Calling Evil Good
Psalm 32:1-2
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. (Psalm 32:2).
The Bible uses the word “Iniquity” to speak of sin. “Iniquity” means to “call good evil and evil good”
My niece sent me the following story which I feel describes “iniquity” in the life of a child.
Little Carol’s birthday was coming up and she thought this was a good time to tell her mother what she wanted. "Mom, I want a bike for my birthday."
Now, Carol was a bit of a troublemaker. She had gotten into trouble at school and at home. Carol's mother asked her if she thought she deserved to get a bike for her birthday. Little Carol, of course, thought she did.
Carol's mother recommended that she write a letter to God and tell him why she deserved a bike for her birthday. Little Carol stomped up the steps to her room and sat down to write God a letter.
LETTER 1: Dear God:
I have been a very good girl this year and I would like a bike for my birthday. I want a red one.
Your friend,
Carol
Carol knew this wasn't true. She had not been a very good girl this year, so she tore up the letter and started over.
LETTER 2: Dear God:
This is your friend Carol. I have been a pretty good girl this year, and I would like a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol
Carol knew this wasn't true either. She tore up the letter and started again.
LETTER 3: Dear God:
I know I haven't been a good girl this year. I am very sorry. I will be a good girl if you just send me a red bike for my birthday.
Thank you,
Carol
Carol knew, even if it was true, this letter was not going to get her a bike. By now, she was very upset. She went downstairs and told her mother she wanted to go to church. Carol's mother thought her plan had worked and that Carol was going to ask God to forgive her for being bad and to help her to be better.
Carol walked down the street to the church and up to the altar. She looked she say a statue of the Virgin Mary. Looking around and seeing no one there, she picked up the statue and ran out of the church, into her house, and up to her room. She shut the door and sat down and wrote her letter to God.
LETTER 4: I GOT YOUR MAMA. IF YOU WANT TO SEE HER AGAIN, SEND THE BIKE. Signed,
YOU KNOW WHO
Too often we are like little Carol. We present ourselves as being better than we really know we are. Then we try to bargain with God to get what we want.
Lord, help me to recognize and admit that I am not as good as I could be.
