I’m sure you’ve probably heard that 60 is the new 40. Or something to that effect. Right? I’ve got another one for you. Bad is the new good. And I promise I’m not up to no good.
How about three examples where bad is the new good?
Let’s say a father curses at and beats his son. And the son discovers words of wisdom in the Bible and imparts compassion to his own son. (or, who knows, maybe even his father)
Then, there’s this one. A mother drinks too much every day and belittles her daughter. And the daughter discovers the great women of Bible and passes on those stories to her own daughters, friends, and other women. (or, who knows, maybe even her mother)
Finally, how about a famous athlete has a public tirade as a result of drugs and too much adoration for his abilities? But then a young Christian boy sees this and uses it as an opportunity to learn how to focus on others, establish foundations for the less fortunate, and create a legacy of giving.
Yeah, those are actually examples of where something bad happens that motivates somebody to do something good. Not actually where bad IS the new good. But I think you catch my drift.
Anyway…
In 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 Paul uses examples of the people who followed Moses out of captivity and into the wilderness. He says “but with most of them God was not well pleased” and that “their bodies were scattered in the wilderness”.
Paul shows us how we can use what they did as examples of what not to do. Most of them just wanted to eat, drink, have sex, and complain. Ironic isn’t it? After all…if all you had to do was eat, drink, and have sex…what would there be to complain about? Ponder that for a second.
Have you noticed anything like that going on in the world these days?
Here in America we have it exponentially easier than our forefathers. Most people can easily and comfortably sit around watching TV or playing video games.. And they can at a cornucopia of foods and snacks without ever lifting a hand to grow any of that food. And they even believe they can have sex anytime, anywhere, and with anyone they want. With no consequences. Because, you know, consenting adults, and all that jazz.
But, even while they do all that, they complain about how rough and tough and unfair life is. And they start to believe the stupidest kinds of lies. Like, if only they could somehow get their hands on the wealth and resources of rich people, their lives would be infinitely better.
That, my fine feathered friend, is envy.
And it’s not only a false assumption…it’s a sin.
Sin is the word used to describe those things which will lead to death. God doesn’t want you to sin because He knows it’ll kill you.
He designed you, and He knows what makes you tic. And what makes you sick. That’s why He put so many examples of sinful men in the Bible. And that’s why I said there are many times when bad is the new good. Because several of those men learned hard lessons and turned their lives back to God. And their examples can help you and me avoid those same mistakes.
It isn’t always happy.
It isn’t always sad.
And with a little understanding,
It isn’t always bad. © 1978 TF
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