Recognizing Wickedness

You remember a few days ago when I posted the meme about how we're waiting on God to heal the land, but he's waiting on us to turn from our wicked ways?  I'm not going to call anyone out specifically, but some of the responses I got on that post really made me wonder.  Those responses are what prompted me to say that people in this country don't even recognize evil any more.  

Then, a couple of days ago, I saw a meme on Facebook where someone was implying Donald Trump is the anti-Christ and a MAGA hat is the mark of the beast.  

Seriously?  When did we get so spiritually stupid in this country?  And fair is fair, I saw the far right making the same claim about Obama when he was president, which just goes to show, it's not political problem, but rather a heart problem.  But still, it raises the question, how can we turn from our wicked ways when so many of us don't even recognize wickedness any more?  

In the light of that, I thought for today's post, we'd have a little fun trying to discern between what is good and what is evil.  I'm going to present some scenarios with two possible responses, and you'll guess which response is the good one, and which is the evil one. 

Ready?  OK..

Scenario 1:  

A political candidate is holding a rally prior to election day.  The candidate is giving an inspiring speech, and the crowd is really getting into it.  Suddenly, from the audience, someone shouts, "Jesus is lord!  Jesus is king!"

Response A:  The candidate replies, "Yes!  Jesus is king!" and the crowd erupts in cheers, which lasts for several minutes before the speech can continue.  

Response B:  The candidate replies, "Oh, you guys are at the wrong rally!" with a laugh, and the crowd erupts in cheers which last for several minutes before the speech can continue.

Scenario 2:  It's almost time to vote for the president, so you decide to attend some political rallies.  You put on a t-shirt supporting your chosen candidate, then go to the rally of the candidate from the opposing party. 

Response A:  Despite your obvious support for the opposition, you are greeted warmly with hand shakes, back slaps, and are made to feel welcome.  The other attendees listen to your viewpoints, then respond with their own.  Most people are friendly, and all are courteous and respectful.  

Response B:  The minute you walk in, the other attendees start screaming insults at you, calling you names and cursing at you.  They tell you to go {bleep} yourself, or to shoot yourself in the head.  You are spit upon, have urine thrown on you, and are told to get out, that you aren't welcome there.  Someone tells you that she hopes your daughters are raped, and someone else says you need to die in a fire.  

Now, in each of the above scenarios, which response do you thing would be the godly one, and which the evil one?  It should be pretty obvious, right?  Yet, you might be surprised to know that half of America thinks those who would reply with Response A would be the evil ones -- even some who attend church regularly.  Because we have become so comfortable with evil, we no longer recognize it.  

But before you get all high and mighty and self-righteous, and start pointing fingers, let's try one last scenario:

A family is visiting the zoo when their young son manages to slip away from his parents and somehow enter the gorilla enclosure, attracting the attention of the big silverback.  Upon whose life do you place the greater value?

A:  The boy

B:  Harambe

Another one that should be quite obvious.

But somehow isn't.