[Biblemat] Article - Influence for Evil

[GLClair at aol.com]

INFLUENCE FOR EVIL 
[Setting an Example of Evil for Others] 
Most people living in America today pride themselves with the constitutional 
guarantee of freedom. This concept says that every American possesses the 
right of “life, liberty, and happiness”. Now, let us examine these three facts of 
assumed rights so that we might get some idea how these ideas [i.e. 
constitutional guarantees] may be interpreted. 
The introduction to this dissertation describes three points of interest to 
the person seeking reasons for the actions of people in America. Let us examine 
each of these three words and see what we can determine about those who live 
their lives conscious of them. 
1.         LIFE – This word involves living [i.e. having a right to live, 
exist]. While life ought to be precious to everyone and that feeling extended to 
others an individual may also interpret that “life” as much to others as unto 
himself. This may cause a person to unilaterally attack others for a 
multitude of personal reasons [i.e. real or imaginary]. Perhaps one of the flaws in man
’s understanding of human interaction may pit himself against others without 
realizing why he does this. Life is a gift from God and every person has this 
as a possession yet the government also guarantees that this [i.e. life, 
existence] is a valid right everyone possesses.  
2.         LIBERTY – This word guarantees that those citizens with life also 
possess liberty. Now liberty is a person’s right to live as they please 
without infringement upon the rights and privileges of other people. This quality 
means deprive any other person of their life and liberty [i.e. freedom to do, 
act, interact, think]. Liberty is what makes many people choose to do things 
that will deprive others of their rights and to violate established laws. This 
action of many to negatively use their life and liberty creates problem for the 
whole structure of a family, a community, and the nation. Whenever liberty is 
used to hurt rather than to coexist peacefully some action must be undertaken 
by the powers that be to curtail this action – God in His Written Word has 
also indicated that government [i.e. the powers that be] are to keep peace 
through law for the good of all, cf. Romans 13:1-8, “1 Let every soul be in 
subjection to the higher powers: for there is no power but of God; and the (powers) 
that be are ordained of God. 2 Therefore he that resisteth the power, 
withstandeth the ordinance of God: and they that withstand shall receive to themselves 
judgment. 3 For rulers are not a terror to the good work, but to the evil. And 
wouldest thou have no fear of the power? do that which is good, and thou shall 
have praise from the same: 4 for he is a minister of God to thee for good. 
But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in 
vain: for he is a minister of God, an avenger for wrath to him that doeth evil. 
5 Wherefore (ye) must needs be in subjection, not only because of the wrath, 
but also for conscience' sake. 6 For this cause ye pay tribute also; for they 
are ministers of God's service, attending continually upon this very thing. 7 
Render to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute (is due); custom to whom 
custom; fear to whom fear; honor to whom honor. 8 Owe no man anything, save to 
love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law” ASV 
3.         PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS - This guarantee establishes God’s intention 
[AND OUGHT TO BE THE INTENTION OF THE SIGNERS OF THE CONSTITUTION]. Life, 
liberty and the pursuit of happiness is connected here in that the purpose of God 
and the formers of this republic understood that the “pursuit of happiness” 
was dependant upon “life” and “liberty”. Indeed, there can be no pursuit of 
happiness without life [i.e. existence] and liberty [i.e. the right to do, 
act].  
God planned for man to have these rights and these rights are to be protected 
by the government. Yet, we see these guarantees of God and the formers of our 
republic abused and violated by ungodly men and women who do not value, 
honesty, integrity, the life of other people, the property of other people, and the 
rights of other people, from these who are so evil breeds terrorist, murders, 
bombers, and many forms of evil that besets our country. What is the 
solution? I do not know but this I do Know, if we place our confidence and lives in God
’s hands by becoming and living our lives as faithful Christians we have 
nothing to fear, cf. Hebrews 13:5-6, “5 Be ye free from the love of money; content 
with such things as ye have: for himself hath said, I will in no wise fail the
e, neither will I in any wise forsake thee. 6 So that with good courage we 
say, The Lord is my helper; I will not fear: What shall man do unto me?” ASV 

Garreth L. Clair 
April 19, 2007 
_glclair at aol.com_ (mailto:glclair at aol.com)  



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