Reading for Today:
Proverb Chapter 4
Gold Nugget
Verse 14: “Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do
not walk in the way of evil.”
Commentary
Misery loves company and evil people need associates and
victims. A friend reminded me recently
of our ability to enable these people without even intending to. It only takes
one link to break a chain. Some chains are for bonding while others are for
bondage. It is constructive for people to bind together in unity and strength,
but often chains are used for bondage and need to be broken. In 1980 the United
States and 59 other nations refused to send their Olympic teams to the Moscow
Olympics as a protest against the Soviet invasion and occupation of
Afghanistan. Those with evil and destructive intentions are fueled by
tolerance, association or willing victims. Disassociation with those of evil
intent can often be the most effective form of interference. The effective act
of boycotting can be the wisest form of protecting yourself and others. You can
curtail these destructive acts by boycotting with disassociation, refusal to be
their victim or refusing to be tolerant of those that would victimize others.
Often times we can just decide to “Not Go There”. Whether we refuse to
participate with someone harmful or refuse to be harmed by them, we can lose
our edge by continuing in the situation, discussion or association. If I don’t
respond to their e-mails, text messages, phone calls or encounters they cannot
victimize me. However; if I continue to respond to their attacks it will only
encourage them. I will not provide fuel for those who wish to harm me or
others. There is a present celebrity that has a very low approval rating, but
extremely high TV rating. She is known by TV producers as a “ratings booster”.
Even though the polls prove that America doesn't even like her, we can't seem
to disassociate with her. As long as she is a “ratings booster”, we will have
to keep on seeing her on magazine covers and TV programs. If we really want to
put a stop to bad behavior, we need to learn how to break free from harmful
people and situations.
Prayer
Lord, help me to
see people that are destructive in my life and give me the boldness to defend
others by boycotting these harmful people. I know there is a fine line on when
is the right time to separate myself from certain people, but I know you can
show me when and who. Amen
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