Tuesday, April 17, 2007

An Evil Intent/Spirit and Learning

By now the news of Virginia Tech has reached you at your blog or local newscasts, irregardless of where you are now. The tragedy has claimed many lives and left many injured, needless to say, this was a needless crime and left many broken. It left me thinking about the person who did it and what his mentality must of been; an 'evil spirit'.

By the word spirit I mean 'intent'; the intent of the perpetrator was 'evil' so thusly he had an 'evil spirit'. The person had become evil in his thoughts and then committed an atrocious act in which many innocent people (and their families) suffered a horrible consequence. He had besieged his life 'aura' with the intents of evil for which he could act upon - I am guessing many years in the making. What was the good creation of God now reflected an evil aura of a person. Or as the old saying goes 'evil is as evil does'.

How does this relate to Virgina Tech? Had the perpetrator thought about his life and intents - had he really challenged his life for a better direction (repent/change) - this was all avoidable. The real problem started when the perpetrator let things into his mind concerning 'evil', about vicious hatred for his neighbor, and lastly decided on plans of action for the 'evil' intent. If someone says he was 'possessed by an evil spirit' they are accurate - he became 'owned by his his own evil intent/spirit/persona' that it produced a horrible consequence. The actions spoke about someone so 'evil' that most of us have a tough time comprehending his thoughts.

I have seen the media play the blame game (ex: ban handguns) about 'why this happened'. The problem is they want to find blame from exterior circumstances when we know who did it, with what, and are slowly coming to realization of 'what he was thinking'. The problem is never removed from the perpetrator (in all situations I have seen) and will not be found in better legislation (of which many of us hope). The problem starts in the human heart (ie: mind, emotions, values, and perspective on life) and works from the 'evil intents' of a human being - by human means. Then we realize the chaos and perplexity of the human with undealt/unresolved issues.

What is note-worthy is 'what do we learn from such a moment'? The idea of 'repent' makes a lot of sense for all of us. Unless we also change our thinking about our neighbor than these horrible things will continue to linger in society (for someone will also hold these grudges of evilness and then one day 'act upon them'). The change needs to start with us, then work forward in our interactions with others - we need to reflect a 'good spirit/intent/persona' - one that allows us to work one with another for the betterment of our lives. The idea starts with us and we present it in our actions to those around us. In the end, we present a life (a life's spirit) that represents a 'good way of living' and in essence, changes those who know us.

We need to learn from the tears we see shed, the pain that happens to those who do not deserve the consequences, and the fear inflicted upon the victims. We need to honor the victims by living a life that helps to prevent this from happening - vis a vis - a healthy lifestyle that seeks the best for all people we interact with (who knows maybe you stop the next perpetrator by friendship). I am seek to honor those slain, and playing blame with the scenario does little for anyone, but honor comes when we stand opposed to letting the same evil from the perpetrator into our spirits/intents....which can simply be seen as 'not caring for human life/his neighbor'. All I am asking is 'let's care a little more for those around us in desperation' - lest we see others fall to this damage over and over again. Peace.

3 comments:

HeIsSailing said...

SocietyVs
"The problem starts in the human heart (ie: mind, emotions, values, and perspective on life) and works from the 'evil intents' of a human being - by human means."

This is very true. If I were to totally abandon Christianity tomorrow, I will take with it much of great value and wisdom, and this is an example of that. Jesus' words from his Sermon on the Mount are tough, but are true. Whosoever hates his brother in his heart has already committed murder. Because that is where all evil actions begin.

more:
"We need to honor the victims by living a life that helps to prevent this from happening - vis a vis - a healthy lifestyle that seeks the best for all people we interact with (who knows maybe you stop the next perpetrator by friendship). "

Very true, and it sucks that tragedys like this are needed to remind us of these basic things. Let us always dwell on this wisdom for the rest of our days. For me, all I can do is love my family the best I can, and and love my neighbor to the fullness that my heart will allow.

Thanks for a great article.

Jim Jordan said...

Good stuff, society
I was impressed by the solidarity of the students in the wake of the tragedy. We will never know though if a person could have stepped out and befriended this troubled young man and helped lead him to a different future. This tragedy is a reminder that we aren't here to simply love our Christian friends but to love those who are unloved or even unlovable. Again we are reminded of our debt to love one another and to be doers of the Word, not just hearers.
Peace to you as well.

SocietyVs said...

Thanks HIS and Jim for the wise words - much appreciated and reminds me that there is a lot of living yet to do.