"Wickedness Roars"

"They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion." (Psalms 22:13) As we imagine what this scene must have looked like, I am reminded of the scene that I saw upon the news last night, and how otherwise peaceful people can become extremely violent when the right buttons are pushed and when they are part of a raging mob. There really is no other way to describe what happens in the inner man, other than the title of today's post; a title that is addressing the evil that is embedded deep within the heart of man, and when released, it is just "as a ravening and roaring lion". At the point when this happens to anyone, there is really no telling what they are capable of doing to their fellow man, or even their own; much like the anger that is stirred up in the heat of a domestic argument that has gotten way out of control. Every little ounce of wickedness that is trapped inside is brought out to be used, just as a loin will with all of it's strength tear at the prey it is trying to take down. All of these religious leaders were men of God and were usually men that held themselves together, not given over to burst of rage or anger; yet, as they were also men separated from God because of sin, they were unable to have any control of that sin which dwelt within themselves. It is really kind of scary what we are capable of, if given over to the wickedness that dwells within our hearts. If you think that you don't have any wickedness within you, think again; because within this heart of flesh is still the ability to be given over to sin and outbursts of anger; I have many times had such moments that I wish I could take back, having stupidly roared like a lion at someone that I cared about and otherwise would have never intended to hurt. Can you see what I am trying to say, and how angry and ugly these men of God were acting towards Jesus as they were having Him crucified? It is more than just their anger that is being demonstrated, it is evil being released from deep within and the provoking of the devil himself; it is something that is almost beyond their ability to control. Have you ever been so angry that you have questioned your salvation? Well I have, and it is scary! It is something that wants to come out, and it is something that we must not let happen; because when we do, we are actually giving into the flesh, and not yielding to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us to not be angry, but we really need to be filled with the Holy Spirit and not yielding to those things of the flesh, and we must avoid being tempted by the devil. I have been taught and believe that we are what we eat: when we feed the flesh, we tend to live in the flesh; if we feed the Spirit, then we will live in the Spirit. When we give into sin, then we give the devil something to hold up against us as our weakness; thereby making us ashamed and vulnerable to sin the more. That chance for wickedness that is inside everyone of us is only made strong when it is given nourishment, therefore we must avoid feeding the flesh, because that lion, when it comes out, is going to do some damage... "From whence come wars and fighting among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members? Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not. Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts. Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. Do ye think that the Scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? But He giveth more grace. Wherefore He saith, God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace unto the humble. Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. Be afflicted and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and joy to heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up." (James 4:1-10)