Guard your thoughts.

I have purposely not posted about the shooting at Virginia Tech this week. It's not that I think it's wrong to blog about it, (I've read some really good posts this week) It's just that I am saddened and horrified by the shooting...so is everyone else, I had nothing to "add".

As this week has gone on though, we have seen the release of the Virginia Tech gunman's video and pictures. ("Thanks" NBC, that's exactly what he wanted, fame, but at least your ratings went up a little!) Later in the week we were "treated" to hearing Alec Baldwins phone tirade left as a message for his eleven year old daughter. ("Thanks Mommy Kim" for leaking the message, sure your daughter is humiliated but at least you have more leverage in your custody case.) The only thing that made these two stories even partially "make sense" to me are these words of Jesus-

A good person produces good deeds from a good heart, and an evil person produces evil deeds from an evil heart. Whatever is in your heart determines what you say. (Luke 6:45 nlt)

In no way am I trying to excuse any of the horrible actions that have taken place this week, whether they made the national news or not. It's just that we have an enemy, Satan. He's not the mischievous imp sitting on our shoulder with some "interesting" plans for how we could spend next Friday night. Instead, Satan, is a thief and a liar, a rip-off artist, the ultimate con man. Contrary to what some might teach, Satan is not just interested in "persecuting" church goers. (In fact, I'm pretty sure he is very happy with how so many of them our wasting their life on materialism, a worship of religious knowledge, and self centered "Me-ism") Instead, the entire world is in his "service area" and he's very successful at ripping us off by trading temporary crap, (fame, money, sex, drugs, status, etc.) for the good and eternal plans God has for each of us.

Here's where this effects all of us. Not just Hollywood people, crazy gunmen types, and radio shock jocks...all of us. There are no "thoughtless" actions! Whatever is in our "hearts" will eventually be what we say and do. Constantly thinking lustful thoughts? Satan is ready and willing to "trade" your family, future, and character for some steamy sex. Constantly filled with bitterness and anger? Satan is ready and willing to "trade" your relationship with someone you love for a verbal/physical tirade that will "let off some steam" and feel so good. Constantly envious of how "good" others have it? Satan is "standing by". As Jesus taught so many years ago, guard your thoughts. The "truth about you" will always come out...