“This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19
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Albert Einstein once said, “Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds.”
This thought reminds me of the Scripture passage that reads, “… and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some way to get rid of Jesus, for they were afraid of the people” (Luke 22:2).
In every generation, evil looks for a way to kill good by using individuals who are self-centered to the point of making a pact to gain their selfish aims and ambitions. Those ambitious souls bargain with the devil to overcome someone or something they have convinced themselves is standing in their way, in order to possess that which they think should be theirs. This is all so they can win what they desire, opening the doors of their souls for evil to enter and take possession.
No, it’s not a movie script. It’s very real. The next verse states clearly that Satan does not waste time when temptation leaves the door ajar to a soul. “Then Satan entered Judas, called Iscariot, one of the Twelve” (Luke 22:3).
The dastardly deed of the betrayal of Jesus began with the same emotions and drives we ourselves deal with everyday — the desire to possess something, or someone, we would “give anything” to have. Or anger overtakes us, leaving the ashes of unforgiveness and bitterness. Remember the Creator Himself asked Cain out of grave concern, “‘Why are you angry? Why is your face downcast?’” (Genesis 4:6). Remember what Cain’s bitterness led to in mankind’s history? The first premeditated murder.
The truth is this: If we do not guard our hearts daily in the power and purity of the Lord, we become vulnerable to the human aspects of our natural, carnal hearts — wanting to win at any cost — being invaded by an enemy who will not willingly give us up. These were the drives and choices of men as evil drove them to kill good (Jesus), and they doomed their souls with their choices and influenced generations to come.
The same battle is raging where we live. Today I say to you, we must make choices in such a manner that bring light, life and safety to our souls. Or, thanks to the enemy that still desires to kill good, we will find we are making decisions that will doom our souls and wreak havoc upon our lives and the lives of those we love. In some cases, this will be for generations to come.
God has put in front of us the choice that all men and women have had to make from the beginning of time, and there are only two choices when it really comes down to it. We choose good and the life that comes with it through doing the will of the Father in Heaven; or we chose darkness in the war of good and evil and we endeavor, like it or not, to kill good.
God Himself said to the children of Israel, “This day I call the heavens and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live” (Deuteronomy 30:19).
Choose life today.
— Jerry Drummonds
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