in life are considered as evil. Evil is defined as acts of an immoral or wicked nature and can be related to many characteristics. It is independent and stands alone, yet, it is contingent upon goodness. One cannot survive without the other. One of the important references in the Bible appertaining to its existence, is its relationship with the love of money, but can also relate to a host of different things including sufferance, jealousy, strife and many other factors involving human-conceived acquisitions. 1 Timothy 6:10 confirms: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” It often portrays a deep establishment of profound immorality, possibly linked to a supernatural force, but where does it actually come from?
In botany, roots have been defined as the part of a plant that attaches it to the ground and provides sustenance and nourishment for its survival. It aids growth, strength and structure and is considered an essential component for a plant’s continuance. It is considered beneficial and constructive. It can be deemed as providing a definitive purpose in life and may be considered as the foundation stone for existence. It is also classed as the basic cause, source or origin of something different, whether that be good or evil. Luke 6:43-44 reminds us: “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.”
Whether a person is born with evil intent or succumbs to its temptation from an early or later stage in life, has been the searching question debated by psychologists and other scholars for many years. It remains a stark dichotomy to life. The direct and probing question may be asked: “Is evil inherent, or does it grow within us over time?” The suggested theories or assumptions given are varied and often inconclusive. Some believe that evil is man-made and an individualistic trait, its birth may be formed from sin, greed, envy, possessiveness, lust, power etc.
Others may oppose that notion with the conclusion that evil abounds everywhere and it is the submission to temptation that may induce the root cause. Isaiah 5:20 reminds us: “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!”
Denial of evil is an available option applicable to all. Some might ask: “If God represents all that is good in the world, why does evil exist?” One of the many possible answers to that searching question could be: It should be remembered, that although God made the universe to be enjoyed by all, a balance or choice within it needs to exist. If a person walks into a restaurant for a meal, but finds that there is only ever one item on the menu that can be ordered, life would soon become boring, mundane and uninspired.
A single-choice menu serves no particular purpose or usefulness in life, either to the provider or the customer. God’s intention is to grant as much freedom of choice, as is feasibly possible, in anything we do or undertake. If this were not so, we would quickly become tired of the same constancy every day. There would be nothing of interest to tempt our taste buds. Variety is said to be the spice of life and the more choices we are offered, the more interesting life becomes. The more interesting that is, the more enjoyability is embellished, and the more fulfillment gleaned.
Thus, it is the same between good and evil. We each have an individual choice. As children, we are usually taught and encouraged by responsible parents to reject evil intentions and be as good as we can be. There will always be imperfections or deviations from the correct path, that is what life is all about. Deuteronomy 28:1-5 reminds us: “And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God, being careful to do all his commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth. And all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your herds and the young of your flock. Blessed shall be your basket and your kneading bowl.”
Decisions on conformity toward goodness, righteousness or indeed, the opposite always remain a personal choice. God gives us that freedom, if we make the wrong one, then we only have ourselves to blame for any consequences we may incur. Doe Zantamata, a female author, artist and photographer once remarked: “Every decision brings with it some good, some bad, some lessons, and some luck. The only thing that’s for sure is that indecision steals many years from many people who wind up wishing they’d just had the courage to leap.” A determined quest to live a life of goodness can be significantly aided by personal approach and attitude. If we accept Jesus as our Saviour and Redeemer, but stray from the path of righteousness because of prevailing circumstances or satanic interventions, then we can be assured that if we realize the error of our ways and seek forgiveness for our transgressions, God will listen. Just as bad roots may be discovered and removed, by a good gardener, replacing them by ones of goodness or fruitfulness, so the same can happen to us. With our sins forgiven, we can pick ourselves up and start afresh. An additional item appears on the menu of life. Matthew 6:33 confirms: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”
Amen.
