Choosing between Good and Evil in the Garden

Surely in vain I have kept my heart pure
   and have washed my hands in innocence.
All day long I have been afflicted,
   and every morning brings new punishments.

Psalm 73:13-14

Several years ago there was a sensationalized true story, turned into a book entitled "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil" and then made into a movie by the same name, of a man who lived his life in excess and the story surrounding his trial for murder, his acquittal and his subsequent death. The story is a good one - but what intrigues me more is the title. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. Midnight focuses on a point in time between yesterday and today; Garden defines a place of peace and well, good and evil are pretty self-explanatory.

In life we are always faced with making the choice between good and evil - - and sometimes the green grass on the evil side of the garden looks pretty good.

For some of us, it seems that individuals who break the rules and who live life focused on their own wants and needs are winning in life. They drive the best cars and have the biggest homes. They are famous - sometimes for being famous. They have unimaginable wealth and opportunities seem to fall into their laps without trying. And, they don't seem to be overly concerned with God or how He sees them.

"They", the over-priviledged and under-compassionate, do not seem to face the same consequences that the rest of us do; all while we see our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ struggling to pay their bills, find jobs and meek out an existence in a world which is experiencing a greater chasm between the haves and the have nots.

This reality might make us question whether or not we should be "good" all of the time when "evil" seems to always win.

This is what the wicked are like—
   always free of care, they go on amassing wealth.

Psalm 73:12

But - even if it appears that they have everything we could possibly need or want, we must recognize that they do not have what we hold most dear...they do not have God.

Those who are far from you will perish;
   you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

Psalm 73:23

I do not believe that any of us wish harm on another person - regardless of how much that person may have hurt you. But the reality is that those who turn their backs on God and seek to place something in His place (money, position, prestige, popularity, etc.) will find that they are in fact walking on quick sand. Their lives may seem perfect, but their eternal life is destined to be a disaster.

Choosing to be good or to be evil seems pretty straight forward, but it is the hazy lines between what we desire and abiding with God which determine how well we will turn into God's embrace and turn away from the temptations of the world before us.

That book title, "Midnight in the Garden of Good & Evil" is pretty much a vision of the place we have to make our most difficult choices in life. When the temptation is strong will you choose the side of good or will you be tempted by evil? You alone make that choice - and it is a choice.

Scripture

Psalm 73

Quote of the Day

"The devil's agents may be of flesh and blood, may they not?"

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

Question

When have you been tempted?