Social events of our time are nothing new. The book of Ecclesiastes states that """"nothing is new under the sun."""" Considering our history, what would be considered new is the outright rejection of evil and a personal movement towards acts of obedience. It is one thing to say all the """"right"""" things but to speak without words in our momentary carriage and demeanor examples is another and more powerful statement of personal depth of understanding than """"words uttered to the wind."""" Today validation from others is more important than making a personal demonstrative effort of exemplifying what it is we truly believe and then speaking or answering why we believe """"the way"""" we do. The court of public opinion hungers for knowledge that is gleaned from understanding. Our walk with Jesus in this world is indeed troubling to the evil one that temporarily rules it. Deceitful devices of all manner of ways are formed in a moment to tarnish our being and prevent us from gaining understanding - one of God's seven Spirits. We go about our lives recognizing evil and rationalize to ourselves """"God will take care of it"""" and go about our business not involving ourselves - self-preservation or lack of intestinal fortitude? Of course He will take care of it and more, but you have just failed to """"see"""" or recognize the opportunity to edify - wherever your station in life may be. More importantly, exercised poised vigilance to edify whenever the opportunity presents itself is indeed but one cunning weapon against evil. My Lord Jesus' words are of one of profound depth but yet He is revealed as tender and forthright. We also should strive for a balance to be forthright in our thoughts and speech but yet exemplify tenderness in the content of those words. | Crown of Thorns by Denise Perez, Paperback | Indigo Chapters