Evil Is As Evil Does

evil |ˈēvəl|

adjective

1 an evil deed: wicked, bad, wrong, immoral, sinful, foul, vile, dishonorable, corrupt, iniquitous, depraved, reprobate, villainous, nefarious, vicious, malicious; malevolent, sinister, demonic, devilish, diabolical, fiendish, dark; monstrous, shocking, despicable, atrocious, heinous, odious, contemptible, horrible, execrable; informal lowdown, dirty. ANTONYMS good, virtuous.

A re you as confused as I am? What is evil? What does evil look like? Do we even know anymore in this culture where good is bad and bad is good? Where vampires, witches, warlocks and demons like Hell Boy are admired as heroes. Where raging narcissism is the new normal. Where the core family unit, a concept which has been the foundation of all successful civilizations, is mocked and vilified. Where abortion is a demanded right and the basest, most vile, contemptible behavior is celebrated as “diverse” and promoted as entertainment. Where up is down and down is up and everything is relative.

It would seem the natural progression would be to redefine evil in the dictionary to better represent the new paradigm but that won’t be necessary because who uses a dictionary anymore? And, anyway, evil has successfully infiltrated every nook and cranny of life in such a clever way that no one has noticed the subtle shift between good and bad, right and wrong. Evil’s minions seem to be revved up to a frenzy and working overtime in every angle, easily tapping into the feel-good side of human weakness from crack houses to mega-churches.

Who cares? Everyone is so happily distracted by “sharing” and connecting and texting and keeping up with the Kardashians, no one has noticed that evil officially has the upper hand–for now. But life is good, you know. Oh sure, relationships are impossible and breaking up by texting is the new standard. More people are alienated from each other and “de-friending” is the cutting edge insult. Obsession is a perfume. Health, fitness, and beauty are billion dollar demi-gods. Lies are better received than truth and one can say anything so long as it sounds like good is perceived to be and it doesn’t mention Christ Jesus. Everything that isn’t illegal is mandatory and thinking, not just doing, counter to the mainstream consciousness is a hate crime. 

And Evil looked at the progress, smiled and said, “It is good. I am good.”

Welcome to our brave new world. Where depravity, addiction, perfectionism, sexual deviations, religious legalism, oppression, bondage, greed, persecution, subjugation, domination, and general godlessness prevails. 

So, what does the new face of evil look like if it can’t be a blood-sucking vampire? Does it have grotesque features and pointy teeth dripping with blood?  It is repugnant and revulsive? Does it growl and roar?

Not hardly, that’s the stuff of fiction. True evil whispers and coos. Evil is a shape-shifter that knows how to dress itself in light and goodness. Evil convinces there is no such thing as evil. Evil coaxes and confirms that anything and everything is okay. Love is the thing but what is love? Evil says everything is good and love means doing what feels good to oneself; what self wants, self can have. Evil says there is no such thing as sin, so what is there to repent of? Evil says that the best way to bring others into the light is to compromise and get rid of all the unpleasant rules that make people uncomfortable. Evil says, embrace the goodness of SELF. Evil says, no one will perish because God is good and a good God would never let that happen. Evil says we are all gods and each a part of the great everything god. Evil promises that the world can at last become Utopia when everyone accepts his/her godship and evolves into worshippers and doers of love.  

Evil also whispers, “Thou shalt not surely die. Thou shalt not surely suffer. Thou shalt not be held accountable.”  Welcome to the not so brave new world where Evil is allowed to have its way with us–for now. Evil has a history though, if one wanted to pay attention. Evil destroys everything it touches and does so with the sweetest most pleasant deception. 

Perhaps a new entry in the Webster's Dictionary should say: "Evil is as Evil does. Ignore this at your own peril."

For Christ,

Meema

(2 Corinthians 11:13) For such men are false apostles, deceitful workers, fashioning themselves into apostles of Christ.  (11:14) And no marvel; for even Satan fashioneth himself into an angel of light.  (11:15) It is no great thing therefore if his ministers also fashion themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.