Having Done Evil

            Having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  The answer for many is quite simple – nothing.  The pleasure derived from the evil is enticing enough to draw them back to that simple pleasure.  Thus, the evil is repeated and often with greater zeal.  This is especially true where there are no consequences or the consequence is minimal.  Unfortunately, consequence is often believed to occur only if one is found out.  For this one, there is no cost for the evil done.  This conscienceless individual cares nothing if another is hurt by the evil done.  In fact, it is this hurt that is often the object of the evil perpetuated.  So, the evil continues, dragging the one caught up in it done to an abyss so full of darkness sight is impossible, life becomes death, and self is no more.  At this state all individuality is given over to the Prince of Darkness and hope is no more.  Which brings us back to the original question.

                Having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  All are born with an innate conscience.  This conscience is somewhat of a nag.  It is always there to remind us that the cost of doing evil is very high, the consequences can be eternal.  Most of us want more from life than to be given to darkness.  This doesn’t mean that there is no pleasure in evil.  It simply means that the price for the pleasure is too much.  I once tried mescaline, a very powerful illegal hallucinogenic.  It scared me.  Not because it was scary in and of itself.  It frightened me because I liked it and I knew that if I gave myself to its enticement that I would only live for the pleasure it could bring, even though that pleasure was not based in reality.  I wanted more from life, so I never took it again.  I’m not saying that is the only reason people run from evil, but it is a powerful reason.  By our striving to not do evil again we find that life has more to offer.  Life offers more for less than evil does.  There is no abyss when one is given to doing that which is good.  Instead of sinking into darkness, one is transported into light.  Carried to its extreme, goodness introduces us to heavenly treasure.  We find a God who offers gifts that exceed what evil can give to an infinitesimal degree!  Sight is deepened, life becomes eternal, and hope soars.

            We are human and we err.  The question is not whether or not we do evil.  We will do evil, without question.  Thus, having done evil, what keeps one from doing more?  Choose to do no more.  Choose life.