Sudden Realizations

[Symphony]

There's a better name for this, but do any of you ever have 'sudden realizations', when you see things, even for just a moment, in a sort of clarity - things seem, all of a sudden, very crystal clear?

I have them once in a while.


Today, after interacting in some business, with others generally, I became suddenly aware of how easily human beings digress into less-than-savory dealings - with each other, sometimes over and against others, seeking advantage, seeking spite, -- a veritable 'smorgasbord' of human emotions, ambitions and various gradations of malice, over and against other human beings - quite 'slithery', actually, quite snake-like.

And all in possibly how someone shakes your hand, or in what someone tosses off in a casual manner as just a typical 'remark', but later on you discover is loaded with meaning - usually not very positve meaning.

And at first in reflection, I'd wished I'd thot to reply frankly then and there; but now, glad I was slow to speak, and not to quick on the draw.

Ignorance, or dullness of mind, sometimes has its advantages.  I'm glad I didn't reply.

Deep - or rather, not so deep underneath it all, is that slithery snake.  Ooooo.  It reminds me of those lawyers hosting Tom Cruise for the first time, in "The Firm".  Outwardly just another normal day.  But you soon found out....


And in my case today, it was so obvious.  The obvious conflict of interests - and people involved professional people - they would know better.  But there it was, plain as day.  

And all quite slithery, quite evil.   Very wicked people.

Our society is very wicked.  We are very wicked people.

We design on each other, and do it in broad daylight.  And we shake each other's hand.


"Behold, I send you amidst wolves..."

[2nd Timothy]

YES!  I have experienced this.   Actually, its very easy to be drawn into this if one is not careful too.   Like you say, its very subtle and our sin nature wants to go along with it.  Our American society is full of this so called controlled slithery (if you can call it that).  Not to change the subject, but I  was watching a show on the history channel last night about the conflict in Liberia, and could not believe the level of evil and violence that happens there.   I have no doubt, that our so called tame society here in America could stoop to that level under the right conditions.   Just imagine your colleagues dealings within an all out survival mode for life.  That slithering within all of us is capable of unimaginable evil when it becomes full grown and unsupressed.   Just a snapshop of what the Tribulation period has in store for mankind I think.

Grace and Peace!

[sincereheart]

We design on each other, and do it in broad daylight.  And we shake each other's hand.

It's sad and disheartening at best.   And all we can do is let the Lord lead us to try and do what's right. He knows -- and He's still in control. But seeing the ugly is, well, ugly. And if you do or say anything that that even comes off as disapproval, you're turned on. *sigh* And I see it online, too. Manipulation and back-stabbing and all the worst of human nature. I fight the frustration of seeing those who do it and the frustration of those who have no clue.   So I turn it over to God again!  

[Symphony]

Yes, that's true, sincere, you have to be turning it over to Him.  I'm glad I'm too slow in some situations; if I were as lightening as some others, I know I'd do or say something I'd regret.  Ignorance has its advantages.  

You certainly hit the nail on the head, Tim:   I have no doubt, that our so called tame society here in America could stoop to that level under the right conditions.  Just imagine your colleagues dealings within an all out survival mode for life.

It's easy for me to say it, b/c at the moment I'm not being threatened with being carved up with a machete, but I could say in these dealings I mentioned above, I feel like I'm being carved up - an in exchanges that outwardly to any observer would probably appear as routine or business-like as any other.  But when you know the behind-the-scenes workings of some of it, it's anything but.  

The internecine part makes me think it's no different.  I guess if a brood of african thugs with machetes was approaching right now, I'd be wishing for the "peace and safety of America".

But after being involved in some of this stuff, and not very deeply involved actually - just deep enough to get a clue or two, I fail to see much difference.

It's a predator world.  It really is a world of predators.  Everyone serving up each other for lunch(tho they call it "joing each other for lunch"). Everyone has his own argument.  And everyone, in his own eyes, is completely 'right'.  And we all sit observing the other party with feasting eyes, like the wolf with Little Red Riding Hood.

But it's like the "tame society" so called, that you mention, is anything but, anyway - without any guns or swords.  I've had an accomplished, professional banker tell me point blank he couldn't trust any of those working directly under him.  And an accomplished, professional artist, well-known, who said he had no friends in the art world - had to go outside to make any friends.  His art was rich and dramatic; I guess everyone disliked him for that.  He seemed a humble man, and just kept to his work.  But always won awards.

We aren't doing it physically, but it's still going on.  Africa is physical.  America's is invisiable, I guess we'd say.  

All very disappointing - to go to professional people, so-called, - accountants, lawyers, bankers, doctors, and suddenly realize the person across the desk is really as conniving as the drunk out there on the sidewalk - probably much more so.  The only difference is is that he is concealing it under suit, tie and, I hate to say it, even stethoscope.

Surgeons have to keep the hospital operating, just as bankers have to keep the bank running.

And everyone is just consuming each other.  But very few even realize what they are doing, or taking part in.  Under the 'guise' of professional pursuits, or whatever.

"...for whatever does not proceed from faith, is sin...", Romans 14:23b.

[Reba]

Phil 4:7-8

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
KJV

[Shylynne]

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Rom 12:2

[Symphony]

thank you shylynne, reba...

Phil 4:7-8

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
KJV

[Willowbirch]

We design on each other, and do it in broad daylight.  And we shake each other's hand.

Do you read Credenda Agenda?
They have a lot of deadly quotes like these that reflect the danger we are in before God.

[Symphony]

Credenda Agenda.  Hmm.  No, I'm not familiar with it.  Catchy title.


...the danger we are in before God...


Now there's a topic.

Thanks be to God for His inexpressable gift in Jesus Christ.

What would be some bible verses reflecting that premise?

He is a consuming fire? (Hebrews?)

It is a terrible thing to fall into the hands of the living God? (?)